Richmond overcame its worst shooting game of season with one of its best defensive efforts.
Now it will get a chance to end Temple's three-year run in the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament and avenge a loss to the Owls in last year's title game.
Kevin Anderson scored 21 points and third-seeded Richmond won a defensive battle with Rhode Island, posting a 55-45 victory in the quarterfinals of the tournament on Friday night.
The 100 combined points was the second-lowest total in tounament history.
''Obviously, we didn't shoot the ball well,'' Richmond coach Chris Mooney said after the Spiders (25-7) finished with 18 field goals and a 32.1 shooting percentage from the field. ''For a team that usually shoots the ball well, it catches you off guard when you shoot that poorly. But our defense was terrific. And we were just tough enough.''
Justin Harper added 12 points and 13 rebounds as the Spiders avenged a loss earlier this season to the sixth-seeded Rams (19-13).
''We got them to play at our pace this time,'' Anderson said. ''The last time we played at their pace, especially in the second half.''
Richmond's 12th win in the last 14 games sets up a rematch of last year's title game, which Temple won 56-52.
The No. 24-ranked Owls (25-6), who ran away from Philadelphia rival La Salle earlier Friday night, beat Richmond by 20 points last month.
''Temple does so many things well,'' Mooney said. ''We'll need to be great on defense against them. If we can guard them, we'll have a chance.''
Ninth-seeded Dayton (21-12) and No. 12 seed Saint Joseph's (11-21) will meet in the first semifinal at Boardwalk Hall.
Marquis Jones had 14 points to lead Rhode Island, while Jamal Wilson added 12 and Delroy James had 10. The 45 points matched the Rams' season low.
''We just didn't play defense against them last time,'' Anderson said. ''So we just came into this one knowing that we needed to make sure our defense was good, and it was the whole time.''
Rhode Island didn't shoot much better, making 19 of 52, or 36.5 percent.
''We knew it would be hard fought after we beat them the first time,'' Rhode Island coach Jim Baron said. ''When we beat them, we shot the ball well, we shared the ball well, and we defended well. We didn't do that tonight.''
Rhode Island twice got within four points late in the second half but Dan Geriot hit a foul-line jumper and Darrius Garrett scored on a rebound to push the lead to 47-39.
After a 3-pointer by Wilson, Anderson hit two free throws and a 3-pointer to put the game out of reach.
