Emmitsburg, MD-The La Salle University men's basketball team never trailed as they routed Mount St. Mary's, 72-58, to win back-to-back games for the first time this season. 

 

Junior Steven Smith (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) led the way with 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting.  He added 8 rebounds and a career-high 5 assists.

 

The Explorers also received key performances from freshmen Sherman Diaz (Burlington, NJ/Life Center Academy), who scored a career-high 11 points, and Darnell Harris (Baltimore, MD/St. Francis), who scored 12 points and was 4-5 from beyond the arc.

 

It was a homecoming of sorts for Junior Jermaine Thomas (Frederick, MD/Thomas Johnson), who enjoyed a stellar high school career not far from The Mount.  Thomas scored 11 points in his return.

 

Several big men also emerged for the Explorers and they dominated on the glass, 41-27.  Junior Lewis Fadipe (Lagos, Nigeria/Forest Hill School) had 5 points and 8 rebounds and Mike St. John (Northboro, MA/River School) continued to play tough in the paint as he collected 9 boards. 

 

The Explorers (3-7) shot 48% from the field.