PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team put together a late rally from 13 points down in the final four minutes to have a chance to tie the game, but their last-second three-point shot attempt just missed, allowing Loyola Chicago to come away with a 76-73 victory on Senior Day on Saturday at Tom Gola Arena at TruMark Financial Center.
The Explorers ended the regular season with a 7-11 in A-10 play and 13-18 mark overall. The Explorers also lost their fifth straight game after they had put together a five-game winning streak.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Explorers fell into a big hole early, as they trailed 15-8 through the first seven minutes of the first half.
- However, the Explorers rallied to make it a 30-27 Ramblers lead with 4:46 left in the half after outscoring them, 19-15, that included an 8-0 run. Fousseyni Drame and Josh Nickelberry each made a 3-pointer, while Daeshon Shepherd scored on a tip-in layup during that 8-0 run.
- Unfortunately, the Ramblers put together an 8-2 run to take a 38-29 lead at halftime.
- In the second half, the Explorers got the deficit down to 45-44 with 14:49 remaining after outscoring the Ramblers, 13-7, in the first 5:11 of play. Jhamir Brickus and Shepherd scored four points apiece in that span.
- Then, Loyola Chicago pushed their lead to 69-56 with 5:06 left, thanks to a 24-12 run.
- But, the Explorers went on a 17-5 run to cut the Ramblers' lead to 75-73 with 7.2 seconds left. Nickelberry and Khalil Brantley led the charge, knocking down five threes during that stretch, with Nickelberry hitting a trey to put the Explorers to within two points.
- After the Ramblers made a free throw and missed a second free throw, the Explorers came done the court and shot a three for the tie, but could not convert it.
GAME NOTES
- Brickus led La Salle with 18 points and seven assists. The junior guard also shot 8-for-11 from the field.
- Nickelberry, Brantley, and Shepherd also d finished in double figures. Nickelberry netted 17 points, Brantley added 12, and Shepherd scored 11, respectively.
- Shepherd also had a career-high four blocks in the defeat.
- Brantley tied his career-high in steals with five.
- Before the game, the Explorers honored and recognized Nickelberry, Fousseyni Drame, Hassan Drame and Mamadou Doucoure for their hard work and dedication to the program.
UP NEXT
- The Explorers will play in the Atlantic 10 Tournament next week at the Barclays Center in New York. Seeding for the tournament is to be determined after the completion of Saturday's games.
