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BROOKLYN, N.Y. - Vanderbilt led from wire-to-wire to defeat La Salle, 68-55, on Saturday night in the third place game of the Barclays Center Classic. Senior Jerrell Wright had 19 points, including 13 in the second half, to pace the Explorers.

The Commodores improve to 5-1, while La Salle drops to 4-2.

"Vanderbilt was better than us today," head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "They executed their offense wonderfully. They are going to have a terrific team because they have a lot of freshmen and sophomores. Coach Stallings has a long track record of success and I clearly see that continuing with this young group."

Senior Steve Zack added 11 points, while freshman Johnnie Shuler came off the bench to score a career-high nine points in 14 minutes. 

Less than 24 hours before, La Salle had given #8/7 Virginia all it could handle in a 64-56 loss. But the energy that manifested itself in the second half against the Cavaliers was missing on Saturday night against Vanderbilt.

The Explorers did shoot better in the second half on Saturday, connecting on 56% from the field after halftime. But defensively, the Blue and Gold couldn't hold Vanderbilt down as the Commodores shot 58% after halftime and 54% overall.

"We need to get better," Giannini said. "We came here to get tested and frankly we failed our test this weekend. I don't think it was for lack of effort. I think we need to look at everything we do offensively and get better. We did shoot 56% in the second half and scored 35 points. That was definitely a sign of progress. We have to self-examine and we have to get better. We want to be at a high level, and this weekend showed that we are not there at this point."

Vanderbilt was led by Damian Jones who had 16 points to lead four players in double-figures. Riley Lachance had 14 points, while Luke Kornet and James Siakam each added 10.

The game was delayed 10 minutes immediately after tip-off after lead official Rick Crawford was inadvertantly elbowed to the head by Jones following the tip. He collapsed to the ground and was taken off on a stretcher. 

Crawford told The Associated Press he "felt an elbow hit me across my right eye and then I just went down," following the tipoff.

"It was a little scary," Crawford said. "I think after the elbow hit my eye, my head hit the floor. I was fully conscious. I was aware of what was going on. So it was a little scary. Just a little knot over my right eye."

"To say we were concerned is an understatement," Giannini said. "That is real life. Basketball is the toy department of life. It's entertainment, it's fun, it's taken seriously, it shapes lives, and builds character, but nonetheless it is a game. When you see someone taken off the court on a stretcher that is not a game. That is a family and a life that you worry about. I'm just so happy he's ok."

La Salle will host #12 Villanova on Wednesday at 8:30 PM on CBS Sports Network. Tickets are on sale by visiting www.goexplorers.com/buytickets.