PHILADELPHIA –

The La Salle University men’s basketball team edged a 75-71 double overtime win against Big 5 rival University of Pennsylvania on Monday.

The Explorers (2-0) were coming off of an impressive 61-40 win over St. Peter’s at the Tom Gola Arena for their home opener while the Quakers (0-2) lost 80-72 to Fairfield in their opening contest. 

At the end of the half, the Explorers led by only four points in large part due to mistakes committed on the offensive side of the court. La Salle recorded 10 first-half turnovers while Penn had three.

On the defensive side, the Explorers only allowed Penn to go 8-for-26 from the floor, shooting just under 31 percent. 

The Explorers held on to the lead for a majority of the game until Penn sophomore Ryan Betley scored a three-pointer to give the Quakers a 41-40 lead with just over 10 minutes to play in regulation. 

Throughout the final minutes of the second half, the lead continued to switch between the two teams. AJ Brodeur put the Quakers on top after sinking three free throws but La Salle senior B.J. Johnson answered back with a jumper to tie the game at 50 with 1:24 left to play.

The score remained tied 50 a piece and the game moved into the first overtime frame. Again, the two teams battled and the lead switched back and forth.

At the end of the overtime period, redshirt junior Pookie Powell had an opportunity to win the game for the Explorers but was off the mark on a three-point attempt as the clock ticked down, forcing a second overtime.

La Salle’s Johnson and Tony Washington both fouled out during the second overtime, forcing the rest of the Blue and Gold team to rely on other players to get the job done. 

Graduate student Amar Stukes had only four points going into the second overtime, but scored eight points in the final frame, including a 6-for-6 performance from the foul line.

“Playing at the Palestra always adds to the excitement of the game,” Stukes said. “I just tried to go out there and play to the best of my ability.”

The Quakers held their own and were within two points with 4.6 seconds remaining, but it was not enough as the Explorers came out victorious.

Johnson finished the game with 20 points and 14 rebounds, earning his second straight double- double. Sophomore Saul Phiri also earned a double-double of his own with a career high 12 points and 11 rebounds. Powell finished the game with 17 points of his own.

“We have to work hard as a group and find ways to win so we can have a successful season,” said Stukes.

La Salle will host South Alabama at the Tom Gola Arena tonight at 7 p.m. to continue their five-game stretch in nine days. Last night, UPenn hosted the Midshipmen of Navy. The Quakers pulled out the home victory 66-45. Betley and Caleb Wood led the way for Penn, each totaling 13 points. Penn will host Penn State-Brandywine this Saturday at the Palestra. Tip-off is scheduled for 11:30a.m.