Box Score
Box Score (PDF)

OLEAN, N.Y. – Senior Ramon Galloway scored a game-high 23 points and La Salle outlasted a determined St. Bonaventure team, 69-66, in overtime on Wednesday night at the Reilly Center. Junior Tyrone Garland added 16 points for the Explorers, who improve to 17-6 and 7-3 in the Atlantic 10.
 
“This was as mentally tough a win and as resilient of a win as I've ever had,” head coach Dr. John Giannini said. “We showed great mental toughness.
 
“Tyreek was sick and was not his normal self. Jerrell [Wright] was hurt, Ramon got hurt, guys really stepped it up. We weren't at 100% and playing a good team and found a way to win. “
 
Sophomore Steve Zack had a game-high 10 rebounds and eight points while Tyreek Duren added eight points.
 
With the win, the Explorers improve to 5-1 in games decided by five points or less.
 
“This is a very important win because St. Bonaventure is a very good team that is known for its defense,” Galloway said. “St. Bonaventure beat Temple and Saint Joseph's in Philly and not many teams win at those places. “
 
It was a wild finish at the end of regulation and overtime. With 51 seconds remaining in regulation, sophomore Steve Zack made a pair of free throws to put the Explorers up 61-59. SBU called a timeout and missed a three-pointer with 48 seconds that would have given the hosts the win but the Bonnies pulled down the offensive rebound.
 
Eric Mosley then hit a jumper with 24 seconds left the tied the game and sent it into overtime.
 
Neither team hit a field goal until three minutes into the extra period when Bonnies Chris Johnson made a lay-up to put St. Bona ahead 63-62 with 2:09 left. A three by Tyreek Duren gave the Explorers a two-point advantage but Charlton Kloof's lay-up tied the game with 1:33 to play.
 
Duren and Garland combined to hit three free throws and with 13 seconds left La Salle held  a three-point lead. St. Bonaventure called timeout and got a three-point look from Mosley, who was fouled in the act by sophomore D.J. Peterson.
 
Mosley missed the first two shots and while trying to intentionally miss the third, had his shot rattle around the rim and fall. The Bonnies were forced to foul and Garland made one of two free throws to ice the win.
 
La Salle led by as many as 16 in the first half with 2:41 but the Bonnies slowly chipped away and took their first lead, 43-42, with 12:24 to play.
 
“A 16-point lead in the first half is great, but in no way, shape or form does that mean you have the game in hand at this level,” Giannini said.
 
Mosley led the way for St. Bonaventure (11-12, 4-6 A-10) with 15 points.  
 
The Explorers will host rival Saint Joseph's in an A-10 and Big 5 battle at the Palestra on Saturday at 1 PM.