DAYTON, Ohio (Interstat) — The Richmond Spiders, powered by a blistering first-quarter offensive display and a record-setting performance from point guard Ally Sweeney, cruised to an 85-67 victory over the Dayton Flyers in an Atlantic 10 women’s basketball game Wednesday night at University of Dayton Arena.

The most important part of the game was its opening ten minutes, which effectively decided the contest. Richmond established immediate and overwhelming control, sprinting to a 27-15 lead after the first quarter. The Spiders’ offense was nearly flawless, connecting on 10 of their first 14 field goal attempts, including four three-pointers. Rachel Ullstrom, a 6-foot-1 guard from Auburn, Massachusetts, set the tone with 11 points in the period, including three shots from beyond the arc, while Alicia Newell added eight quick points. Dayton, by contrast, started cold and was plagued by missed opportunities, shooting just 7-of-19 from the floor and 1-of-4 from the free-throw line in the quarter. The early deficit proved insurmountable for the Flyers, who never got closer than nine points the rest of the way.

Sweeney, a 5-foot-6 junior from Sparta, New Jersey, was the orchestrator of Richmond’s efficient attack. She finished with 19 points and dished out a career-high 13 assists, directing an offense that committed only eight turnovers and posted an offensive rating of 138.8 points per 100 possessions. Her playmaking was central to Richmond shooting 57.4 percent from the field and 45.5 percent from three-point range as a team.

Ullstrom led all scorers with 26 points on 9-of-14 shooting, adding two assists and a block. Newell contributed 14 points off the bench, and forward Maggie Doogan of Broomall, Pennsylvania, added 13 points. The Spiders improved to 15-4 overall and 3-0 in conference play, extending their winning streak to four games.

Dayton, which fell to 9-8 overall and 2-2 in the A-10, was led by Nicole Stephens of Pickerington, Ohio, who scored 18 points. Olivia Leung of Calgary, Canada, added 11 points. The Flyers struggled mightily with their shooting, making just 42.4 percent of their field goals and a dismal 23.5 percent from three-point range. They also converted only 7 of 16 free throw attempts. Despite dominating the offensive glass with 21 rebounds, leading to 46 points in the paint, Dayton could not overcome its perimeter shooting woes and Richmond’s scorching start.

The Spiders’ first-quarter explosion provided a cushion that allowed them to withstand Dayton’s efforts to rally. The Flyers trimmed the lead to 38-28 at halftime and won the third quarter 20-21, but could never sustain a run to seriously threaten. Every time Dayton scored, Richmond answered, often with a three-pointer. The Spiders made 15 three-pointers in the game, outscoring Dayton by 33 points from long distance.

Richmond’s ball security and shot-making were the defining characteristics. With Sweeney at the helm, the Spiders assisted on all but a handful of their baskets and consistently generated high-percentage looks. Defensively, they forced 10 Dayton turnovers and limited the Flyers’ effectiveness despite the rebounding disparity.

A crowd of 2,437 at UD Arena saw the Flyers lose for the second time in three games. Richmond, which entered the game with a 90.4 percent probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system, validated that projection with a comprehensive road performance.

The Spiders will look to continue their conference momentum when they visit George Mason on Jan. 25. Dayton will aim to rebound quickly, traveling to face Saint Louis on Sunday.