Men's Basketball | November 25, 2019
Box Score ESTERO, Fla. – Five Explorers scored in double figures and the La Salle University men's basketball team ran past Murray State, 75-64, in the opening round of the Gulf Coast Showcase on Monday.
Freshman
Sherif Kenney registered a team-high 15 points and sophomore
Ed Croswell put together his first double-double performance of the year with 11 points and 10 rebounds as the Explorers advance in the winner's bracket and will take on Wright State in a semifinal game on Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- A three-pointer from Tevin Brown gave the Racers a 14-11 lead with 12:39 left in the first half, before La Salle went on a run.
- Four three-pointers by the Explorers, including consecutive treys by senior Saul Phiri, comprised the bulk of a 15-2 run that put La Salle in front by double digits at 26-16.
- Murray State pulled to within four at the five-minute mark before a 15-4 spurt closed the half and gave the Explorers a 41-26 advantage.
- La Salle connected on four more three-pointers during the half-ending run and finished the first 20 minutes of action 8-for-16 from three-point range.
- The Explorers continued their barrage from long range, knocking down four more three-balls through the first 4:15 of the second stanza.
- A free throw from Kenney at the 15:10 mark pushed La Salle in front by its largest margin of the game at 56-38.
- The Racers tried to claw their way back in the game, dwindling the margin to single figures on three separate occasions, but the Explorers found answers down the stretch to secure the win.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- La Salle closed the game with 13 three-pointers and shot 51.1 percent from the field overall, marking the first time this season the team has eclipsed the 50-percent plateau.
- In addition to Kenney and Croswell, senior Isiah Deas had 12 points, Phiri contributed with 11 and junior Scott Spencer closed with 10.
- Tevin Brown led Murray State with 19 points. The Racers were held to just 4-of-20 shooting from three-point range.
