PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team fell to Big 5 rival, the Saint Joseph's Hawks, 75-63 on Wednesday night. Despite an outstanding effort from guard Deuce Jones, a dominant late-game run from Saint Joseph's guard Erik Reynolds II buried the Explorers, who were within a point with just over two minutes remaining.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Half:

• The scoring came in bunches early, Corey McKeithan drained a three to put the Explorers up, 9-5 with 16:35 remaining.
• Following a hook shot from Rasheer Flemming, La Salle scored eight of the next 11 points to go up 17-10. Deuce Jones made an impressive heads-up play to steal the ball in the backcourt and slam it home to put the Explorers up seven.
• Jones' basket constituted the only points scored for nearly three minutes of action. Daeser Haskins for the Hawks ended the drought. Demetrius Lilley countered with a corner three to extend the Explorer lead to eight, 20-12.
• With the Blue & Gold leading 23-14, the Hawks went on a 9-1 run to cut into the lead, 24-22, Explorers.
• La Salle roared back to end the half, scoring seven of the last nine points. The Explorers took a 31-24 lead into halftime.

 
Second Half:

• Saint Joseph's came flying out of the half, beginning the second frame on a 12-4 run to force an Explorer timeout with 16:45 remaining 12-4.
• Etienne knocked down a pair of free throws, before Daeshon Shepherd slammed home a thunderous lob to put La Salle back up three (39-36).
• The two traded baskets in a fast and furious few minutes. A 5-0 run from Xzayvier Brown flipped a 45-41 La Salle lead to a 46-45 Hawk advantage with 11:42 remaining.
• The teams continued to battle, trading the lead on nearly every basket. Jones converted an and-one attempt to give the Explorers the lead, 52-51.
• Erik Reynolds II of the Hawks buried a flurry of shots to give the Hawks a five-point lead, 59-54 with 5:47 remaining, the largest of the half to that point.
• The Explorers climbed back within one thanks to buckets from Jones and Mac Etienne.
• The Hawks drained a three-pointer to go up four, 62-58. Jones knocked down three free throws to cut it to one with 2:30 to go.
• Reynolds took over the game late, scoring seven straight points and grabbing a key steal to seal the win for the Hawks, 75-63.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Jones scored 22 points, his fifth game over 20 points this season. He also grabbed nine rebounds to tie his career-high.
• Etienne impressed with 10 points and eight rebounds. He has grabbed seven or more boards in three of the last four games.
• McKeithan has scored in double-figures 17 times this season.

NEXT UP

La Salle will head to New England to face the Rhode Island Rams on Saturday. The game will tip at 4 p.m. on ESPN+.