BRONX, N.Y. - Five La Salle University men's basketball players scored in double figures and the Explorers used a total team effort to defeat Fordham, 81-76, in a road Atlantic 10 matchup on Saturday. All seven of the La Salle players who saw action scored at least seven points as the team improved to 10-5 on the season and 1-1 in Atlantic 10 play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first half featured four ties and eight lead changes and was nip and tuck throughout until a late 13-3 run over the last four minutes of the period gave the Explorers a nine-point halftime lead.
• The free-throw line was a big part of the first-half success, as the Explorers went a near-perfect 17-for-18 from the charity stripe.
• Khalil Brantley had a team-high 10 points while Daeshon Shepherd added eight.
• The second half saw the Rams cut into the margin numerous times, but La Salle was able to fend off each challenge.
• A three-pointer from Will Richardson at the 9:02 mark put the score at 66-63 in favor of the Explorers, before a triple by Rokas Jocius pushed the margin back to six.
• Fordham pulled to within two a minute later, but a three-ball from Jhamir Brickus gave La Salle a two-possession lead with six minutes left.
• Another three from Fordham's Elijah Gray brought the Rams to within two again at 76-74, but a critical triple by Shepherd with under two minutes left gave the Explorers some breathing room.
• From there, La Salle held the Rams to just two points over the final 2:07 and improved to 1-1 in Atlantic 10 play.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• For the game, the Explorers connected on 25 free throws, one shy of their season high of 26 set in the triple overtime game at Temple.
• Shepherd led the group of La Salle players with 15 points and eight rebounds, while Brickus and Jocius added 14 apiece.
• Jocius had a quality game in reserve, scoring 14 points, grabbing six rebounds and blocking three shots in 19 minutes of play.
• La Salle held a slight 39-37 edge in the rebounding battle.
• Gray closed with 18 points off the bench to lead Fordham.

UP NEXT

• La Salle treks to Massachusetts to take on the Minutemen in another Atlantic 10 matchup, set for Wednesday, January 10.
• Tipoff from the Mullins Center is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.