Men's Basketball | November 10, 2014

Box Score (PDF) | Press Conference Quotes

PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team controlled the action from the opening tip on its way to a 79-61 victory over Division II Philadelphia University, on Monday at Tom Gola Arena. Redshirt-sophomore Jordan Price led the way for the Explorers with 16 points, including going 4-7 from behind the arc.
 
"I think that they are better than we made them look tonight," head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "I think our defense deserves the credit for that. I think we really pressured them and limited their three point opportunities. I am pleased with our guys. They played hard and together."
 
The Explorers scored the first basket of the game and never looked back. They opened up leads of as large as 23 points. La Salle's defense limited the Rams offense to just 30.6% shooting from the field.
 
"Again, we played a good team and we did what good defense is supposed to do, we made them look shaky at times," Giannini said.  "That is a terrific team and I wouldn't be surprised if they have a chance for a national championship."
 
La Salle shot 50% from the field and had a balanced attack with ten different players scoring. Senior Steve Zack had 13 points and redshirt freshman Amar Stukes added 10.
 
Zack and Price worked well together in their first game as teammates. The utilized a pick and roll and took what the defense was giving them.
 
"Everyone picks and rolls now, and we do," Giannini said. "Anytime you have two really good players its good. John Stockton and Karl Malone ran the pick and roll almost every play for a zillion years and it worked for them. You look at a lot of those great combinations, and it just works if its good players. We can use that to our advantage."
 
Zack also went a perfect 2-2 from three point range. He mentioned his offseason workout as part of his newfound confidence in the long distance shot.
 
"That's the last part of my workout," Zack said. "I shoot with Coach Bailey every day. We do post up, free throws, and at the end of our workout we have a little three point contest between the two of us. That has given me the confidence to shoot that shot when I am open. "
 
Price led the way with five assists to just two turnovers from the point guard spot. Redshirt sophomore Cleon Roberts provided a spark off of the bench with nine points in 24 minutes. Zack and redshirt freshman Tony Washington were able to protect with rim, as they recorded three and two blocks respectively and altered countless other opportunities.
 
The Explorers shot 47.4% from three point range on the day and 50% from the field.
 
La Salle opens up the regular season this Saturday as they host Colgate for Homecoming with tip scheduled for 3 p.m. All veterans are offered free admittance to the game with a valid form of identification. Also, if you can't make it to Tom Gola Arena, the game is being streamed for free via GoExplorers.tv.