Dec. 22, 2010

Box Score |  Photo Gallery 

PHILADELPHIA - Senior Jerrell Williams and sophomore Aaric Murray each added a double-double as the La Salle men's basketball team fell 77-68 to Rider at Tom Gola Arena on Wednesday night.

Williams posted a career-high 24 points and added 14 rebounds, while Murray had 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Senior Ruben Guillandeaux and freshman Sam Mills rounded out La Salle's double-figure scorers, each tallying 10 points.

Rider's Novar Gadson led all players with 25 points.

After holding a 34-33 lead at the break, La Salle allowed the Broncos to go on a 22-6 run and to shoot .567 in the second half.

"Defensively, I just think we need to improve in every possible way, especially in terms of just commitment," Head Coach Dr. John Giannini said. "We're been giving up brutal shooting percentages in second halves. I really think our problems are largely defensive."

The game went back and forth in the early portion of the second half, with three lead changes and three ties.

Justin Robinson hit a three to put the Broncs (8-5) ahead 45-40 with fifteen minutes to play in the game.  Two minutes later Guillandeaux tied the game at 47-all with a three, his first points of the game, and the Explorers went on a 6-2 run to take a 54-49 lead.

Rider grabbed the lead for good after a jumper by Mike Ringgold gave the Broncos a 55-54 edge with 9:17 to play.  La Salle trailed by as many as 11 in the second frame.

The Explorers got off to a slow start at the beginning of the game, while the Broncos hit six of their first nine baskets from the field and got nine quick points from Gadson.

La Salle held the rebounding edge, pulling down 41 to Rider's 39.

The Explorers (6-6) will close out 2010 with a 7:00 pm game, the last of four consecutive home contests, against Towson on December 29.