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PHILADELPHIA – La Salle's Jordan Price tied the game with a half-court three as time expired to force an extra period before the Explorers fell to the American Eagles, 68-66, in overtime on Tuesday night at Tom Gola Arena.
 
American swung the momentum back in their favor by scoring four straight points to start the overtime period, and led by as many as five in extra time. La Salle's Johnnie Shuler hit an uncontested three as time expired in the extra period to make it 68-66. 
 
Price's buzzer beater tied the game at 59-59 at the end of regulation, completing the La Salle's comeback from a 20-point deficit in the final 14:42 of the second half. Price finished with a game-high 26 points.
 
"It's real stressful trying to comeback every game," said Price. "We need to come out and start better, execute better."
 
The Eagles (6-4) opened the second half on a 7-0 run to push their 36-23 halftime lead to 20 before the Explorers (5-5) staged their comeback.
 
"You have to be ready to play against a team like American, especially when they are shooting the ball the way they are," said head coach Dr. John Giannini. "I think we will learn from that because we have spectacular kids on this team."
 
A three from Cleon Roberts at the 14:30 mark in the second half sparked a 13-0 run for the Explorers who trimmed their deficit to seven after a Jerrell Wright dunk at 10:44. La Salle forced five turnovers and held the Eagles scoreless for 6:29 during the run.   
 
American pushed the lead back to 10 on a Charlie Jones layup with 5:17 remaining before the Explorers closed the game on a 17-7 run. Price netted 11 points during the final push, including a pair of threes over the final 21 seconds. 
 
The Explorers outscored American 20-12 in the paint and 10-2 in points off turnovers in the second half.
 
"We went big and switched everything which makes the defense easier in terms of covering their big guy," added Giannini. "It worked and gave us a chance to win, but give them credit for winning in overtime."
 
Wright, who hit a jumper with seven seconds left to pull La Salle within two, finished with 14 points and nine rebounds. Steve Zack tallied his second double-double of the season with 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

American was led by John Schoof, who had 18 points. Charlie Jones added 16. The Eagles starting five accounted for all 68 points and played all but 10 minutes.
 
La Salle is returns to the road on Saturday as they visit the Towson Tigers for a 7 p.m. tip from SECU Arena.