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PHILADELPHIA- La Salle men's basketball moved to 3-0 in Atlantic 10 play on Wednesday evening, downing Rhode Island, 72-62, at Tom Gola Arena. Senior guard Tyreek Duren continued his excellent string of play, leading four Explorers in double figures with 15 points (4-of-9 FG; 1-of-5 3PT; 6-of-8 FT).

Tonight's victory marks the first time the La Salle men's basketball team has ever started the Atlantic 10 Conference slate 3-0.
 
"I think it is a good confidence builder," Duren said postgame. "But, as you all know it is still early, just like we're 3-0, that can quickly change and we don't want to be on the opposite end of that."
 
The Explorers (10-6; 3-0 A-10) worked hard for the victory against a Rhode Island squad that would not back down despite trailing for the majority of the contest. The Explorers possessed the lead for 33:32 of the games 40 minutes, but could not stretch the lead much farther than the 11-point lead they took into the halftime break. The Explorers can look at this game as another encouraging sign that they have continued to turn the corner, winning despite having an off night from the perimeter (5-of-17).
 
The Blue and Gold showed little trouble attacking the Rhode Island (9-9; 0-3 A-10) interior though. Explorer big men Jerrell Wright and Steve Zack battered the rugged URI frontcourt repeatedly, combining for 25 points and 20 rebounds between the two.
 
Wright notched a double-double by netting 14 points (6-of-9 FG; 2-of-3 FT) and collecting ten rebounds.
 
"Coach G just tells me to be aggressive," Wright said. "When I get the ball down low, take my time and just go up strong."
 
Zack also recorded a double-double, his conference leading ninth, with 11 points (3-of-5 FG; 5-of-8 FT) and 10 rebounds. It was the second time this season that both players have recorded a double-double in the same game, with the other instance coming against Penn State.
 
As has been the case in recent games, the Explorers jumped out to the early lead on the strength of the inside-outside combination of Wright and Duren. The explosive duo launched the Blue and Gold to the early 9-3 advantage just 2:50 into the contest.
 
The Rams counterpunched after the sluggish start by staggering the Explorers with more pressure on the defensive end. Rhode Island would hold the Explorers to just six points over the next 9:37 of the half, as La Salle would get away from their interior offense that worked so well early. This allowed the Rams to string a 15-6 run together to gain their only lead of the game at 18-15, with 7:33 remaining in the half.
 
La Salle would battle back by going back to their bread and butter inside. A bucket plus the foul from Jerrell Wright snatched the lead back for the Explorers, one they would not relinquish for the duration.
 
The lead would be extended by two unlikely sources off the Explorer bench. With the Explorers clinging to a slim 23-19 advantage, Khalid Lewis and D.J. Peterson energized the Blue and Gold. The duo combined for all eleven points, seven coming from Lewis, of an 11-3 run to swell the lead to twelve. They would enter the half with an eleven-point advantage, leading 37-26.
 
"In the summer [Khalid] was as good as anyone we had on our team," head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "I love seeing him have success, I think he's a big part of our future and I think people are just starting to see glimpses of what he can do."
 
The second session began similarly to the first, as the Explorers continued to feed Wright in the low box. He picked up three buckets in the first 2:10, but the Explorers could not extend the advantage.
 
Rhode Island's one-two punch of Gilvydas Biruta and Xavier Munford would keep the Rams in it. Biruta would flush a layup at the 13:47 mark and suddenly the Rams trailed by just six at 49-43, silencing the Explorer faithful in attendance. Biruta would finish with a double-double, netting 16 points and 11 rebounds. Munford led all scorers with 21 points, also dishing eight assists. 
 
With the building silent and fans worried that what seemed like an insurmountable lead was slowly fading before their eyes, in stepped who else, but the dynamic Tyrone Garland. With a penchant for flash and the ability to deliver sparkling plays at the drop of a hat, Garland had perhaps the highlight of the year so far. With the team needing a spark, he crossed up his defender and exploded to the basket, sending in a thunderous dunk over the Rams best-shot blocker Hassan Martin. Just like that, Tom Gola Arena transformed from a chapel to a mad house, as the 2655 in attendance roared in approval.
 
"It is just one of his God-given abilities," remarked Duren.
 
"The Southwest Philly slam," joked Giannini, referencing his famed 'Southwest Philly floater', which sent the Explorers to the Sweet 16 last season.
 
Rhode Island would not get within seven the rest of the game, as the Explorers would buckle down on defense down the stretch.
 
"Every win is earned and every win is critical," Giannini said. "I feel great that we beat a good opponent and that we grinded it out."

La Salle will play Big 5 rival Temple (5-10, 0-5 AAC) on Saturday at noon on ESPN2 at the Palestra. The game will be preceded by ESPN GameDay, which begins at 10 AM on ESPNU and continues at 11 AM on ESPN.

Doors open at 8 AM. Fans must have a ticket to the game to watch ESPN GameDay.