Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Tyreek Duren tied the game up at the end
of regulation with a deep three-pointer and scored the go-ahead bucket in the
extra session to lift the La Salle Explorers to a 77-74 overtime win over
their Philadelphia Big 5 rival Villanova Wildcats in a thriller at Tom Gola
Arena.
Ramon Galloway led La Salle (3-1) by scoring a game-high 26 points and also
recorded five steals. Duren finished with 23 points and team-high five
assists, Jerell Wright added 10 points, and Steve Zack pulled down 14 rebounds
to help the Explorers pick up their second straight win.
Mouphtaou Yarou paced Villanova (3-3) with 20 points and seven rebounds.
JayVaughn Pinkston was not in the Wildcats' starting lineup for the first time
this season, but he provided a spark off the bench with 19 points, seven
rebounds, and four assists. Ryan Arcidiacono dished out a game-high seven
assists but also committed a game-high six turnovers.
The Explorers were in front in the early stages and held a 23-15 advantage at
the 9:16 mark of the opening half. Villanova's bench provided 15 points in the
opening 20 minutes to help it overcome the deficit and take a 34-30 advantage
into the intermission.
The Wildcats continued their momentum after the break and built a 42-31 lead
in the early stages of the second half. La Salle rallied back to tie the score
but could not manage to go in front. With 25 seconds remaining, Arcidiacono
made a free throw to extend Villanova's advantage to 77-74 with 25 seconds
remaining. Duren then sent the crowd into a frenzy with a game-tying three-
pointer with seven seconds remaining. Arcidiacono drove the basket in the
closing seconds of regulation but the ball was knocked loose and time expired
with the contest knotted up at 77. Villanova allowed the Explorers to come
back despite shooting 60 percent from the field in the second half.
Villanova held a 74-71 edge with possession with just under two minutes
remaining in the overtime. Galloway came up with a steal which led to a layup
for Rohan Brown. On the Wildcats' next possession, Duren stole the ball from
Arcidiacono before putting the team ahead with a layup with only 18 seconds
left to play. La Salle hung on for the win after Yarou missed a jumper and
Zack iced it with a pair of free throws.
Although the Wildcats held a 40-31 advantage in the rebounding battle, they
were not able to overcome their 18 turnovers.
GAME NOTES:
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