PHILADELPHIA – Sophomore Saul Phiri scored a career-high 22 points, but St. Bonaventure shot over 50 percent from the floor and captured a 79-68 victory over the La Salle University men's basketball team from Tom Gola Arena on Tuesday.

The win was the seventh straight for the Bonnies, who improved to 19-6 on the year and 9-4 in the Atlantic 10. The Explorers fall to 10-16 and 4-9 in league play.

Early in the first half, sophomore Isiah Deas sent a cross-court pass to Phiri for a corner three-pointer, and less than 30 seconds later, redshirt junior Pookie Powell buried a straightaway three to give La Salle a 6-3 advantage. St. Bonaventure's Jaylen Adams and La Salle's B.J. Johnson later traded three-pointers, as La Salle held an 11-9 lead at the first media timeout.

Powell helped the Explorers extend the advantage with a steal, leading the fast break and finding Johnson, who slammed it with authority. After a timeout, Johnson pushed the lead to five at 18-13 by sinking a trey from the corner.

The Bonnies picked up the pressure on defense, however, and went on an 8-0 run to take a three-point lead. Powell hit from downtown to finally end the run with 7:53 left in the half, tying the game at 21 all.

St. Bonaventure quickly went back on top after an Adams three and led by five with 6:12 until halftime. Phiri brought the Explorers back within two after a trifecta, but the Bonnies followed with a 7-0 run that lasted that lasted 3:30 before Amar Stukes ended the drought with a layup with 1:37 left. Phiri got into rhythm by hitting another three, but St. Bonaventure remained in control and led, 42-32, at halftime behind Matt Mobley's 18 points.

Phiri continued where he left off in the first half by burying his fourth three of the game to open the second half. The Bonnies later pushed their advantage to nine before Stukes finished back-to-back layups to bring the Explorers within five, 46-41.

From there, St. Bonaventure scored the next eight points, taking a 13-point lead, 54-41, after Mobley hit Adams for an open three with 13:59 remaining. After another Adams three kept the difference at 13, Powell and freshman Jamir Moultrie both hit from behind the arc to spark a 10-0 run, as La Salle came within three with 9:24 left, 57-54.

But Mobley continued to feel it from downtown, and a dunk by Courtney Stockard put the Bonnies in front by double digits once again, forcing a timeout with 7:22 remaining. The two squads went back-and-forth down the stretch, but Mobley and Adams were on their game, guiding St. Bonaventure to victory.

The St. Bona duo combined for 56 points including 30 from Mobley. Adams had 26 points on 9-for-16 shooting. In addition to Phiri, Powell added 15 points and Johnson 10 for the Explorers.

La Salle continues its home stand on Saturday, Feb. 17 with a matchup with George Mason at 2:00 p.m. The day will feature two different celebrations at halftime: four individuals and a team will be honored as the newest class of the La Salle Hall of Athletes and 10 different basketball teams (8 men, 2 women) will be recognized on an anniversary of their postseason years.