Philadelphia, PA-La Salle Junior Steven Smith (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) became the 43rd player in the history of the program to score 1,000 points as the Explorers rode his torrid second-half to beat American University, 66-53, in a non-conference tilt at Bender Arena.

 

Smith, the reigning Atlantic 10 and Big 5 Player of the Week, scored 22 of his 28 points in the second half to finish with a career total of 1,007.  He struggled early, shooting 3 for his first 14, but hit his last five shots as the Explorers surged past the stunned Eagles.  

 

The Explorers (2-7) trailed 50-42 with under eight minutes to play, but rallied to outscore the Eagles 24-3 down the stretch.  They received another huge boost from Darnell Harris (Baltimore, MD/St. Francis) who contributed 16 points, including a thunderous slam on an ally-oop from teammate Tabby Cunningham (Philadelphia, PA/St. John Neuman) that helped ignite the Explorers.

 

They also received 8 points apiece from guards Sean Neal (Springfield, MA/Salisbury School) and Jermaine Thomas (Frederick, MD/Thomas Johnson).  Neal also added three rebounds, two assists, and a steal in perhaps his finest collegiate performance. 

 

 La Salle held a slim halftime advantage, 27-25, before the Eagles went on an 8-0 run to start the second half.  That lead would grow to as large as 11 before the heroics of Smith and Harris vaulted the Explorers back in front.