DAYTONA BEACH, FL – The La Salle men's basketball team bounced back after a pair of defeats in the Boardwalk Battle, defeating the Stetson Hatters, 92-77 on Saturday afternoon. For the second time this season, five Explorers scored in double figures.
 
Corey McKeithan poured in 27 points, to set a new career high, his second time this season scoring 25 or more points. Forward Mac Etienne also impressed. The redshirt junior had the best day of his collegiate career as he played in front of his father for the first time since high school, setting new career-highs in both points (12) and rebounds (9).
 
Explorers' fans can follow the team on X/Twitter @LaSalle_MBB and Instagram @lasallembb.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half

• McKeithan drove La Salle's offense early, with six of the team's first nine points along with three of its first five rebounds, the Explorers held a slim 9-8 lead with four minutes gone in the contest.
• The teams battled for control early, Jahlil White and Daeshon Shepherd made an impact on both ends of the floor as the differential stayed within three points.
• La Salle built a six-point lead thanks to back-to-back three-pointers from McKeithan. Mac Etienne got in on the action via a putback slam to stretch the lead to 27-21.
• Stetson caught fire with an 7-0 run to take the lead for the first time, 28-27.
• Deuce Jones scored back-to-back buckets to take a four point lead, but Stetson came right back to get back in front, 34-32.  
• The Hatters maintained control, getting out in front 41-35. Jones and Andres Marrero scored as time expired in the first half to lock the halftime score at 41-40.

Second Half

• La Salle roared coming out of the break. Etienne and Marrero combined for 11 out of the first 13 Explorer points. La Salle held a 53-45 lead at the under-16 timeout.
• The timeout did nothing to stop the Explorers' momentum. La Salle attacked from all angles, with five different Explorers finding the bottom of the basket during a 16-3 run. Daeshon Shepherd drilled a three-pointer to give La Salle a 69-48 advantage and force a Stetson timeout with 11:18 remaining in the game.
• Stetson began to chip away at the lead thanks to stiff defense, but two quick hoops from Ryan Zan put the league back up to 17 points.
• With six minutes left on the board, an 8-0 Hatter run cut the lead to single digits. The Explorers stayed composed though, sinking six straight free throws attempts mixed in with an impressive layup from Shepherd to stretch the lead back to 14 points.
• As Stetson attempted to rally for a final push, an and-one attempt from Mac Etienne buried any chance of a comeback attempt. La Salle took the game, 92-77.

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• This is the fifth time La Salle and Stetson have met, with the last meeting take place in 1982.
• McKeithan's 27 points are the most of any Explorer since Jhamir Brickus scored a Big 5 single-game record 41 in a triple overtime thriller at Temple last season. He set a season-high in minutes (38)
• McKeithan also set a career-high in free throws made (6).
• Marrero and Shepherd both scored in double-figures in two straight games. For Marrero, it is the first time he has crossed the 10-point marker in back-to-back games since December of 2023.
• James Joseph hit a layup in the final minute, his first points of the season.

 
UP NEXT

• La Salle returns to John Glaser Arena after an 18-day hiatus. The Explorers will host the Temple Owls for a chance to play in The Big Classic Championship game. Tickets are available at GoExplorers.com. The game will stream on ESPN+.