La Salle falls to Robert Morris, 51-44, in Philly Hoop Classic

After showing strides early in the season, La Salle suffered a setback Friday in a 51-44 loss to Robert Morris at the Palestra as part of the Philly Hoop Group Classic.

Even though they held a distinct height advantage, the Explorers (2-3) were outrebounded, 45-30. Their shooting wasn't much better, just 31 percent from the field, including 3 for 22 from three-point range.

La Salle coach John Giannini said the rebounding margin was the "biggest problem he had" and a "gigantic problem." The Colonials' tallest player in their rotation is 6-foot-7, while the Explorers feature four taller players.

"We are not soft, we have some tough guys," said Giannini. "I think Robert Morris is the highest level of toughness. . . . You have to tip your hats to them."

The Explorers never trailed by more than five points until the final minute, yet the offense seemed to play with a sense of panic. Firing three-pointer after three-pointer, La Salle regularly cut its possessions short without trying to drive toward the basket.

With the shots not falling, did Giannini tell his players to stop shooting the three?

"We did talk about getting to the basket a little bit more, but when your big guys aren't really effective, you're not left with a whole lot of options," he said. ". . . We had a couple big guys who just did not contribute very much."

The first half moved along at super-slow pace, as the teams entered the break tied at 19. After Sam Mills knocked down a smooth three in transition to give La Salle a 11-9 lead with 13 minutes, 5 seconds left, the Explorers went over seven minutes before hitting another field goal.

The 19 points scored in the first half were four shy of the school's all-time low, set in 1995 and the 44 total points were three shy of the mark set in 1993.

For the second straight game, senior forward Devon White fouled out.

This time, he racked up four fouls in his first five minutes on the court before finding his fifth late in the game after logging just seven minutes. He has picked up at least three fouls in each of the Explorers' four games, which limits the way La Salle can utilize freshman forward Jerrell Wright.

"It's a four-year pattern," Giannini said. "I love Devon to death, he's physically gifted, but he needs to start having some good games for us. . . . I gave him every opportunity I possibly can."

The Explorers welcomed back junior guard Ramon Galloway, who suffered a concussion in the opener and missed the team's last three games. He didn't shy away from contact and provided a highlight-reel, reverse, double-clutch dunk in the game's lackluster first half.