PHILADELPHIA, PA. 12/18/ 2019 – The La Salle Explorers won their third consecutive game, and sixth of the last seven, defeating the Wagner Seahawks 74 – 60 at the Gola Arena. Junior guard Scott Spencer lead the Explorers scoring a career-high 17 points.
The La Salle players shared the ball and shared the offense. Of the ten players who took the floor all of them put points on the board. It makes it hard on the defense when they could not key on a player or two.
“I tell our guys there is strength in numbers,” said La Salle Coach Ashley Howard. “As long as the ball moves, we have talent, and if we play the right way it’s going to be someone else’s night every night. It is important on our team because we don’t have one guy. We have a lot of guys who are capable. It takes a team effort and being unselfish that makes us be the best team we can be offensively.”
“Coach talks a lot about strength in numbers,” said freshman Christian Ray. “Everybody that comes in, we believe in. We moved the ball. I remember one play in the second half where we moved the ball all the way around and to the corner and Sherif (Kenney) hit a three. A play like that makes everybody buy in.”
La Salle took control early getting a 19 – 4 advantage in the first seven minutes. In the second half the lead would grow to as many as 25 points. Wagner would cut the gap to 11 points with just under 2 minutes left. Playing from ahead is where the Explorers strive to be.
“It is important for us to establish a mindset,” said Howard. “We have to set the tone. We have to focus on our habits. We have to prepare to be the most fundamentally sound, the most disciplined, playing hard together, team that we can be.”
Two Drexel graduates, two friends, were coaching against each other in this game. Ashley Howard going against Bashir Mason. It was an emotional place in time.
“This was a special day especially coaching against Bashir,” Howard said. “We were roommates in college. I was a senior, he was a freshman point guard. He was my brother and I am proud of him and all of the success they’ve had. You don’t want to compete against your friend, but in this business, if you’ve been around long enough it’s inevitable.”
Isiah Deas, coming off a collegiate-best 31 points, scored 13 points, and guard Sharif Kenney also contributed 13. Ray pulled down a career-high 10 rebounds, while Saul Phiri and Ayinde Hikim each dished out 4 assists.
Alex Morales headed the Seahawks with 17 points. Ja’Mer Fletcher posted 12 points and Nigel Jackson added 10.
The Explorers (7 – 3) continue the home stand taking on Farleigh Dickinson, also of the NEC, on Saturday.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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