PHILADELPHIA – Six Explorers scored in double figures as the La Salle men's basketball team took a thrilling 78-77 victory at Saint Joseph's on Saturday to complete the season sweep of the Hawks. It was the Explorers' first win on Hawk Hill since 2014 and first Big 5 victory of the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• After two quick baskets for each side, both teams got off to a slow start, sitting at 5-2 at the under-16 media timeout. The Hawks then used runs of 12-2 and 9-0 to jump ahead 15-4 at the 13:14 mark.
• The Explorers found some rhythm on offense over the next three minutes and made it a four-point game on a jumper by senior Isiah Deas with 10:17 to go in the half.
• Saint Joe's pushed the lead back to nine after a Cameron Brown three-pointer and remained on top by seven with 1:59 until halftime, but the Explorers finished the half strong on a 6-0 run to come within one at the break, 42-41.
• Freshman Ayinde Hikim gave the Explorers a brief lead 2:46 into the half, 47-46, but Ryan Daly provided a quick answer to put the Hawks back in front.
• La Salle tied it at the 15:59 mark on a pair of free throws by sophomore Jared Kimbrough, but again Saint Joe's responded and went back on top by six.
• Freshman Sherif Kenney answered back for La Salle with an and-one layup, and a three-pointer by junior David Beatty made it a three-point game, 60-57, at the under-12 media timeout. A jumper by Deas quickly made it a one-point difference again before the Hawks stretched their lead to 65-59 with 8:07 to go.
• But the Explorers battled until the end and remained within striking range until a two by Hikim gave La Salle a 74-73 lead with 1:22 remaining.
• After a pair of free throws by Daly, Beatty answered with a midrange jumper, but then Daly knocked down a deuce to make it 77-76 Hawks with just 25 seconds on the clock.
• Kimbrough went to the foul line with 16 seconds left and converted both to thrust the Explorers back in front by one and Rahmir Moore's last second three-point attempt was off the mark, as the Explorers grabbed the road win.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• It was La Salle's first win over the Hawks at Hagan Arena since a 71-63 victory on March 9, 2014.
• Freshman Christian Ray recorded his first collegiate double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds, including five offensive boards.
• Hikim led the Explorers with 15 points, while Kimbrough notched 11 points, eight rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Beatty and Deas each scored 11 points apiece as well and junior Scott Spencer added 10 points off the bench.
• The Explorers held the Hawks to just 16.6 percent shooting from beyond the arc in the second half. La Salle also outrebounded Saint Joe's by a 40-28 margin.

UP NEXT

• Next up for the Explorers will be the Atlantic 10 Championship in Brooklyn, N.Y. The tournament begins on Wednesday, March 11, at the Barclays Center.