RICHMOND, Va. – Brevin Galloway poured in a career-high 22 points including the College of Charleston's first 10 points in a hard-fought 78-71 battle at Richmond on Saturday night at the Robins Center.
 
The Cougars (5-5) got off to a 12-4 start behind Galloway's defense and long-range 3-pointers a day removed from his 22nd birthday. The Spiders would respond with their own run to take a 39-31 lead at halftime.
 
Riller, who had four points in the first half, went to work in the second finishing with 21 points. Sam Miller came off the bench to give Charleston a spark and drained a career-high tying three treys to end the night with a career-best 16 points in 28 minutes of action.
 
CofC never trailed by double digits and kept it close throughout the second half. The Cougars got it within five twice including a layup by Miller with 2:40 left and trailing 71-66.
 
The Spiders (9-1) remain unbeaten at home behind the play of Blake Francis, who had a team-high 20 points, and big man Grant Golden inside with 17 points and seven rebounds.
 
CofC will return home for its final two non-conference tilts next week that kicks off with another Atlantic 10 Conference power in VCU (7-2) on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. (ET) at TD Arena. Tickets can still be purchased to the game by calling (843) 953-COFC or going online at: www.CofCSports.com/tickets
 
POSTGAME NOTES
• For the 10th time this season, College of Charleston went with the starting five of Zep Jasper, Grant Riller, Brevin Galloway, Jaylen McManus and Osinachi Smart (5-5).
• Richmond takes a one-game, 3-2 lead in the all-time series with College of Charleston. The Spiders remain an undefeated 3-0 in the series when playing at home.
• Grant Riller recorded 21 points against Richmond and became only the third player in program history to join the 2,000-Career Point Club next to CofC all-time greats Andrew Goudelock (2007-11) and Ken Gustafson (1971-75). It marked his seventh 20-point game of the season extending his double-digit scoring streak to 38-conseutive games. He has now tabulated 2,004 career points to date and still ranks third in career scoring behind Goudelock and Gustafson.
• Brevin Galloway registered a career-high 22 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field at Richmond. He also brought down a season-high five rebounds and career-best five steals. It marked his sixth double-figure scoring game of the season and 19th of his career.
• Sam Miller came off the bench and turned in a career-high 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field and tied a career-high with three 3-pointers in a single game against Richmond.
 
POSTGAME QUOTES
College of Charleston Head Coach Earl Grant
On the game …
"Richmond is a good team. I give them credit. Every time we made a mistake those guys made us pay. They executed and they were very poised. They looked like a veteran team. Coach (Mooney) is doing a great job with the program. It was a challenge and hard out there. We tried to do some things in the first half and they continued to make shots and execute the offense. It was one of the more challenging games I've coached in – in terms of a team that's really got purpose about what they are trying to do. Kudos to the Spiders."
 
On Grant Riller getting more aggressive in the second half…
"Richmond really had a good scheme. They really worked hard to push us and catch us. What I did was move him (Grant Riller) to the point guard from the wing. I put him at the head of the ball. I thought he did a good job of making good decisions at the rim and looking for his teammates. I thought Sam Miller came in and gave us a great lift by making some shots and scoring around the basket. That was the only adjustment we made (in the second half) was put the ball in Grant's hand."
 
On Richmond's Jacob Gilyard …
"He's a general and I watched all of their games. He runs their team. Obviously, he is a great leader and is always poised. He makes a lot of havoc on the defense, by just getting steals and being at the right place at the right time. He is constantly looking for his teammates. He is a very good point guard and I am happy for his success."