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PHILADELPHIA – La Salle bounced back from a loss at Miami to earn a 74-57 victory over Big 5 rival Penn on Saturday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena behind a gritty defensive effort and a balanced scoring attack.

Four Explorers (10-3, 2-0 Big 5) reached double figures, led by 17 each from Tyreek Duren and Ramon Galloway. The Blue and Gold forced 21 Quaker turnovers and capitalized with 18 points off turnovers in the contest. With the victory, La Salle improved its Big 5 record to 2-0 on the season.

“Being able to win the Big 5 in the best college basketball city in America will always be a big deal,” Giannini said when asked about his team's 2-0 City Series start and its meaning.

“I like it as a measuring stick, because the champion of the Big 5 is going to go to the NCAA tournament almost all the time. If you win in Philadelphia, you'll be there with anybody.”

The Quakers (2-11, 0-2 Big 5) challenged the Explorers early and trailed only 20-18 at the 8:48 mark. However, a 16-8 La Salle run the remainder of the period distanced their lead to 36-26 at the half. They never relinquished their double figure advantage the rest of the afternoon.

After shooting only 34 percent (11-32) in the first half, La Salle found its rhythm in the second, converting at 57 percent (13-23) from the field and 50 percent (4-8) from three.

Duren led the offensive charge, pouring in 13 of his points in the second stanza, including a stretch where he buried 11 of 13 points for the Explorers. At the end of his run, La Salle led comfortably, 55-37.

“I was just play within the flow of the game,” said Duren. “My teammates were driving by people and finding me wide open.”

Galloway never found his groove from the field, but the savvy veteran found a way to fill the bucket with nine made free throws, good for a season high. He continues to be a jack-of-all-trades for the Blue and Gold, finishing with seven rebounds, three assists, and four steals.

Sophomore Jerrell Wright notched his second double-double of the season, with an efficient 10 point (3-4 FG, 4-7 FT), 11 rebound effort. He added two blocks as well.

The Quakers were paced by a career-high 14 points from freshman guard Tony Hicks and a near double-double performance from junior guard Dau Jok, who posted eight points while adding 11 boards.

Penn outrebounded the Explorers 43-35, but shot only 36 percent (22-61) from the field, en route to their sixth consecutive loss.

“We're obviously pleased with the win and especially that our defense was improved over how we've been playing,” Giannini said.

La Salle begins its Atlantic 10 slate on Wednesday when they visit Charlotte at 7:30 PM.