TOWSON, Md. – La Salle raced to a 13-0 lead and never looked back in defeating Towson, 89-51, on Wednesday night at the Towson Center. It marked for fourth straight win for the Explorers and was the largest margin of victory since beating Manhattan, 100-60, on February 22, 1990.
Five La Salle players reached double-figures, led by sophomore Sam Mills’ 18, but it again was defensive pressure that took the opposition out of its offense.
The Explorers held Towson to 51 points and 34.5% shooting, marking the third straight game allowing 52 points or less. It was also the third straight game holding the opposition under 35%.
It marked the first time La Salle has held three straight opponents to 52 points or less since December 6-13, 1950 against Millersville (57-39), Loyola-MD (70-42), and Albright (58-51).
“I thought we played really hard and really well,” head coach Dr. John Giannini said. “Our defensive effort was great. I have a great group of players. They are very unselfish in supporting each other no matter who is in the game.”
Senior Earl Pettis and junior Ramon Galloway scored 15 points each, while sophomore Tyreek Duren added 12. Freshman Jerrell Wright had 11 points, 10 in the second half. Freshman D.J. Peterson scored a career-high nine points on three three-pointers.
La Salle (6-3) was hot behind the arc, hitting 14 three’s and shooting 51.9% from long range. The 14 three-pointers were the most since a Darnell Harris-led La Salle team hit 16 vs. Saint Joseph’s on February 18, 2008. Harris, Paul Johnson and
Steve Weingarten were all in the building to witness the victory on Wednesday night.
Mills made five three’s, a new career-high, and Pettis, Galloway and Peterson each made three.
After the 13-0 lead, La Salle did not allow a Towson field goal until 13:35 left in the first half to make it 17-5. The lead remained in double-figures the rest of the half extending to 20 points at 48-28 at intermission.
The largest lead came on the final basket of the game, a nice low-post move by senior walk-on Matt Sheehan for his first career points.
Marcus Damas and Robert Nwankwo each had 12 for the Tigers (0-8).
The Explorers will return home on Saturday to face Army looking for their seventh straight home win, which would tie a Gola Arena record. Tip-off is set for 2 PM.
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