BROOKLYN, N.Y. – Jhamir Brickus scored 18 points,
Daeshon Shepherd had 15 points and 11 rebounds off the bench, and the La Salle men's basketball team kicked off the 2023 Atlantic 10 Championship Tournament by rolling to a 73-56 victory over 14
th-seeded Rhode Island in the first round on Tuesday at Barclays Center.
With the win, the 11
th-seeded Explorers improved to 14-18 overall on the season. More importantly, the Explorers ended a five-game losing streak and advanced to the second round of the A-10 Tournament for the sixth time since 2015.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Explorers opened the tournament with their best defensive performance of the season.
- Clinging to a 10-9 lead through the first five minutes, the Explorers outscored the Rams, 29-15, over the final 15 minutes of the half to take a 39-24 advantage into halftime. The Explorers held the Rams to just seven field goals on 26 shot attempts (26.9 percent) in the half.
- Brickus played a big part in the Explores' offense, as he scored 12 points in the first 20 minutes.
- In the second half, the Explorers increased their lead to 17 points, but saw their lead go down to eight twice after Rhode Island made a 9-0 run to make it 46-38 and a 9-1 run to make it 55-47 with 9:30 remaining.
- The Explorers had an answer for each of those runs, as they went on an 8-0 run to counter the Rams' first scoring spurt and put together a 16-7 run to take a 71-54 lead with 1:39 left to run away with the win.
- Shepherd showcased his scoring and rebounding in the second half, scoring 11 of his 15 points and grabbing six rebounds.
GAME NOTES
- Brickus showed great efficiency in his scoring, shooting 7-for-10 from the field.
- With his 15 points and 11 boards, Shepherd recorded his second double-double of the season and for his career.
- Khalil Brantley and Anwar Gill also finished in double figures, scoring 11 and 10 points, respectively.
- Hassan Drame made an impact on the glass as well, as he and Shepherd tied for the game high in rebounds with 11 apiece. Drame's 11 rebounds were a season high for him.
- The Explorers pulled down a season-high 51 rebounds. It marked the first time they had over 50 rebounds in a game since Nov. 13, 2017, when they had 53 in a 75-71 double overtime win against Philadelphia Big 5 rival Penn.
UP NEXT
- The Explorers will face sixth-seeded Duquesne in the second round on Wednesday night. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m.
