PHILADELPHIA - A strong second half that featured 59.1 percent shooting helped the La Salle University men's basketball team to a 66-54 win over Fordham on Saturday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena. Junior B.J. Johnson led the Explorers with 19 points while seniors Cleon Roberts (11) and Jordan Price (10) also reached double figures in the final home game of their collegiate careers. 

The first half was a struggle for both teams offensively, as neither reached 35 percent shooting over the 20 minutes. A jumper from Johnson at the 4:46 mark gave the Explorers a 19-13 lead and held a slim three-point lead (25-22) at intermission.

In the second half, the tides turned and shots began to fall for the home team. La Salle began the period going 7-for-9 from the floor to extend its lead to 42-33 following a dunk from junior Demetrius Henry. A free-throw line jumper from Price moved the margin to double figures for the first time all game, and a three-ball from Roberts with 5:49 left gave the Explorers their largest lead of the game at 54-38.

With the score 61-45 with 1:28 on the clock, senior Hank Davis entered the ball game and immediately made his presence felt. Following two three-pointers from the Rams, Davis took the ball on the press break and went coast-to-coast, converting an acrobatic layup as he was fouled to re-establish a 13-point lead. Davis finished the scoring for La Salle with two free throws as the team closed the regular season at 15-14 overall and 9-9 in Atlantic 10 play.

A ceremony prior to the game was held to honor Roberts, Price, Davis and three senior managers. Davis, a walk-on who was awarded a scholarship for this season, had a career-high five points in four minutes of action.

The Explorers continue their season at the 2017 Atlantic 10 Men's Basketball Tournament, which will be held at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on March 8-12. La Salle will begin with a second-round contest on Thursday, March 9 against a team that has yet to be determined. Tickets are still available through the La Salle Ticket Office by calling 215-951-1999 or by emailing tickets@lasalle.edu.