PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team looks to build on its Quad I win over St. Bonaventure as the Explorers host the Davidson Wildcats on Wednesday afternoon. Tickets are available to purchase at GoExplorers.com/tickets.
The game will be broadcast on ESPN+. The game audio will also be streamed with Kale Beers providing play-by-play. Additionally, Explorers fans can follow the team on X/Twitter @LaSalle_MBB and Instagram @LaSalleMBB.
LAST TIME OUT - LA SALLE 83, St. BONAVENTURE 82
- La Salle came out on top in an epic back-and-forth matchup over the St. Bonaventure Bonnies on Saturday afternoon.
- After a tight first half, St. Bonaventure led by as many as seven points in the second half. The Explorers retook the lead and battled, with seven ties and five lead changes in the final eight minutes of regulation. The Explorers fell short on the final possession to send the game into overtime tied at 74.
- The overtime period proved just as competitive as the second half, with four lead changes and three ties in the five-minute span. With three seconds left, Deuce Jones hit an off-balance buzzer-beater to give the team the 83-82 victory.
- Demetrius Lilley stood out with his best game in over a month. The forward tied for the team-high with 16 points and eight rebounds.
NEWS AND NOTES
- La Salle is 6-1 at home this season, the first loss came last week vs. Loyola Chicago.
- Rebounding has been established as the Explorers' calling card this season. La Salle ranks third in the A-10 in rebounding (38.9), its most rebounds per game since 1990-91 (40.2). The Explorers check in at 56th nationally in the category. After the Immaculata game on Dec. 21, the Explorers have recorded two games with over 50 rebounds for the first time since 2011 (4).
- La Salle has also been explosive on the offensive end. The Explorers rank third in the Atlantic-10 in scoring (77.4).
- After a pair of down games in December, guard Corey McKeithan has found his stride on offense once again. He has scored in double figures in three of the last four games and has exceeded ten points in 12 of La Salle's 16 games. Last Wednesday's contest was the sixth time this season McKeithan has scored more than 20 points, tied for third in the league. He ranks 7th in the conference in scoring (16.8 ppg).
- Demetrius Lilley is pulling down 7.2 boards per game, ranking 10th in the Atlantic-10. Lilley is in the midst of the best rebounding season by an Explorer since Ed Croswell in 2019-20.
- Daeshon Shepherd is third on the team in scoring, adding 11.3 points per game. He scored 14 points and added a season-high eight rebounds.
- Deuce Jones has dazzled in his rookie campaign. He became the first Explorer to win Rookie of the Week three times in the same season since 2010-11 when Tyreek Duran accomplished the same feat. Jones leads the A-10 in assists amongst freshmen (2.3 apg) and is second in scoring (9.8 ppg).
- Jahlil White rounds out the starting five. The graduate transfer from Temple is averaging 9.9 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
- Eric Acker has found his rhythm after sitting out the first 10 games of the season. He is averaging 12.3 points and 3.0 assists per game in his first five games.
SCOUTING DAVIDSON
- Davidson is off to a strong start to the season, with a 12-4 record and a 2-1 start in A-10 play.
- The Wildcats are led by the trio of Reed Bailey (18.6 ppg, 6.6 apg), Connor Kochera (15.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg), and Bobby Durkin (14.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg).
- Matt McKillop is in his third season as head coach at Davidson, he is 43-37.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST DAVIDSON
- La Salle have faced off 14 times, with the Wildcats holding a 3-11 advantage.
- The two met once last season in North Carolina, with Davidson winning, 71-56.
- The two have shared a home in the Atlantic-10 since 2013.
