PHILADELPHIA – La Salle sophomore Tony Washington posted career-highs in points (16) and rebounds (13) but the Explorers fell to Temple, 62-49, in the first game of the Big 5 doubleheader at the Palestra on Wednesday.
 
Washington shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the field and blocked two shots while playing all 40 minutes.
 
Junior Cleon Roberts added 16, while classmate Jordan Price was the third Explorer in double-figures with 11 points.
 
"I thought we played with great effort," La Salle coach Dr. John Giannini said. "I thought our kids did everything that they could. We had a few mental breakdowns but I thought there weren't effort mistakes. I told those five guys playing a lot that the experience they are getting playing a lot this year is invaluable. They are getting so much better."
 
La Salle, still playing shorthanded with seven scholarship players, played its five starters for all but six minutes of the game. Washington, Johnnie Shuler, Cleon Roberts and Jordan Price played all 40 minutes.
 
For Temple, Quenton DeCosey and Josh Brown each had 12 points and Jaylen Bond added 10.
 
A 14-2 Temple run midway through the first half broke open a close game and the Owls led 33-25 at the half.
 
The Explorers opened the second half on a 7-0 run to bring it within one at 33-32 with 17:44 to play. The Owls (10-7, 2-1 Big 5) responded with an 8-0 spurt of its own and the Blue and Gold could get no closer.
 
The doubleheader was played to celebrate the 60^th anniversary of the Big 5. Saint Joseph's and Penn tangled in the nightcap.
 
La Salle (5-11, 0-3 Big 5) is back in action on Saturday when it hosts St. Joe's at 4 PM. The game will be produced by the American Sports Network and aired locally on Comcast SportsNet.