Jan. 7, 2011

PHILADELPHIA - Richmond Spiders at La Salle Explorers
Date: Saturday, January 8
Time: 4:00 PM
Location: Tom Gola Arena
Game: Atlantic 10
TV: Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic
Radio: WHAT 1340 AM

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La Salle Explorers (7-8, 0-1 A-10)
Conference: Atlantic 10

The Explorers are back at Tom Gola Arena on Saturday when they host Richmond in an Atlantic 10, regionally televised matchup (Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic). La Salle dropped its last game on Wednesday to George Washington, 72-67, despite a career-high 21 points from Earl Pettis.

Senior Jerrell Williams continues to lead the team in scoring (15.6 ppg.) and rebounding (8.7 rpg.) He also tops the Atlantic 10 in offensive rebounds per game (3.6 orpg.) and is seven points shy of becoming the 49th Explorer to reach 1,000 for his career.

Sophomore Aaric Murray (15.3 ppg., 8.1 rpg.) had 16 points against the Colonials and also leads the team in blocks (36). Senior Ruben Guillandeaux (13.3 ppg.) and Pettis (10.1 ppg.) round out four Explorers in double-figures.

Freshman Sam Mills is shooting 50.0% from three-point range this season, good for fourth in the A-10. He is 12 for his last 19 (63.1%) from long range and is averaging 9.0 ppg. in his last six games. He has made a three in six straight games and 10 out of his last 11.

La Salle hasn't had many problems scoring the basketball this season. The Explorer are ranked 29th nationally in scoring average (79.1), 34th in field goal percentage (48.0%) and 34th in assists (16.1). La Salle is second in the A-10 in all three categories. (All stats/rankings as of 1/3/11 via NCAA.com). LU has scored 80+ points eight times this season and is 5-3 in those games. Last year, La Salle scored 80+ points in nine games.

Richmond Spiders (12-4, 1-0 A-10)
Conference: Atlantic 10

Richmond has won four of its last five games and comes into Gola Arena with a 12-4 record, 1-0 in the Atlantic 10. Last time out, the Spiders defeated Charlotte, 71-59, behind 27 points from Justin Harper. UR has quality wins this season over Purdue, Arizona State, VCU, Seton Hall and Wake Forest.

Harper leads the team in scoring at 16.3 ppg. and rebounding (6.1 rpg.). Reigning Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Kevin Anderson adds 16.1 ppg. and a team best 3.8 apg. Darien Brothers (9.0 ppg.) and local product Dan Geriot (8.1 ppg.) round out the top four scorers.

The Series
The series between the two schools is tied at 12-12. La Salle has a 7-4 record in home games during the series. Thirteen of the 24 meetings between the two schools have been as members of the Atlantic 10. The 2007-08 meeting was a triple-overtime game won by Richmond, 76-67, at Gola Arena.

In the last meeting, La Salle dropped a 67-63 contest at Richmond at the Robins Center. Freshman Aaric Murray had 19 points and a career-high 15 rebounds and junior Jerrell Williams added 14 points in defeat. Murray scored at least 18 points for third straight game and collected almost half of the team's 39 rebounds. Kevin Anderson had 21 points, including 14 in the second frame, to lead Richmond. Gonzalvez had all 12 of his points in the first half and Justin Harper added 11.