Philadelphia, PA - The La Salle men's basketball team dropped a 66-60 decision to Merrimack in the Cathedral Classic at The Palestra on Sunday afternoon.

Graduate student Josiah Harris led the way with his first double-double as an Explorer, posting a season-high 16 points and 10 rebounds. Redshirt sophomore Rob Dockery added 10 points, a career-best 7 assists and 7 rebounds, while graduate student Jaeden Marshall contributed 6 points off the bench, including a pair of three-pointers.

Merrimack opened the game on an 11-2 run and led 42-36 at the half. The Explorers clawed back in the second half, closing the gap to one point when graduate student Noah Collier sank a free throw at the 11:26 mark. A late three-pointer from senior Damon Strand cut the deficit to six with 14 seconds remaining, but the comeback bid fell short as Merrimack closed it out at the line.

La Salle dominated the glass, finishing with a 40-25 rebounding advantage, including 16 offensive rebounds. The Explorers' bench was also a bright spot, outscoring Merrimack's reserves 33-9. Both teams scored 24 points in the second half, leaving the halftime deficit as the difference.

La Salle returns to action Saturday, Dec. 6, facing Drexel in the Big 5 Classic at Xfinity Mobile Arena, with tip-off scheduled for 2 p.m.