by Chuck Booth '17
 
PHILADELPHIA - La Salle received a balanced offensive attack and stepped up on the defensive end to defeat St. Bonaventure, 71-64, on Wednesday night at Tom Gola Arena. The victory snapped a five-game win streak for the Bonnies, who came into the game in fourth place in the A-10 standings. 
 
"Today we beat a very good that has been playing very well." head coach Dr. John Giannini said. "It was a great effort. The two things that we haven't been doing very well has been our defense and rebounding. You win the rebounding margin by 14, with Jordan (Price) getting 10 which is tremendous and Tony (Washington) getting 12 which is also tremendous."

Price [18 points, 10 rebounds] and Washington [10 points, 12 rebounds] led the Explorers with double-doubles. They were joined by Cleon Roberts [14 points, 4 rebounds] and Johnnie Shuler [12 points, 3 assists] in double figures.

La Salle started off with a 11-2 run to open the game and never looked back. The Explorers kept up the pace in the first half and entered the half leading 35-33 on the back of shooting 8-16 from three.
 
Marcus Posley from St. Bonaventure (17-7, 9-4 A-10) led all scorers with 21 points on the back of a 6-17 shooting performance.  Posley scored 15 in the second half trying to will St. Bonaventure to the win but ultimately it wasn't enough."

In the second half, once the Explorers got the lead for good, they slowed down possession to go on a 9-2 run to close out the game for good over the final 3:34.

"I feel like our three ball opened [the offense] up," Price said. "Our guards were hitting threes and open shots so they couldn't help as much on the wing. When that opens up its just you and the big man.  That makes it easier."
 
The Explorers stepped it up on defense to hold St. Bonaventure to a 37.0% field goal percentage and force 11 turnovers on the night.
 
"We do a lot of switching and in this game we tried to keep the right matchups. We tried to keep Cleon and Jordan on 12 (Denzel Gregg) and 21 (Dion Wright) and tried to keep our smaller quicker guys on 3 (Marcus Posley) and 10 (Jaylen Adams)." Giannini added, "I think our guys did a great job. I think they all did a great job."

Up next for the Explorers (6-18, 2-11 A-10), is a matchup with George Washington in Washington, D.C. on Sunday Feb. 21. The game will be televised nationally on NBCSN.