Thursday, March 13th, 2:30 p.m. (et)

FACTS & STATS: Site: Boardwalk Hall (10,500) -- Atlantic City, New Jersey. Television: CSTV. Home Record: Saint Joseph's 8-5, Richmond 9-6. Away Record: Saint Joseph's 9-6, Richmond 6-7. Neutral Record: Saint Joseph's 2-0, Richmond 1-0. Conference Record: Saint Joseph's 9-7, Richmond 9-7. Series Record: Saint Joseph's leads, 11-2.

GAME NOTES: In quarterfinal action of the Atlantic 10 Tournament, the fifth- seeded Saint Joseph's Hawks will collide with the fourth-seeded Richmond Spiders at Boardwalk Hall. The Hawks came out on fire yesterday in the opening round of the tournament and cruised to an easy, 80-62 victory over Fordham. It was a shocking performance for Saint Joseph's, which closed out the regular season with six losses in its last nine games, finishing with a 9-7 league ledger. The Hawks lost the A-10 title games in 2005 and 2006, but overall the team is 26-23 in this tournament and has claimed the championship twice (1986 and 1997). As for the Spiders, they were able to corral the fourth seed and first round bye despite going just 2-3 in its final five games. Even with the late slide, Richmond finished with 16 wins and a 9-7 mark in conference action. The Spiders are only 5-5 in A-10 postseason play, but after going just 8-22 a year ago, Richmond is ready to make a statement this time around. With respect to the all-time series, the Hawks have dominated the Spiders, winning 11 of the 13 matchups, including an 81-63 victory this season.

The Hawks used a 21-3 run midway through the first half and never looked back, as they easily disposed of the Fordham Rams in opening round play. In the 18- point victory over Fordham, Saint Joseph's shot a stellar 56.9 percent from the floor and was led by Pat Calathes, who poured in 23 points to go along with seven rebounds. Calathes has been the straw that stirs the drink for the Hawks, as the guard is leading the team with 18.0 ppg and 7.7 rpg. Tasheed Carr added 16 points and seven assists against Fordham, while Rob Ferguson and Ahmad Nivins contributed 12 and 10 points, respectively. Carr has been a strong floor general throughout the season, dishing out a team-high 151 assists to go along with 11.1 ppg. Nivins and Ferguson have also been consistent throughout the season, posting 14.3 and 11.7 ppg. Overall, the Hawks are averaging a strong 74.5 ppg, while shooting an impressive 47.9 percent from the floor.

The Spiders might be the fourth seed in this tournament, but the team has struggled with consistency, producing just 64.2 ppg. Dan Geriot has been the main option for the Spiders, as the center is averaging 14.2 ppg to go along with a team-best 5.6 rpg. David Gonzalvez has been extremely dangerous from the perimeter netting a strong 43.2 percent from behind the arc, while contributing 12.0 ppg on the year. Kevin Anderson, who was selected as the A-10 Rookie of the Year, is chipping in 10.5 ppg, while pacing the team with 88 assists and 52 steals. Fortunately the Spiders have played well defensively, as the team is limiting the opposition to just 66.2 ppg. Richmond is also forcing teams into 16.6 tpg, and has recorded an impressive 244 steals on the year.

The Hawks steam rolled the Spiders earlier this season, and although Richmond is the higher seed, Saint Joseph's is the stronger team at both ends of the floor.

Predicted Outcome

Saint Joseph's 77, Richmond 69