Thomas sparks Bucknell to 86-78 victory over Richmond

Dec 19, 2017, 10:38 pm

RICHMOND, Va. -- Zach Thomas totaled 27 points on 9-of-13 shooting, including all three of his 3-pointers, and Bucknell got hot in the second half and rallied for an 86-78 victory over Richmond on Tuesday night.

Nana Foulland had 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Bison (5-7), who shot 59 percent (16 of 27) after intermission to erase an 11-point halftime deficit. Stephen Brown added 12 points, five rebounds and six assists, while reserve Nate Sestina chipped in with 10 points and seven boards. Thomas had 20 points in the second half.

De'Monte Buckingham scored 22 points for the Spiders (2-9), including 16 in the first half when Richmond opened up a 47-36 lead. Jacob Gilyard added 15 points, Grant Golden scored 14 with eight rebounds and Nick Sherod and Khwan Fore combined to score 21.

Richmond shot 61 percent (17 of 28) from the floor in the first half, but just 29 percent (9 of 31) in the second.

Sestina helped the Bison bench outscore their counterparts 28-6.

Sherod's 3-point play to open the second half stretched Richmond's lead to 50-36 and the Spiders led 63-56 at the midway point of the second half. But Thomas ignited the Bison rally with 10 straight points and Brown's jumper gave Bucknell the lead for good with 4:29 left to play.