LEXINGTON, Va. ? Buoyed by 15-straight points by Chavis Holmes over the final 3:02 in regulation, the VMI Keydets won their sixth-consecutive game Wednesday evening, knocking off the Richmond Spiders 73-70 in a non-conference matchup at Cameron Hall.

The win moves VMI to 10-2 overall, and extends its best start since 1976-77, when the team opened the season 22-1.

The Keydets have now won ten games prior to New Year's Day for the first time on record, are 6-0 at home for the first time since 1995-96 and have won nine of their past 10 games. In addition, the contest marks the second-consecutive game VMI has rallied from a halftime deficit to win.

With the loss, the Spiders fall to 7-6 on the season.

With Richmond up by seven, the Spiders' largest lead of the game, Chavis Holmes was fouled attempting a three-pointer with just over three minutes remaining. The senior guard made all three free throws, cutting the deficit to four, and the Charlotte, N.C. native was not done. He continued the run with a jumper at 2:01, and a pair of free throws at 1:42. Finally, he hit the game-tying three-pointer with 1:13 remaining, bringing the partisan 3,109 fans to their feet.

Richmond answered with a single free throw by guard Kevin Anderson, who led Richmond with 23 points. The teams then exchanged turnovers, and the Spiders maintained their one-point advantage as VMI held possession with under 20 seconds remaining. Chavis Holmes responded, nailing the go-ahead three-pointer from the right wing, and bringing a roar from the Cameron Hall crowd as VMI took a two-point lead, 71-69.

Richmond's Anderson was fouled moments later, but missed one of the two ensuing free throws, allowing Chavis Holmes to seal the win with two free throws that accounted for the final margin, 73-70.

The first half featured back-and-forth action, with Richmond holding a small lead at halftime, 37-33. The teams swapped the advantage nine times in the first 20 minutes, and the score was tied on four different occasions. Austin Kenon led VMI with 13 points, while Anderson had 13 points for Richmond in the opening frame. VMI stayed in the game despite being outrebounded 23-12, and in spite of trailing 18-4 in points in the paint.

The Keydets came out in the second half with a 7-0 run, taking a 40-37 advantage with 17:44 to play. Chavis Holmes scored four of the seven points in the run, but Richmond responded, and went back in front less than two minutes later.

The teams volleyed scores for the next several minutes, with neither squad able to take more than a three-point advantage until the 5:43 mark, when Richmond's leading scorer, David Gonzalvez, made his second-consecutive field goal. The jumper gave the Spiders a five-point cushion, which was trimmed to three on a Keith Gabriel jumper at 4:55, VMI's final basket by a player other than Chavis Holmes.

However, the visitors quickly answered, and pushed their advantage up to seven off a fast-break layup just moments later. That set the stage for Chavis Holmes' heroics and the game-ending 15-5 run, which began at the 3:02 mark.

VMI prevailed in the contest despite being outrebounded 44-27, including 19-9 on the offensive glass. The Keydets also failed to force 20 turnovers for the first time all year, and the squad's 73 points were its third-lowest output of the season.

The 73-point performance is also the third-lowest scoring output in a VMI win under current head coach Duggar Baucom, surpassed only by two games versus Army, the contest played Dec. 21, and a Dec. 8, 2005 win over the Black Knights. VMI scored 62 and 72 points respectively in those two contests.

For the game, VMI was led by Chavis Holmes, who scored 23 points, including 20 in the second half. Travis Holmes added 19, and Austin Kenon chipped in with 16 points. Richmond was led by Anderson, who notched 23 points while playing all 40 minutes of the contest.

The Keydets will return to action Saturday, as they travel to Boiling Springs, N.C., to battle Gardner-Webb in a Big South Conference contest. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Quotes --- VMI Head Coach Duggar Baucom:

“It was pretty hard fought. It was a tough game. You have to give Richmond credit, they have a very nice team. They are a lot better than their record indicates. They showed it tonight.”

“We had a little confrontational timeout in the second half. We got some things straight, and the guys said we're family , one team, and we believe in what we do. They took us at their word, good things started happening, and we started making plays that helped us down the stretch.”

“Chavis (Holmes) made two huge threes and his free throws. Thank goodness for Chavis in the second half and Austin (Kenon) in the first half. Austin played so well against Richmond last year, and for him to come out and play tonight and have 16 tonight was great. It was certainly a team effort. “

“Keith Gabriel didn't have his best game, but I thought he made a huge play where he got the goaltending call on his steal and drive in the second half. Willie Bell made a couple defensive plays in the end. I'm just excited...10-2 before the New Year...Who would have thought it.”

“It certainly wasn't our tempo in this game. I thought they imposed their will the majority of the game, but we were a little bit better in the second half. You have to win ugly sometimes, and you have to win playing other people's way.”