PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle men's basketball team (1-0, 0-0 A-10) opened its new home at John Glaser Arena, taking the victory over the American Eagles (0-1, 0-0 Patriot), 65-52. The Explorers' defense was the story of the game, 52 points is the least allowed in a season-opener since holding the Saint Peter's Peacocks to 40 in 2017
 
La Salle also dominated the glass, besting the Eagles, 40-31 on the boards. Corey McKeithan led the all players in scoring with 16 points.
 
Explorers' fans can follow the team on X/Twitter @LaSalle_MBB and Instagram @lasallembb.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half

• Jahlil White scored the first points in John Glaser Arena. After the two sides traded baskets to tie the game at five, La Salle scored the next seven points to go up 12-5.
• American scored 11 of the next 15 points to tie the contest at 16 with just under seven minutes left.
• La Salle ripped off eight straight points, highlighted by two big three balls from Andres Marrero and Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi. Mac Etienne found Fasasi at the top of the arc off an offensive rebound to extend the lead to 24-16 and force an American timeout.
• The Explorers held the margin for the remainder of the first half. The period was capped with an electric three-pointer at the buzzer from White that sent the crowd into a frenzy and gave La Salle a 33-22 lead heading into the break.

 
Second Half

• American came out of the half hot on the attack, quickly cutting the lead to 37-35 with 15:00 remaining.
• Three different Explorers scored six straight points to put the Explorers back up eight with 11:26 left on the board.
• The two sides battled for the next eight minutes, American was able to cut the lead to three (44-41), but La Salle counter punched with another six, punctuated with a second chance bucket from Mac Etienne.
• For the second time of the night, La Salle extended its lead to double-digits, this time with points from White and rookie Deuce Jones to take its largest lead of the contest at 54-41.
• American never got back within striking distance. Veterans, White and McKeithan held the Eagles at bay, combining for seven of La Salle's final 11 points. The Explorers took game one at John Glaser Arena, 65-52.

 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• La Salle has won openers in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 2014 and 2015.
• Two graduate transfers, McKeithan and White stole the show. McKeithan led all scorers with 16 points, while White impressed with 15 points and six rebounds.
• Another transfer, Etienne impressed with a career day in his Explorer debut, grabbing a career-best eight rebounds.
• Five players debuted for La Salle: Etienne, Jones, Lilley, McKeithan, and White.
• Lilley also made the first start of his career.
• Dating back to last seasons' three-game sweep of George Washington, La Salle has now won four consecutive games against opponents from Washington, D.C.

 
UP NEXT

• The Explorers host Lafayette for the second part of a homecoming double-header. The men's game will tip at 3:30 while the women will begin at 12p. Both will stream on ESPN+.