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PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team fell to Temple, 58-57, on Saturday afternoon at, the "Cathedral of College Basketball," the Palestra. Four Explorers finished in double figures on the afternoon.
 
Senior Jerrell Wright led the team with 15 points on the day to go with eight rebounds and two blocks. Redshirt sophomore Jordan Price added 13 points of his own.
 
"I think we out defended them and out rebounded them," added head coach Dr. John Giannini. "I am really proud of our guys' effort."
 
La Salle fell behind by as much as 12 in the first half, but went on a 13-1 run from the 2:50 mark in the first half to the 17:34 mark of the second half to notch things up at 35 apiece. Sophomore Cleon Roberts scored five of his 12 points on the day during the run.
 
Temple regained control, and grew a six point lead with 4:29 remaining before La Salle again scratched their way back into it. A dunk by Wright off an assist from senior D.J. Peterson cut the deficit to just two points with three minutes remaining. La Salle had possession with under 20 seconds remaining and the opportunity to tie or win the game but a Price jumper rimmed out, and Temple was able to close out the game.
 
The Owls (5-3) went 18-20 from the free throw line to help seal out the game in its final moments. The Explorers defense turned up the pressure in the second half, allowing Temple to shoot only 25% from the field in the second half, while forcing six turnovers.
 
The Explorers were able to control the paint, outscoring the hosts 24-12 down low. Great team defense limited the starting front court of the Owls to just eight total points.
 
The game saw the return of a Big 5 tradition as following the opening bucket of the game, a Wright jumper, the La Salle student section threw blue and gold streamers onto the court.
 
The game was played at the Palestra after each team decided to give up a home game over the past two seasons to play at the traditional home of the Big 5. Last season La Salle hosted ESPN GameDay at the Palestra for the matchup against the Owls.

"I am the only one who said they want to play them all here," said Giannini. "What you have to do is what us and Temple just did. You have to give up one home game every other year to continue one of the best traditions in basketball. I think the alums love it, I think the players love it, I think the fans love it."
 
La Salle (4-4) returns to action following a week long break for exams as they travel to crosstown rival Drexel on Saturday with tip scheduled for 1 p.m.