Kingston, R.I. – The La Salle men's basketball team looks to snap a three-game skid as the Explorers face the Rhode Island Rams. The Blue & Gold previously defeated the Rams, 70-65, at John E. Glaser Arena.
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 63, SAINT JOSEPH'S 75
- La Salle controlled the first half, taking a 31-24 lead into the halftime break.
- Saint Joseph's came out in the second half to take a slim advantage. The Explorers came right back to take a five-point lead. It was the first of 18 lead changes and eight ties in the second half alone.
- With the Explorers trailed by just one point, 62-61, with 2:35 left on the board. The Hawks ended the game on a 13-2 run.
- Freshman sensation Deuce Jones scored 22 points and tied his career-high with nine rebounds.
NEWS AND NOTES
- Rebounding has been established as the Explorers' calling card this season. La Salle ranks fifth in the A-10 in rebounding (37.5), its most rebounds per game since 2010-11 (38.6). The Explorers check in the top 100 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).
- The Explorers are fifth in the conference in turnover margin (+1.4) and forth in turnovers (10.6).
- Corey McKeithan leads La Salle in scoring with 15.0 points, good for 12th in the conference. The guard scored in double-figures in five of his last six games.
- Demetrius Lilley is pulling down 6.3 boards per game, ranking 12th in the Atlantic-10.
- Daeshon Shepherd is third on the team in scoring, adding 10.9 points per game. He has scored in double-figures in 17 of the Explorers' 25 games, including seven of the last ten outings.
- Jones has dazzled in his rookie campaign. He is the first Explorer to win Rookie of the Week five times in the same season since 2002-03 when Gary Neal accomplished the same feat. Jones leads the A-10 in assists amongst freshmen (2.6 apg) and in scoring (11.7 ppg).
- Jahlil White rounds out the starting five. The graduate transfer from Temple is averaging 9.5 points and 5.9 rebounds per game. He returned to the lineup last game after sitting out the previous matchup due to injury.
- Mac Etienne has started the last six games. He reached double-figures and grabbed eight rebounds last game. The forward also set career-highs in free throws and minutes.
SCOUTING RHODE ISLAND
- Rhode Island began the season 11-1, but are 5-7 in Atlantic-10 games.
- The tandem of Sebastian Thomas and David Green lead the Rams. Thomas is leading the squad with 18.5 points per game, with Green contributing 14.5 points and 5.7 rebounds.
- Archie Miller leads the Rams in his third season, it is his 13th as a head coach. Miller has a 37-50 record with Rhody and a 243-171 mark overall.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST RHODE ISLAND
- La Salle and Rhode Island have shared a home in the A-10 since 1995 when Explorers joined the league. Rhode Island has been an A-10 member since 1980, four years after the conference was formed.
- The two have met 49 times on the floor. The Rams hold a 13-35 series lead.
- The two met twice last season. Rhode Island took a nailbiter in Kingston, while La Salle blew out the Rams at Tom Gola Arena, 84-61.
- When the Rams visited Philadelphia, McKeithan scored 20 points. Shepherd scored 11 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for a double-double.
