PHILADELPHIA, PA. 11/22/2014 – Conventional wisdom in basketball states that if the offense is not working well rely on the defense. That is precisely what the La Salle Explorers basketball team is doing as they improve to 3 – 0 on the season after earning a 59 – 50 win over the Peacocks of Saint Peter’s at the Gola Arena.
“I told the team that we should be thrilled,” said La Salle Coach Dr. John Giannini. “We’re playing terrific defense and we’re 3 – 0. Obviously we are struggling on offense, but we can’t let that affect our attitudes or our defense. If we keep playing defense like this we can win despite our offense.”
The Explorers came into the game allowing their opponents to shoot 32.2% from the field. They did a little better in this contest limiting the Peacocks to 31.9% from the field and just 3 of 11 from beyond the arc. La Salle allowed 47 field goal attempts by Saint Pete’s and caused 15 turnovers. La Salle put up 12 more shots than Saint Peter’s.
The hosts did not shoot particularly wee making 28.8% (17 of 59) and made 4 from three-point land. What did work for La Salle was when their guards began to take the ball to the basket resulting in layups and 27 trips to the free throw line. Transfer guard Jordan Price scored a game-high 21 points for the Explorers. He went 5 for 17 from the floor, 2 three’s, and a perfect 9 for 9 from the charity stripe.
“I feel that getting to the line helped me a lot,” Price said. “The last game I did not shoot it well from the free throw line, so I got into the gym and was able to contribute from the line. I feel like me going to the basket and getting to the line helped.”
“He is the one guy we have that cam make something out of nothing, and we have to depend on that,” Giannini said about Price.
The Explorers had more inside presence especially in the form of senior forward Jerrell Wright who posted a double-double scoring 10 points and taking down 12 rebounds in 15 minutes. He did not start the game still feeling the effects of the injured back suffered against Quinnipiac. The decision to play Wright was made by Giannini just before game time.
“It’s good, nothing wrong with it,” said Wright. “I feel one hundred percent right now.”
Forward Marvin Dominique led Saint Peter’s with 9 points and rebounds.
The next outing for La Salle will be Tuesday night at home against St. Francis followed by a game with Virginia in the Barclay’s Center Classic in Brooklyn.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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