UR defeats Longwood 65-52 at the Robins Center

    The University of Richmond overcame a sluggish first 30 minutes and defeated Longwood 65-52 Tuesday night at the Robins Center.
    UR (4-1) trailed by nine with 9:40 left, but picked up its defensive intensity and rode the scoring of junior guard Kevin Anderson (22 points). The Lancers (0-5) outworked UR inside during the first 30 minutes.
    UR managed two field goals in about a 13-minute stretch that covered the last few minutes of the first half and several early in the second half. Longwood surged ahead and seemed to have control of the game before the Spiders’ defense intensified and Anderson started scoring.
    This was part of the South Padre Invitational Tournament, and both teams head to South Padre Island, Texas, tomorrow. Richmond plays Mississippi State Friday night. Longwood faces Bethune-Cookman.
      Longwood’s tallest two starters were 6-7 and 6-5. But Richmond, with much more height, didn’t take advantage of that situation. In fact, the Lancers were quicker and more effective inside with a spread approach that relied on driving and scoring or dishing.
    LU scored 24 points in the first 9:30 and had a five-point lead at that stage. UR came back behind Anderson, who surpassed the 1,000-point mark for his career Sunday in a win over Chattanooga. Longwood led 34-33 at halftime.
    Longwood last season finished 17-14, the program’s highest win total since becoming Division I in 2004-05. But the Lancers dropped all four of their games this season heading into this one, and their problems were predominantly defensive. They were allowing an average of 83.5 points. Opponents were shooting 51.9 percent from 3-point distance.
    While UR has played four of its first five games at home, Longwood has played four of its first five on the road.

  Contact John O’Connor at (804) 649-6233 or .