Men's Basketball | January 2, 2015

FAIRFAX, Va. – The La Salle men's basketball team opens Atlantic 10 play with its first visit to George Mason on Saturday night at 7 PM. 
 
La Salle Explorers (8-5, 0-0 A-10) at George Mason Patriots (5-7, 0-0 A-10)
Saturday, January 3 | 7 PM | Patriot Center
 
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Game Notes
La Salle | George Mason

Last Time Out
Five Explorers scored in double figures as the La Salle men's basketball team picked up its third straight win, and fourth in its last five, with an 84-67 Big 5 victory over the Penn Quakers at Tom Gola Arena on Tuesday night. "They challenged us and we were fortunate to have a great offensive night," said head coach Dr. John Giannini. "We played hard, turned them over and I am pleased with the outcome." Redshirt sophomore Jordan Price paced La Salle (8-5, 1-2 Big 5) with 18 points, going a perfect 5-for-5 from the foul line and 3-of-5 from three-point range.

All-Time Series
George Mason leads the all-time series 1-0 after last season's 59-57 victory at Gola Arena. This will be La Salle's first trip to the Patriot Center. 

Explorer Notes
• La Salle is fourth in the nation in true road wins with four behind Tennessee Martin, Yale and UMES (5). The Explorers have the most true road wins without a loss in the nation (4-0). Four teams in the nation are 3-0. 

• Only the Class of 2014 has won more games at La Salle since 1992 than the current seniors (Peterson, Wright, Zack).

• According to ESPN.com, La Salle has a strength of schedule of 51 which includes games against two teams in the top six of the AP poll (Villanova, Virginia).  The combined record of the teams that have defeated La Salle is 51-13. 

• Jordan Price has scored 103 points in his last four games (25.8 ppg.), the most by an Explorer during a four-game span since Steven Smith scored 114 points (28.5 ppg.) from Dec. 18-31, 2004. Price is shooting 30-for-57 (.526) from the field during that span and 14-for-25 (.560) from three-point distance. From the foul line, Price is 29-for-32 (.906). 

• Price is leading the Atlantic 10 and Big 5 in scoring at 18.7 ppg. He ranks 37th nationally. It's the highest scoring average by an Explorer since Steven Smith in 2005-06 (19.7 ppg.). He is the eighth highest scoring sophomore in the nation. 

• La Salle scored a then season-high 83 points at Hofstra, then scored 84 vs. Penn. La Salle shot 54.1% from the field vs. Penn, marking the first time shooting 54% or better in consecutive games since January 21-25, 2012 vs. Rhode Island and George Washington. 

• Jerrell Wright is one of 11 Explorers all-time with 1,200 career points and 700 career rebounds. 

Scouting the Patriots
George Mason is 5-7 and coming off a 61-43 loss at 18/21 Oklahoma on Wednesday. Shevon Thompson leads the Patriots in scoring (12.4 ppg.) and rebounding (11.3 rpg.) and is making a name as one of the league's top big men. Patrick Holloway (11.9 ppg.) and Marquise Moore (10.2 ppg.) also score in double-figures for coach Paul Hewitt. GMU is 4-2 at the Patriot Center this season. George Mason is in its second year in the Atlantic 10 from the Colonial Athletic Association. 

Next up
La Salle is back at Gola Arena on Wednesday at 7 PM to host Massachusetts.