PHILADELPHIA – Junior Ramon Galloway had a game-high 20 points and was a big part of another outstanding defensive effort to propel the La Salle men’s basketball team past Bucknell, 78-52, on Saturday at Tom Gola Arena.
Galloway shot 5-for-8 shooting from behind the arc to go along with a career-high nine rebounds.
“We have good guards that get penetration and can kick it out when we’re open,” Galloway said of his effective shooting.
Senior Earl Pettis chipped in 18 points, while senior Devon White and sophomore Tyreek Duren each had 11. Joe Willman had 14 points for Bucknell (5-4), which was an NCAA Tournament team last season.
La Salle shot .492 from the field, including a .444 clip from beyondthe arc. The Bison shot .328 during the game.
The Explorers (5-3) were again effective in shutting down an opposing team’s major scoring threat. Bucknell’s Mike Muscala, averaging over 13 points a game, was held to two points on 1-for-9 shooting from the field.
Head coach Dr. John Giannini earned his 400th career win with the victory.
“I’m thrilled it came against Bucknell,” Giannini said of his 400th win. “Bucknell is an outstanding team. I can’t tell you how much I think of the team. We just did a really great job…. I think this game can be a turning point in the non-conference part of our season.”
The Explorers were on top of Bucknell right from the outset, forcing three turnovers in the Bison’s first four possessions. Bucknell, normally shooting .453 from the floor, shot under 25 percent in the opening ten minutes of the first half.
Freshman Jerrell Wright netted the first six points for the Explorers and Galloway drained a pair of free throws to give the Explorers an 8-2 advantage two and a half minutes into the contest.
A Pettis trey made the score 11-2 in the Explorers’ favor.
From there, sharp three-point shooting would help the Explorers extend their lead. The Explorers made five of their next six baskets from beyond the arc to go up 28-12 with just under seven minutes to play in the first half.
The Explorers would take a 43-23 lead into the break.
The intensity continued in the second half. Working with a sizable lead for the remainder of the game, the Explorers continued to work hard on the court. La Salle led by as many as 30 in the second half.
“The credit has to go to our players,” Giannini said. “They played really hard and really responded.”
The Explorers were a perfect 8-for-8 from the free throw line.
The win is revenge of sorts for La Salle, after the team fell 89-77 in last year’s meeting.
The Explorers remain undefeated at home this season and are currently on a six-game home winning streak that dates back to last season.
La Salle will hit the road next for a 7:00 p.m. contest at Towson on Wednesday.
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