Davidson raced out to a 16-5 lead after ten minutes had elapsed There was no looking back. The Wildcats defeated LaSalle 74-49 on Tuesday. A week ago Bob McKillop’s group built an early lead at Saint Joseph’s. They ultimately lost it and went down on a buzzer beater. Here at the comforts of home, Belk Arena, there was to be no comeback on the part of the opposition.
Possessions: 68
Offensive efficiency: Davidson 109 LaSalle 72
Both offensive and defensive marks on Davidson’s behalf were excellent
What Davidson did well…Pound the offensive boards and care for the ball. Davidson enjoyed a 28-6 per cent edge in offensive rebounding percentage, limiting the Explorers to just two offensive boards. Wildcats committed 10 turnovers- an impressive 15 per cent turnover rate.
What LaSalle did well…Shoot well inside the arc. Ashley Howard’s Explorers were 17 of 34 from two point range. Rising sophomore Ed Croswell was 5 of 7 (from two) for 11 points in 23 minutes.
Leading scorers:
Davidson- Kellan Grady 22, Jon Exel Gudmundsson 14.
LaSalle- Croswell 11, David Beatty 10.
Records: Davidson 15-12 (9-6 A10) – Winners in four of their last 5.
LaSalle 13-14 (4-11) Had a two game win streak snapped.
What’s next? A tough road ahead for Davidson. There are visits to Dayton, unblemished in conference play, and Richmond before winding the regular season up with a home date against VCU.
LaSalle does not have to travel very far in their last three. They host St.Bonaventure and UMass before visiting Saint Joseph’s to end the regular campaign.
LaSalle was 2 of 16 (13 per cent) beyond the arc, Davidson 6 of 19 for 32 per cent.
Beside hitting for 22 points, Grady added 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals and zero turnovers in 29 minutes.
Croswell, at 6’9” and LaSalle’s primary inside threat, had both of the Explorer offensive rebounds.