Darnell Harris tallied nine points.

Lewis Fadipe recorded a career-high five blocks.

Steven Smith led all scorers with 22 points.

Paul Johnson threw down a two-handed dunk for two of his six points.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Seniors Steven Smith (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) and Jermaine Thomas (Frederick, MD/Thomas Johnson) combined to score 40 points and lead the Explorers (3-0) over Mount St. Mary's, 73-51, at Tom Gola Arena. By winning its first three games, the La Salle is off to its best start since 1999. Smith led all scorers with 22 points and pulled in seven rebounds. Thomas netted 18 points and also grabbed seven boards.

The Explorers led for almost the entire game, trailing only at the outset. La Salle led by as many as 29 points in the second half. The win marked the first time since 2003 that the Explorers won by more than 20 points.

La Salle showed some flash in the first half, exciting the crowd. Early on, senior Lewis Fadipe (Lagos, Nigeria/Forest Hill School) got his hand on a shot by the Mount's Mychal Kearse, deflecting the ball skyward. Smith tipped the ball several times before eventually getting the ball to freshman Paul Johnson (Washington, DC/Gonzaga), who corralled the rebound and fed a breaking Tabby Cunningham (Philadelphia, PA/St. John Neumann). Cunningham whirled around in the paint before dishing the ball to Smith, who threw down a dunk.

Later in the half, Johnson scored a layup on a nice backdoor cut off a nifty feed from junior Mike St. John (Northboro, MA/River School).

Fadipe recorded season highs in points (nine) and rebounds (nine). Cunningham scored four points and had four steals. Johnson finished with six points, including an explosive two-handed dunk off a Mount St. Mary's turnover.

Kearse and Landy Thompson each scored 12 points to lead the Mountaineers. Charles Cook chipped in 11 off the bench. The Mount (1-3) shot 28 percent from the floor, compared to La Salle's 53 percent. The Explorers held the edge in rebounding, 40-30.

The Explorers travel downtown to the Palestra to take on Drexel as part of the Big 5 Classic on Saturday, Dec. 3 at noon.