Courtesy of GoExplorers.com
PHILADELPHIA – La Salle scored early and often on Saturday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena and cruised to a 100-71 victory over Sacred Heart in a non-conference tilt. Six Explorers finished in double figures, led by a game-high 22 points from Ramon Galloway, who added seven assists.
“When you have the set of guards that we have and a set of talented big men that’s still emerging, the sky’s the limit on offense,” Galloway said.
The Explorers (8-2) are off to their best start since the 1989-90 team started 9-1 with National Player of the Year Lionel Simmons. The 2005-06 squad also started 8-2.
La Salle continued its excellent play at Gola Arena and have won 20 of its last 24 in the building, including 12 of the last 13 non-conference regular season games.
The Blue and Gold (8-2) came out red hot in the first period, pouring in 66 points by the time the halftime whistle sounded. Runs of 7-0, 12-0, and 14-0 marked the most impressive half scoring output the Explorers registered 68 in a 133-118 win on December 31, 1990 against Loyola Marymount. La Salle converted at 63 percent (25-40) from the field and 54 percent (7-13) from behind the arc in the half and led 66-30.
“We played terrific in the first half,” head coach Dr. John Giannini said. “We certainly played hard, but we didn’t play perfect. We gave up some easy ones but we had a huge lead.”
The sophomore front court tandem on Steve Zack (16 pts, 8 reb) and Jerrell Wright (16 pts, 7 reb) continue to come on strong and were influential in the Explorers outrebounding the Pioneers 37-25, their most impressive margin on the year. Freshman Rohan Brown pulled down seven rebounds and chipped in with a career-high 16 points in 15 minutes off the bench.
“I thought he [Brown] played with great effort,” Giannini said. “The kid has a huge heart. He’s strong, tough, and I’m never surprised when he does tough things that helps his team the way he does.”
Junior Tyreek Duren posted 14 points including four triples while sophomore Tyrone Garland added 12 points and six assists as he continues to get acquainted with his emerging role in the rotation.
“He’s [Garland] a very underrated passer,” Giannini noted. “People think because he scored all those points in high school he’s a scorer first and foremost. I think he’s a very good passer.”
La Salle finished the afternoon 54 percent (34-63) from the floor, 43 percent (9-21) from three, and a sparkling 89 percent (23-26) from the free throw line. The Pioneers shot it at a 47 percent (28-60) clip, including a 45 percent (9-20) mark from three and 67 percent (6-9) from the charity stripe.
The Pioneers (2-8) were led in scoring by senior guard Shane Gibson’s 19 followed by 15 from sophomore guard Steve Glowiak. Sacred Heart turned it over 22 times and forced 16 Explorer turnovers in the contest.
The Blue and Gold have put on an offensive clinic in their last two, scoring 188 points and converting 70-134 (52 percent) from the field.
The Explorers will take a week off before traveling to Siena for a December 29 (7 PM) matchup against the Saints.
Wow – It’s as if La Salle and Villanova have switched roles in the Big 5. This teams sounds like a Jay Wright team of old whole ‘Nova continues to struggle. Hopefully the Explorers will be on TV soon; look forward to seeing this back-court in action.