This was not part of the Big 5 series, a centerpiece of Philadelphia basketball history. That does not diminish the intensity evident when two of the schools in that group line it up to do battle. The second time around in A10 play, Billy Lange’s Hawks made it a season sweep. In a game with nine lead changes, Saint Joseph’s defeated La Salle 88-82 Saturday at Tom Gola Arena. Saint Joseph’s improved to 15-7 (5-4). La Salle is now 11-11 (2-7).
Possessions : 71
Offensive efficiency: SJU 124, La Salle 115
Four Factors:
eFG Pct: SJU 56, La Salle 51
FT rate: SJU 60, La Salle 25
OREB Pct: SJU 33, La Salle 32
TO rate: La Salle 9, SJU 17
Kenpom.com MVP: Jhamir Brickus, La Salle. The senior guard scored a game-high 24 points, shooting 6 of 8 from beyond the arc.
Special mention must be made regarding Lynn Greer III. of Saint Joseph’s. The junior guard scored 16 points adding a game-high 10 rebounds.
Leading scorers: Saint Joseph’s- Erik Reynolds II 21 points. Rasheer Fleming 17.
La Salle- Brickus 24 points, Khalil Brantley, Rokas Jocius and Andres Marrero 15.
What Saint Joseph’s did well. Show resilience. La Salle had a 12 point second half lead. Fran Dunphy’s Explorers appeared to be in the driver’s seat. The Hawks did not panic and led by Greer with 14 of his 16 points coming after intermission, slowly chipped away and got back and positioned themselves to take a road victory.
What La Salle did well. Care for the ball. The Explorers only turned it over six times for an outstanding 9% turnover rate.
Both teams showed efficiencies above their A10 averages. Saint Joseph’s averages 113, good for second in the conference. La Salle’s norm is 101, 13th in A10 play.
The Explorers attempted 34 of their 69 shots from long range. On the afternoon they shot 41% (14 of 34) from three. By contrast they took four attempts at the rim, hitting two. Saint Joseph’s had the hot hand from three connecting on 10 of 21 for 48%. Jocias of La Salle and Saint Joseph’s Reynolds led their respective teams with five three pointers each.
Saint Joseph’s started 0-3 and has now won five of their last six in A10 play. La Salle, in conference, has now dropped six of seven. Interestingly, the Explorers are 0-4 at Tom Gola Arena.
