Kendall Anthony already has scored more as a freshman than did Kevin Anderson, in whose honor the University of Richmond raised a banner at the Robins Center earlier this season.
Anderson, a Spiders starter during each of the past four seasons, played in 139 Richmond games, and finished with 2,165 points, second on UR's career list behind John Newman (2,383).
The 5-foot-8 Anthony has 338 points and is Richmond's leading scorer (14.1 ppg) through 24 games, heading into tonight's Atlantic 10 Conference meeting with visiting La Salle. The 6-0 Anderson scored 332 points in 31 games as a freshman in 2007-08, and was named the A-10's rookie of the year.
Discussion of prime candidates for the A-10's 2012 rookie-of-the-year award, determined by coaches' votes, is incomplete without consideration of Anthony. One of his top contenders will face the Spiders (12-12, 3-6) tonight. Jerrell Wright, La Salle's 6-8, 230-pound freshman, averages 8.8 points, 6.0 rebounds and 1.2 blocks. The Philadelphian shoots 55.7 percent for the A-10's most surprising team.
The Explorers (17-7, 6-3) were picked in preseason to finish 13th in the 14-team league. They completed last season tied for 10th, primarily because of ineffective defense. Coach John Giannini's team allowed a conference-high 78.6 points per game, and also ranked last in field goal-percentage defense (44.9). This season, La Salle allows 64.9 ppg. Opponents have shot 40.9 percent.
"Different players. It's nothing more complicated than that," said Giannini, whose team has won four of its past five and 10 of its past 13.
The Spiders' concentration will be on productive play at the beginning of each half. During an 81-72 loss at Duquesne on Saturday, they trailed 9-0, and were outscored 22-10 in the opening 11 minutes of the second half, which began with Duquesne ahead by four. UR comebacks in both halves "show we still have fight in us," Spiders forward Derrick Williams said.
Poor starts to halves have been a recurring Richmond bugaboo. "It is something that's hurting us, especially after halftime," UR coach Chris Mooney said. "It's something we really need to be zeroed in on."
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