PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle men's basketball team will conclude its regular season this Saturday as the Explorers host Big 5 rival the Saint Joseph's Hawks at 2:30 at John E. Glaser Arena. The game will be the final regular season meeting of head coach
Fran Dunphy's career, as he will retire at the conclusion of the campaign. The game is a white out, with fans encouraged to wear white.
It is also senior day. La Salle will honor manager Ben Tornambe, alongside
Charles Ireland,
James Joseph,
Milos Kovacevic, Andres Marrero,
Corey McKeithan, and
Daeshon Shepherd. The game will be broadcast on USA Network. 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 62, GEORGE MASON 69
- La Salle controlled the first half, leading by as many as 10 points several times. A three-pointer from McKeithan sent the Explorers into the half leading 33-26.
- George Mason began the second half on a 19-3 run to take a 45-36 lead with 12:51 remaining.
- The Explorers battled back, cutting the lead to a single possession numerous times, including two points with 2:30 remaining. Missed free throws down the stretch prevented La Salle from keeping pace. The Patriots took the game, 69-62.
- Jahlil White recorded his fourth double-double of the season and the tenth of his career, racking up 13 points and 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 (36.8), its most rebounds per game since 2010-11 (38.6). The Explorers rank 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 both in turnover margin (+1.1) and in turnovers (10.7).
- McKeithan leads La Salle in scoring with 14.8 points, good for 13th in the conference. The guard has scored in double-figures in ten of his last eleven games and seven consecutive outings. He tied his career-high in steals with four against the Patriots.
- Shepherd is third on the team in scoring, adding 10.4 points per game. He has scored in double-figures in 19 of the Explorers' 30 games, including nine of the last 15 outings.
- Deuce Jones has dazzled in his rookie campaign. He holds the La Salle program record with his six Atlantic-10 Rookie of the Week awards. The guard leads the A-10 in both points (12.1) and assists (2.8) per game by a freshman.
- White has impressed as of late. The graduate transfer forward is averaging double-figures over his last five games and is averaging 11.6 points and 9.0 rebounds in his last three. He is averaging 9.9 points and 6.3 rebounds on the year.
- Mac Etienne has started 12 games, including the last 11. The redshirt junior is averaging 4.9 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He tied his career-high with 34 minutes against George Mason.
- Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi has started the last two games. He tied his season-high in rebounds and set a career-high in minutes against George Mason.
SCOUTING SAINT JOSEPH'S
- The Hawks are 20-10 and 11-6 in the Atlantic-10. They have won their last five games, including scoring 90 points in each of their last two.
- The trio of Xzayvier Brown, Rasheer Fleming, and Erik Reynolds II leads the Hawks, each scoring over 15 points per game. Fleming also adds a team-leading 8.6 rebounds per game.
- The Hawks are led by Billy Lange in his sixth season. He is 210-235 in his career and 79-101 during his time on Hawk Hill.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST SAINT JOSEPH'S
- Saint Joseph's is La Salle's most-played opponent in program history, with 130 meetings.
- The Hawks hold the advantage, 72-58. The two began sharing a conference in 1995 when La Salle joined the Atlantic-10. Both are founding members of the Big 5.
- The two have met twice this season. Once at Wells Fargo Center at the Big 5 Classic title game and once at Hagan Arena. The Hawks have taken both match ups.
