PHILADELPHIA – Hassan Drame scored a game-high 16 points in the second half and
Fousseyni Drame recorded 13 points and 11 rebounds to help lead the La Salle men's basketball team to its Atlantic 10-best fifth consecutive win by coming back to beat Richmond, 68-62, on Wednesday night at Tom Gola Arena at TruMark Financial Center.
The Explorers are now a 7-6 in A-10 play and an even 13-13 overall. The Explorers won five games in A-10 play for the first time since 2016-17.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Explorers got off to a slow start, as the Spiders raced out to a 9-4 lead in the first four minutes. Fousseyni Drame scored all four points for La Salle during that span.
- However, the Explorers came back to tie the game at 16 with 9:27 remaining after going on an 12-7 run. During that stretch, Khalil Brantley made two jumpers and Anwar Gill scored four points off the bench.
- Then, the Spiders outscored the Explorers, 13-8, in the final minutes to take a 29-24 lead into halftime.
- In the second half, Hassan Drame started hitting shots, making two 3-pointers during a 10-4 run to help La Salle take a 34-33 lead with 15:55 left.
- The Explorers extended their lead to 48-43 with 10:46 left after Brickus scored five points, Brantley added three, and Hassan, Fousseyni, and Gill had two points apiece.
- After that, the Spiders came back to take a 56-52 lead with 4:54 left after going on a 13-4 run.
- The Explorers did not give up, as Hassan scored eight of the team's next 10 points by hitting a 3-pointer from the right wing, making a layup after stealing the ball, and knocking down another three from the right corner to put them ahead 62-58 with 1:55 left.
- From there, the Explorers finished the game by making six free throws, four of which Brickus converted, to seal the win.
GAME NOTES
- Hassanfour 3-pointers marked a career high, surpassing his previous best of three, which he had against Villanova on Nov. 7, 2022.
- Hassan also scored in double figures for the sixth time this season.
- Fousseyni recorded his second double-double of the season. The senior forwardi had 24 points and 13 rebounds against Saint Joseph's on Jan. 16.
- Brickus also finished in double figures, scoring 13 points — all of which came in the second half as well. The junior guard also shot a perfect 7-for-7 from the free throw line.
- Brantley paced La Salle with five assists while also adding nine points and seven rebounds.
UP NEXT
- The Explorers will hit the road on Saturday to take on George Mason at EagleBank Arena. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m.
