Davidson's Dramatic Win: Bailey Scores 25 to Beat Richmond 69-65 in Atlantic 10 Tournament Opener!

In an exhilarating start to the Atlantic 10 Conference Tournament, the Davidson Wildcats triumphed over the Richmond Spiders with a nail-biting 69-65 victory on Wednesday in Washington. Leading the charge for Davidson was the standout Reed Bailey, who delivered an impressive performance, racking up 25 points to propel his team forward.

The Wildcats, seeded 12th, are now set to clash with fifth-seeded Saint Louis in Thursday’s quarterfinals, raising anticipation for another thrilling showdown.

Bailey showcased his scoring prowess throughout the game, hitting 10 of 19 attempts from the field, including 2 of 4 from beyond the arc, and went 3 for 5 at the charity stripe. He wasn't alone in the spotlight; Connor Kochera also had a spectacular outing, contributing 22 points with notable efficiency—shooting 7 for 11 from the floor, 2 of 4 from three, and 6 of 7 from free throws—while also grabbing six rebounds and dishing out five assists. Zach Laput added to the team’s success with 11 points, underscoring the Wildcats' well-rounded performance.

For Richmond (10-22), B. Artis White led the team with 17 points, while Mike Walz had a double-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Despite their efforts, the Spiders fell short against a determined Davidson squad.

The game was tightly contested, with Davidson holding a slim 34-32 lead at halftime. Bailey scored 14 of his points in the first half, setting the tone for the Wildcats. As the game came to a critical point, Kochera scored the last six points for Davidson, sealing their first-round victory and showcasing their resilience.

With this win, Davidson looks to build momentum as they advance in the tournament and chase their goal of a championship title. The excitement is palpable as fans await their next game against Saint Louis—will they continue to defy the odds? Stay tuned!