Men's Basketball | March 9, 2019

Box Score PHILADELPHIA – A balanced scoring attack and a strong defensive effort over the opening 20 minutes led the La Salle University men's basketball team to a 72-57 win over Fordham at Tom Gola Arena at TruMark Financial Center on Saturday. Graduate student Pookie Powell, playing in the final home game of his career, scored 14 points on 5-of- 7 shooting to share team-high scoring honors with freshman Jared Kimbrough, who posted a new career-high.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• A one-handed dunk from Kimbrough set the tone for La Salle, who jumped out to an early 11-4 lead and never looked back.
• Graduate student Cheddi Mosely, who also played in his final home game for the Explorers, converted on a fast-break opportunity and another dunk from Kimbrough ran the lead to 15-4 near the 12-minute mark.
• The advantage grew to as many as 14 points after two free throws from freshman Ed Croswell, and another free throw from Kimbrough closed the scoring in the first half as La Salle entered the locker room with a 30-18 lead.
• Kimbrough had 10 of his 14 points in the opening period, and helped the Explorers hold the Rams to 24.1 percent shooting in the first half.
• Junior Isiah Deas was a catalyst for La Salle to begin the second stanza, connecting on two quick three-pointers to jump the margin to 41-20 at the 16:23 mark.
• Powell then got hot, knocking down a pair from downtown over a span of 1:19 as the Explorers continued to pour it on.
• La Salle cruised to victory from there, improving to an even 10-10 over its last 20 outings.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Junior Saul Phiri was the third Explorer to reach double figures with 10 points.
• The Explorers had 16 assists against just 10 turnovers, with redshirt junior Traci Carter leading the way with seven assists and two turnovers.
• Carters also added six points and four steals in 25 minutes of action.
• La Salle made good use of their 10 offensive rebounds, converting them to the tune of 21 second-chance points.
• Chuba Ohams led Fordham with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

UP NEXT

• La Salle will head to the 2019 Atlantic 10 Tournament at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
• The event will begin on Wednesday, March 13 with opening-round games and will conclude with the championship on Sunday, March 17.
• Details on La Salle's first opponent will be unveiled following the conclusion of all conference games on Saturday.