La Salle Explorers at Philly Hoop Group Classic
Date: Friday, November 25 and Saturday, November 26
Time: 4:30 PM
Location: The Palestra
Game: Philly Hoop Group Classic
TV: The Comcast Network
Radio: WNTP 990 AM on Friday; WFIL 560 AM on Saturday
 
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PHILADELPHIA – La Salle will return to The Palestra, where it is 5-1 in its last six games at the historic building, to take on Robert Morris and Rider, respectively, in the Philly Hoop Group Classic on Friday and Saturday.

Scouting the Explorers (2-2)
La Salle nearly became just the third team to defeat Pittsburgh at the Pedersen Events Center but came up short, falling 73-69 on Tuesday evening. The Panthers improved to 87-2 all-time in the building.

Senior Earl Pettis came up two points short of a career-high with 22 points, while senior Devon White added a career-high 12. Sophomore Sam Mills, who held preseason Big East Player of the Year Ashton Gibbs to 3-for-15 shooting while playing all 40 minutes, added 12 as well.

The Explorers are led by its trio of guards—Pettis, Mills and sophomore Tyreek Duren. The three lead all A-10 three-guard rotations in scoring, averaging 16.4 ppg. between them. They edge Xavier's Tu Holloway, Mark Lyons and Dezmine Wells by 0.1 ppg.

Duren and Mills (33.1 combined ppg.) are among the nation's top scoring sophomore backcourts as well.They are second behind UConn's Jeremy Lamb and Shabazz Napier (40.8).

Junior Ramon Galloway is listed as probable after suffering a concussion on Friday, November 11 versus Lafayette.

Scouting Robert Morris (3-1)

The Colonials are off to an outstanding start with their only loss coming at the Palestra last Saturday versus Penn in a 66-60 defeat. RMU recently defeated James Madison, 82-77, on Tuesday in Harrisonburg, VA and posted wins over Rider and Saint Peter's as well.

Velton Jones, a product of Philadelphia's Northeast Catholic High School, leads the team in scoring at 20.8 ppg. Coron Williams adds 15.8 ppg. for head coach Andrew Toole, a former Penn standout.

Jones posted a career-high 38 points against the Dukes including 14 in the final 5:36 to propel the Colonials to the win. No other player reached double-figures for RMU.

Robert Morris shoots it well from three-point range at 40.8 percent but also allows its opponent to shoot it well from long range (41.1%).

The Colonials were 18-14 last season and fell to Long Island in the NEC Championship game.

Scouting Rider (1-4)

The Broncs have gotten off to a slow start this winter with their only win coming on Tuesday over Howard, 74-72. Anthony Myles leads three players in double-figures at 15.8 ppg., followed by Jeff Jones, a Virginia transfer and Monsignor Bonner graduate, at 14.6 ppg. Danny Stewart, a teammate of La Salle's Tyreek Duren at Neumann-Goretti High School, chips in with 13.8 ppg.

Rider has had a tough time on the boards, being outrebounded by 11.6 per game. It has also committed 26 more turnovers than assists.

The Broncs have lost to Robert Morris by 26, Pitt by 10, Drexel by 18 and Penn by six in overtime.
Last season, Rider won 23 games and fell in the MAAC semifinals. They were selected for the CollegeInsider.com Tournament, falling to Northern Iowa in the first round.

The Series
It is the first meeting between La Salle and Robert Morris.

La Salle and Rider were rivals in the Middle Atlantic (1966-67 to 1972-73) and East Coast (1974-75 to 1982-83) Conferences. The nearby schools also met every year from 1932-33 to 1937-38. The Explorers hold a 23-7 advantage in the all-time series and a 14-5 lead in Philadelphia.

Next up
La Salle will be back at Tom Gola Arena on Wednesday, November 30 to host Northeastern at 7 PM.

Ticket information for Hoop Group Classic
Tickets still remain for the Philly Hoop Group Classic at The Palestra on Friday and Saturday by calling the Penn ticket office at 215-898-6151 or visiting the Penn ticket office online here. 

Tickets are either $15 or $30 for Friday (three games) and Saturday (two games). On Saturday, chair back seats are also available for $50.