Men's Basketball | February 13, 2017

PHILADELPHIA – La Salle Athletics is set to honor a pair of teams who have made a lasting impression on the men's basketball program. On Saturday, Feb. 18, at halftime of the contest against Big 5 rival Saint Joseph's, the 1952 National Invitation Tournament championship squad and the 1987 NIT runner-up team will receive special recognition to commemorate anniversaries of their impressive postseason runs. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

A limited number of tickets are still available for what is expected to be a sellout. Please call the La Salle Ticket Office at 215-951-1999 or visit goexplorers.com/buytickets.

1951-52 SEASON RECAP
During the 1951-52 season, the Explorers racked up eight straight wins to start the season before a 62-46 loss to No. 7 Saint Louis, who had defeated them the prior year in the NIT, snapped the streak.

A victory over Big 5 rival Temple jumpstarted a five-game winning streak, but three losses over the next four had La Salle staggering heading into the home stretch of the regular season.

The Explorers bounced back with two resounding victories over Geneva and Murray State as they eclipsed the 100-point plateau in each game, and the team continued their February charge with wins over Big 5 competitors Penn and Saint Joseph's leading into March.

In the opening round of the NIT, the Explorers took on the 14th-ranked Pirates of Seton Hall led by future NBA All-Star Walter Dukes. Despite facing a 7-footer in the post, freshman Tom Gola scored a season-high 30 points to lead La Salle to an 80-76 win.

Against hometown favorite St. John's in the second round, La Salle used a fine defensive performance and 13 free throws from Norm Grekin to defeat the Redmen, 51-45. In the semifinal round, the Explorers avenged a loss during the regular season by picking up a 59-46 victory over No. 4 Duquesne.

The finals saw two teams that were not expected to be in the finals face one another at Madison Square Garden. The Explorers had defeated three straight ranked teams to earn the right to contend for a title, while the Flyers, behind 6-foot-7 center Don Meineke, downed third-seeded St. Bonaventure to advance from the semis.

The title bout saw Gola once again shine, tallying 22 points en route to a 75-64 win. The victory cemented La Salle's place in history and also assured the team a spot in the 1952 United States Olympic Trials for basketball.

1986-87 SEASON RECAP
Thirty-five years after the championship run that was led by a freshman and future National Player of the Year, the La Salle men's basketball team of 1986-87 led a similar Cinderella voyage to New York City and the NIT championship game.

In the first year of what would go down as one of the best college basketball careers in history, Lionel Simmons joined forces with upperclassmen Tim Legler and Larry Koretz to provide an impressive three-pronged offensive attack.

The versatile Simmons and the sharp-shooting Legler were the stars, as both were named to the All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference First Team.

Entering the NIT with a modest 16-12 record, the Explorers took on a Villanova team that was looking for revenge after La Salle had earned a 93-86 win over the Wildcats on their home court in December.

The game was a classic matchup that came down to the wire, with Simmons connecting on the game winner as the buzzer sounded to secure an 86-84 victory and advance the Explorers on to the second round.

La Salle hit the road for its next contest against Niagara, beating the Purple Eagles by an 89-81 margin and securing a chance to come home and play at the Palestra for its next game against Illinois State.

The game was never in doubt against the Redbirds, as Simmons and Legler combined for 35 points in a 20-point win that moved the Explorers to the NIT Final Four at Madison Square Garden.

Against Arkansas-Little Rock in the semis, La Salle used an explosive long-range attack that included eight first-half three-pointers to run away with a 92-73 victory. Legler was the catalyst, registering 26 points and connecting on four threes, while junior Rich Tarr added 23.

The finals saw the Explorers facing a Southern Miss team that featured future NBA draft picks Randolph Keys and Derrek Hamilton. The hot-shooting Explorers, who went 9-for-15 the previous game, went just 4-for-24 from deep in falling to the Golden Eagles.

Though the team did not ultimately win the title, La Salle did use the experience as a springboard for the next three seasons. La Salle advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of the following three years and went a combined 43-1 in league play over that time.