Explorers fall in OT to Saint Louis

ST. LOUIS - In the past four seasons, whenever the La Salle Explorers have held a late lead, you could pull out the Sharpie and mark a "W'' in the book.

But not yesterday afternoon at Saint Louis University.

Despite leading for virtually all of the first 39 minutes, the Explorers were unable to close the deal and ended up losing, 68-64, in overtime to the Atlantic 10's last-place team. It marked only the fifth time in the past 74 games since 2011-12 that the Explorers were defeated when they led with 5 minutes to go.

The loss dropped La Salle (15-12, 7-7) into a tie for seventh place in the Atlantic 10 with four games remaining before the conference tournament.

"We hurt ourselves at times," said Explorers coach John Giannini. "I don't want to be overly critical, but we made some really poor plays on both ends of the court. Even though we led basically the whole game and [Saint Louis] did a good job, we really hurt ourselves with some things."

Turnovers by Steve Zack and Jordan Price on consecutive possessions in the final 77 seconds really cost the Explorers. La Salle led, 56-54, when Zack lost possession down low and the Billikens turned it into a game-tying layup by freshman Davell Roby. Price then had the ball stolen by freshman Milik Yarbrough and Saint Louis raced down for another layup, this one by Ash Yacoubou. He was fouled on the play but missed the free throw, giving the Explorers another chance.

This time, Price was fouled with 27 seconds remaining and converted both free throws that sent the game to overtime when Saint Louis missed a late three-pointer. Saint Louis scored the first five points of the extra session and held on by making five of six free throws in the final minute.

Down two points with 11 seconds left in OT, Price had a chance to put La Salle in front but his three-point attempt hit the rim and became wedged between the iron and the backboard. Saint Louis coach Jim Crews called it "freakish."

Giannini didn't see it the same.

"It wasn't close," he said. "That's why it got wedged in there. It wasn't an in-and-out shot."

The coach added he was not necessarily looking for a three-pointer.

"You don't want to take your most talented offensive guy and tell him, 'Don't do this, don't do that,' " Giannini said. "It was a decent look. It could have been a game-winner."

Price led the Explorers with 22 points on 7-for-14 shooting, but he missed five of six three-point attempts and converted only seven of 12 free throws.

After a game at Fordham on Wednesday, La Salle will play its final three games in Philadelphia, with home games against Rhode Island and Dayton and a rematch at Saint. Joseph's on March 4.