Men's Basketball | November 15, 2019

PHILADELPHIA - La Salle and Temple renew a rivalry that dates back over 80 years as they square off in a Philadelphia Big 5 matchup at Tom Gola Arena on Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The game will air live on ESPN+, with Kale Beers and Rich Prendergast calling the action.

The contest, sponsored by the La Salle Outpost, is designated as Military Appreciation Day. All veterans will be recognized and Wounded Warrior Project guests will be honored throughout the contest. The first 250 students in attendance will receive a free Donnie Carr replica jersey t-shirt. For fans interested in a pre-game gathering, The Hideaway Tent will be open 90 minutes prior to tipoff (12:30 p.m.).

NEWS & NOTES
•The Explorers are coming off a loss to another Big 5 opponent, as they dropped a 75-59 decision to defending champion Penn at The Palestra.
•Senior Isiah Deas came off the bench to score 17 points in 24 minutes of action.
•Another player who provided a spark in reserve was freshman Ayinde Hikim, who scored 12 of his 14 points after intermission and also added four steals.
•Hikim ignited a charge that cut a 19-point deficit to eight with just over four minutes left but La Salle could not complete the comeback.
•La Salle reserves outscored the Penn bench by an overwhelming 39-5 margin, and the Explorers have received 61 points from non starters through two games.
•Junior Scott Spencer led the Explorers in rebounding for the second straight game with six, and currently ranks among the Atlantic 10's leaders at 7.5 per game.

SCOUTING TEMPLE
•The Owls enter Saturday's contest with a perfect 2-0 record, having defeated local opponent Drexel and Morgan State.
•First-year head coach Aaron McKie has three players averaging double figures in the early going, including guard Nate Pierre-Louis at 17.5 ppg.
•Pierre-Louis has been filling up the box score through two games, as he's averaging 10.5 rebounds, 5.5 steals and 4.5 assists per game in addition to his scoring accolades.
•McKie took over for La Salle alum and longtime Temple and Penn coach Fran Dunphy as head coach after serving as his assistant for the last five years on his staff as an assistant coach and associate head coach.

SERIES NOTES
•First Meeting - December 21, 1936 - Wister Hall - La Salle won, 37-31 in overtime
•La Salle is 4-8 vs Temple at Tom Gola Arena, including an 87-83 win in the last meeting two seasons ago.
•The win in 2017 snapped a three-game losing skid against the Owls.

DAY DAY BRINGS THE PRESSURE
•Freshman Ayinde Hikim was a bright spot in La Salle's loss at Penn on Nov. 13.
•Hikim scored 14 points on an efficient 6-of-8 shooting and led the team in both steals (4) and assists (3).
•The lightning-quick guard used stifling ball pressure to force a number of turnovers in the second half, allowing La Salle to have an opportunity to get into the game late.
•On the season, Hikim is leading the Explorers in both assists (6) and steals (6) in the early going.