WASHINGTON, D.C. - George Washington senior Yuta Watanabe scored a career-high 29 points to lead the Colonials to a 80-69 victory over the La Salle University men's basketball team on Wednesday evening.

Four Explorers reached double figures in scoring, with redshirt junior Pookie Powell and sophomore Saul Phiri leading the way with 16 points. Senior B.J. Johnson added 14 while freshman Miles Brookins had 11 for La Salle, who fell to 10-14 overall and 4-7 in Atlantic 10 play.

A three-pointer from Phiri, who knocked down three triples over the first 6:13, put the Explorers in front by a score of 11-8 at the 13:47 mark of the opening half. Another three, this one from Johnson, put the score at 18-16 in favor of La Salle at the midway point of the period.

But 13 straight points by the home team, including a pair of three-pointers from Watanabe, turned the tides and gave the Colonials an 11-point cushion. Five straight from Powell cut the deficit to 39-33 at intermission, and put the Explorers within striking distance heading into the second half. 

George Washington was able to lock down defensively through the first portion of the second stanza, forcing La Salle into 0-for-4 from the field and a pair of turnovers on the way to building a 15-point advantage. The margin remained in double figures the rest of the way, as the Colonials improved to 10-14 overall and 3-8 in league contests.

La Salle concludes its two-game road trip at Saint Louis on Saturday, Feb. 10. Tipoff is set for 8:00 p.m. ET.