Zack helps boost La Salle

After starting at center for La Salle's first 14 games, Steve Zack didn't get too hung up about coming off the bench on Saturday. The 6-foot-11 sophomore scored 11 points and grabbed six rebounds in his first reserve role of the season as the Explorers defeated Atlantic Ten rival Richmond, 71-59, at Tom Gola Arena.

La Salle, coming off Wednesday's 74-65 loss at Charlotte, is 11-4, and 1-1 in the A-10. Richmond fell to 11-6, 1-1.

The Explorers, who held the dangerous shooting Spiders to 4 for 18 from beyond the arc, started with a smaller lineup, with 6-5 sophomore D.J. Peterson making his second start of the season in place of Zack.

Richmond's Derrick Williams, a 6-6, 275-pound sophomore who is averaging 13.6 points and 6.8 rebounds, missed the game because of an ankle sprain, thus La Salle went with a smaller lineup.

The Explorers also got a strong inside game from 6-8 sophomore Jerrell Wright, who had 12 points, shooting 6 for 7 from the field, and six rebounds.

"I was doing what I always do," said Zack, who shot 5 for 7. "We decided to put the ball in the post a lot more and take advantage of it."

Zack made an impression on Richmond coach Chris Mooney, a graduate of Archbishop Ryan.

"I am impressed with how much he has improved," Mooney said. ". . . He is night and day from where he was a year ago."

Tyrone Garland, a player known for providing instant offense off the bench, did just that with a game-high 17 points.

With La Salle leading 54-50, Garland scored five consecutive points on a three-point play and then a jumper off the dribble with 3 minutes, 14 seconds left.

"I look to be one of those players coming off the bench to give us a spark," said Garland, a Virginia Tech transfer.

La Salle guard Ramon Galloway, who entered the game leading the A-10 in scoring (18.1 ppg.), was in foul trouble and scored two points. Explorers coach John Giannini said Galloway has been bothered by a leg injury.

One starter who has remained the glue for La Salle is junior point guard Tyreek Duren, who had 15 points, seven assists, one turnover, and a team-high seven rebounds. Duren has 998 points for his career.

Contact Marc Narducci at mnarducci@phillynews.com or @sjnard on Twitter.