Feb. 10, 2011

Box Score

ST. LOUIS, MO - Senior Ruben Guillandeaux's putback with 19 seconds remaining gave La Salle its first lead in over 13 minutes and propelled the Explorers to a 78-77 victory at Saint Louis on Wednesday night. Guillandeaux tied classmate Jerrell Williams with a game-high 20 points, while sophomore Aaric Murray added 18 points.

"Ruben's a fifth-year guy who has really been focused on La Salle basketball," head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "He deserves a win like that. I'm really happy to see him have success."

All but two of La Salle's 10 conference games have been decided by five points or less and this game was no different. The Explorers trailed the majority of the second half and by as many as seven with 4:03 to play.

Consecutive three's by junior Earl Pettis (eight points) and Guillandeaux cut the SLU lead to 75-74 with 2:30 to play. Two free throws by the Billikens Eric Conklin extended the lead back to three, but freshman Tyreek Duren answered with two free throws of his own to make it 77-76 with 1:32 to play.

Neither team would score on its next possession but after a Saint Louis missed free throw, Guillandeaux drove to the hoop and got his own rebound and put it back in with 19 seconds left. It was the first lead for La Salle since the 13:55 mark of the second half.

Five players scored double-figures for Saint Louis, which didn't have any players averaging double-figures coming into the contest. Brian Conklin led the way with 18 points, while Kyle Cassity had 14.

It was a much different SLU team than the last time the two squads met in a blizzard at Gola Arena. Saint Louis (8-15, 3-7 A-10) was without three players - Willie Reed, Kwamain Mitchell and Cody Ellis - who combined to score 60 of the 68 points for the Billikens in a 68-65 win over La Salle. Reed and Mitchell were suspended and Ellis missed the game with a dislocated shoulder.

The Explorers (12-13, 4-6 A-10) next hit the road to take on St. Bonaventure on Saturday at 4 PM.