Lafayette Leopards at La Salle Explorers
Date: Friday, November 11
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Tom Gola Arena
Game: Non-Conference
Video Streaming: GoExplorers.com
Radio: WNTP 990 AM

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PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team will open the season on Friday night  when it hosts Patriot League foe Lafayette at Tom Gola Arena. Tip-off is set for 7 PM. All veterans will receive free admission with identification and the first 1,000 fans will receive free gold rush t-shirts.

Scouting the Explorers (0-0)
La Salle is coming off a 74-56 exhibition victory over seven-time defending Canadian national champions Carleton last Friday night. Six Explorers reached double-figures, led by senior Devon White and Tyreek Duren, who each scored 14 points.

The Blue and Gold turned up the defensive pressure on the Ravens, who posted several impressive wins over Division I opponents in exhibition play this summer. La Salle forced 23 turnovers, thanks in part to 15 steals, and held the visitors to 33% shooting after halftime.

Head coach Dr. John Giannini, who is five wins away from 400 in his career, will rely on a talented backcourt this winter. Senior Earl Pettis, Duren, junior transfer Ramon Galloway (South Carolina) and sophomore Sam Mills will be leaned on to provide scoring and leadership.

White and preseason Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team selection Jerrell Wright provide the one-two punch at the forward position. Both played well in the team's exhibition game against Carleton.

La Salle is 5-2 all-time under Giannini in home openers and the November 11 start is the earliest in program history for LU.

Scouting Lafayette (0-0)
Lafayette (13-19, 6-8 PL in '10-11) was picked to finish fourth in the Patriot League in the preseason poll and are led by 17th-year head coach Fran O'Hanlon, a 1970 Villanova graduate. Jim Mower averaged 12.3 ppg. last year while junior Tony Johnson was named to the preseason all-Patriot League team after averaging 15.3 ppg. in 2010-11. Mower is a St. Joseph's Prep graduate who was coached by former Explorer head coach Speedy Morris.

The Series
La Salle owns a 33-11 advantage in the series and has won three of four since 2000. La Salle is 12-4 at home, including 2-0 at Gola Arena. The teams met previously as members of the MAC and ECC.

Next up
La Salle will travel to Big 5 rival Villanova on Tuesday at 7 PM. The game will be broadcast online at ESPN3.com.