Philadelphia, PA - The La Salle Explorers (9-16, 2-9, 0-4 Big 5) could only muster 19 points in the first half while the Saint Joseph's Hawks (14-10, 6-4, 3-1 Big 5) shot 54% in the first half to build an 18-point halftime lead and cruise to a 72-50 win in Atlantic 10 and Big 5 play on Saturday afternoon at The Palestra.

One game removed from an outing where five players scored double-figures only freshman Kimmani Barrett (Paterson, NJ/Paterson Catholic) was the lone Explorer over ten points with 11.

With the lead at 25-14 with 5.41 left in the first half the Hawks closed out the frame on a 12-5 run to take the 37-19 lead at the break.

The Hawks' first-half point total was two shy of their productivity in the entire game on Tuesday night at Villanova. The Explorers' 19 points was 37 shy of what they posted in the first 20 minutes of Saturday's loss to Duquesne and their final of 50 points in the first half was still seven below the 57 scored after 20 minutes three days ago.

The Explorers scored the first two buckets of the second half but the Hawks quickly rebuilt a 20+ point lead and were not challenged the rest of the way.

The Explorers, who have now lost five straight, will return to action in Atlantic 10 and non-Big 5 play Wednesday night against Temple at Tom Gola Arena at 7:00 PM.