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PHILADELPHIA – La Salle scored the final eight points of the game in the final 2:07 to snap a 67-67 tie and defeat St. Bonaventure, 75-67, on Wednesday at Tom Gola Arena. Senior Tyreek Duren and junior Jerrell Wright each scored 18 points to lead the Explorers.

"Any win in the A-10 is a great win," Dr. John Giannini said. "We got stops down the stretch and made free throws down the stretch. I'm really pleased."

Seniors Sam Mills and Tyrone Garland (team-high six assists) added 12 points each, while junior Steve Zack had nine points and eight rebounds.

The Explorers were aided by its best shooting effort of the season, connecting on 56.5% from the floor and 53.8% from long range. La Salle's 20 assists were the most since dishing 21 on December 19 vs. Wagner.

"The only way to get more confident is to win," Giannini said. "The only way to get more confident is to make shots. There's no talking yourself into that. Today is big. You feel very different with some success under your belt, especially with experienced players."

 "To finally see a couple shots go in just was good," Garland said. "I fed off Sam and DJ. That's how we played last year. I haven't seen us play like that in a long time."

The Blue and Gold was even more efficient in the first half, connecting on all six of its three-pointers and shot an impressive 68% from the field. Mills made all four of his shots in the first half for his 12 points before the break.

Leading by nine points early in the second half, La Salle allowed the Bonnies back in the game as a 15-6 St. Bonaventure (16-12, 6-8 A-10) run tied the score at 57-57 with 9:51 to play.  The game was nip and tuck down the stretch with the two teams trading the lead seven times from the 6:02 mark until the 67-67 tie at 2:07.

Duren connected on all six of his free throws during the final two minutes and Garland added two more to secure the win for the Explorers (13-14, 5-8 A-10).

St. Bonaventure was led by Matthew Wright, who scored 18 points, and Youssou Ndoye, who added 16.

La Salle heads to Fordham on Saturday at 5 PM. The game will be broadcast nationally on the NBC Sports Network.

"We know that at the end of the day we can beat anyone in this league," Duren said. "We can go into the A-10 Tournament hot."