HARRISONBURG, VA - With four players scoring in double figures, the La Salle men's basketball team improved to 5-0 for the first time since 1994 with a 70-58 win over James Madison at the JMU Convocation Center.

In a sloppy, turnover-filled game, the Explorers surged ahead early. Leading 9-8 with under 12 minutes to play in the first half, La Salle went on a 9-0 run to stretch its lead to 10 points. After sophomore Tabby Cunningham (Philadelphia, PA/St. John Neumann) sank a three-pointer at the buzzer, the Explorers saw their lead balloon to 18 points at the half. After hitting the first basket of the second stanza, La Salle saw its biggest lead of the day at 20 points.

James Madison refused to roll over, as the Dukes repeatedly attempted comebacks, shrinking La Salle's lead to 11 at one point. That was as close as they would come.

The Explorers once again used balanced scoring to secure a win, this time surviving off-games from seniors Steven Smith (Philadelphia, PA/Northeast) and Jermaine Thomas (Frederick, MD/Thomas Johnson). Thomas scored seven points, and Smith, who struggled from the field, finished with 10 points and nine rebounds after fouling out with under five minutes to play. Smith was whistled for his fourth foul and received a technical while disputing the call, ending his day early.

Cunningham led the Explorers, who shot 47 percent from the floor, with 13 points. Fellow sophomore Darnell Harris (Baltimore, MD/St. Francis) finished with 11 points and senior Lewis Fadipe (Lagos, Nigeria/Forest Hill School) scored a season-high 10 points.

The Dukes' Daniel Freeman led all scorers with 21 points, all coming in the second half. Cavell Johnson scored 13 for James Madison and Juwann James chipped in 10. La Salle was outrebounded for the first time this season as the Dukes grabbed 36 boards compared to the Explorers' 30.

The win was the second in a row over a Colonial Athletic Association team for the Explorers, who defeated Drexel, 62-50, at the Palestra on Dec. 3. La Salle will play one more CAA opponent, when Hofstra visits Tom Gola Arena on Dec. 30.

The Explorers will return to action on Sunday, Dec. 18 at Central Connecticut State. Tip-off is slated for noon.