Richmond 79, Charlotte 76

2/20/2008 8:37 PM

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -David Gonzalvez scored 12 of his 20 points from the 1:21 mark of the second half and overtime Wednesday night as Richmond rallied for a 79-76 victory against Charlotte.

The Spiders (14-10, 7-4 Atlantic 10) remained in a three-way tie for second place in the league with idle St. Joseph's and Temple, which beat St. Bonaventure.

The 49ers (14-11, 5-6) led 62-60 with 2:21 left in regulation, but Gonzalvez hit the last two baskets of regulation, tying the game at 62 with 25.7 seconds left.

After An'Juan Wilderness opened the overtime with a 3-pointer for Charlotte, Gonzalvez scored eight of Richmond's next nine points, tying the game at 71.

On the 49ers' next possession, Kevin Smith stole the ball from DiJuan Harris and fed Oumar Sylla, whose layup and free throw gave Richmond a 74-71 with 43.9 remaining. The Spiders stayed in front by making 6 of 7 free throws the rest of the way.

Charlotte led 34-25 at halftime after a 3-pointer by Lamont Mack at the buzzer.

The Spiders used a 16-2 run to take 41-40 lead in the second half. The 49ers responded with a 16-4 burst, and Richmond finished regulation on a 17-6 burst.

Kevin Anderson added 19 points and Dan Geriot 11 for Richmond.

Mack led Charlotte with a career-high 27 points and hit five 3-pointers. Wilderness was 8-for-8 from the field and added 18 points, and Charlie Coley scored 12.