By Malcolm Price

GAME NOTES

https://goexplorers.com/documents/2024/12/30/2024-25_La_Salle_MBB_Game_14_Notes_vs._Dayton.pdf

12 31 2024

DAYTON, OHIO  – The La Salle men’s basketball team begins Atlantic-10 play with a trip to face conference favorite, the Dayton Flyers. The Explorers will look to keep their momentum going after two straight wins before a ten-day break for the holiday season.

The game will be broadcast on ESPN+ and FanDuel Sports Ohio. The game audio will also be streamed with Kale Beers providing play-by-play. Additionally, Explorers fans can follow the team on X/Twitter @LaSalle_MBB and Instagram @LaSalleMBB.

LAST TIME OUT – LA SALLE 108, IMMACULATA 48

• La Salle defeated Division III opponent, the Immaculata Mighty Macs, 108-48 last Saturday to close out the non-conference schedule with an 8-5 record and a perfect 6-0 mark at home. 108 points are the most the Explorers have scored since racking up 117 against Puerto Rico Mayaguez in 2007.
• The Explorers built an insurmountable lead in the first half and did not look back.
• Five players on the La Salle side scored in double figures for the third time this season.
• Sophomore Tunde Vahlberg Fasasi led all scorers with a career-high 21 points and hit 5-5 from beyond the arc.
• La Salle was very efficient on offense, racking up 26 assists, its most this season.

NEWS AND NOTES

• La Salle has yet to lose a men’s basketball game in John Glaser Arena, with a perfect 6-0 record. This is the first time the Explorers earned a perfect non-conference home record since the 1999-00 season. The men’s and women’s teams combine for a 10-1 mark in their new home in non-conference play.
• Dating back to February 17^th of last season, the Explorers have claimed victory in their last eight home contests. They have not dropped a home game in 330 days.
• Rebounding has been established as the Explorers’ calling card this season. La Salle ranks fourth in the A-10 in rebounding (39.9), its most rebounds per game since 1990-91 (40.2). After Immaculata, the Explorers have two games with over 50 rebounds for the first time since 2011 (4).
• McKeithan returned to form following a pair of down performances. The guard reached double figures for the tenth time this season against Immaculata, knocking down four of five from beyond the arc. He ranks tenth in the A-10 in scoring (16.7 ppg)
• Demetrius Lilley is pulling down 7.2 boards per game, 9th in the Atlantic-10.
• Wing Daeshon Shepherd is second on the team in scoring, adding 11.2 points per game. He set a new career-high with 24 points against FDU two games ago, along with career-highs in steals (3), field goals (7), and free throws (8).
• Jones has dazzled in his rookie campaign. He became the first Explorer to win Rookie of the Week twice in the same season since 2011-12 last week. The guard is averaging 15.5 points and 4.75 rebounds in his last four games. He is leading all A-10 freshmen in points (10.3), and assists (1.8) and is top four in rebounds and steals.
• Jahlil White rounds out the starting five. The graduate transfer from Temple is averaging 10.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game.

SCOUTING DAYTON

• Dayton is 10-3 on the season, including a perfect 9-0 mark at home.
• The Flyers three losses have come against ranked foes in No. 12 North Carolina, No. 5 Iowa State, and most recently No. 19 Cincinnati last time out on Dec. 20, 66-59.
• Four players are averaging double figures for the Flyers. Nate Santos is a name that will ring familiar to Explorers’ fans. The forward was named third-team All A-10 last season. He ranks second on the squad in points (13.8) and rebounds (5.7).
• Former national Coach of the Year Anthony Grant leads the Flyers in his eighth season. During his time in Ohio, he has led Dayton to a 159-75 record.

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST DAYTON

• Dayton holds a 32-19 advantage all-time over the Explorers.
• The two have shared a home in the A-10 since both joined the conference in 1995.

COURTESY LA SALLE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS