Dec. 4, 2010

Box Score |  Photo Gallery  | Postgame Press Conference

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle battled its third Big 12 opponent of the season for a full 50 minutes, but fell 92-87 to Oklahoma State in a double overtime thriller at the Palestra on Saturday afternoon.

Sophomore Aaric Murray registered his third double-double of the season, providing 23 points and 13 rebounds. Senior Jerrell Williams added a career-high 23 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine boards. Senior Ruben Guillendaux registered his tenth consecutive game in double figures with 11 points.

Murray tied the game at 79-79 with eight seconds remaining in the first overtime to force another extra period. The Cowboys (7-1) scored the first five points of the second overtime and hung on to take the game.

"This is a game where you're a play away from winning," La Salle head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "We're never happy after we lose."

La Salle held a 33-25 halftime edge, but after the break Marshall Moses led the way for the Cowboys, notching 27 of his game-high 30 points after intermission. He also added 18 rebounds and three steals.

"He was awfully good," said Giannini of Marshall. "30 points and 18 rebounds would be pretty good for people named LeBron and Kobe too."

La Salle went on a 13-0 run to close out the final three plus minutes of the first half. Murray drained a three from the corner just as the shot clock buzzer sounded to give La Salle the eight-point halftime lead.

The Explorers fought off several charges by the Cowboys in the second half until Moses tied the score at 61 all after completing a three point play with 3:04 to go in the game.

Jerrell Williams stole the ball and took it to the hoop and drew a foul as he put the Explorers back on top at 65-63 with just under two minutes to play. He would miss the free throw.

On the next play, Murray grabbed a big rebound underneath and Jerrell Williams completed a layup on the other end to give La Salle a four point advantage. The Cowboys responded with four straight points of their own to tie the game at 67 all with 7.6 seconds to play.

Guillandeaux had a good look from three with the seconds winding down, but the ball got stuck in between the hoop and the glass, forcing extra time. The Explorers went down 77-71 in the first overtime after a trey by Oklahoma State's Ray Penn.

Earl Pettis sunk a three and then Murray was fouled and hit one of his free throws to make the score 77-75 with 1:41 to play in the extra period. Jerrell Williams drew an intentional foul from Matt Pilgrim while bringing the ball up the court. He hit both shots to tie the game up at 77 all with a minute to play in the extra frame.

La Salle won the battle on the boards early on in the game and held a 52-47 advantage over Oklahoma State.

The Explorers (5-3) will next travel to Massachusetts on Thursday to face Boston University at 7 PM.