PHILADELPHIA - West Chester University men's basketball visited Division I La Salle University for an exhibition game on Saturday and lost 70-63 despite holding a lead in the game's final minutes.
A made jump shot by sophomore
Josh Samec (Tresckow, Pa. / Hazelton Area) gave West Chester a 23-12 lead with 6:07 remaining in the first half, but the Explorers crept back into it and led 28-27 as the half came to a close.
La Salle took control throughout the first part of the second half, jumping out to a 48-39 advantage with 11:24 left in regulation.
West Chester didn't go away, and a successful free throw from sophomore
Marcus Littles (Philadelphia / Neumann Goretti) had the Golden Rams leading 62-60 with two minutes to go.
The La Salle defense tightened up, and West Chester only had one more field goal attempt throughout the remainder of the game as the Explorers closed it on a 10-1 run.
Freshman guard
Robbie Heath (Whittlesea, Australia / Abington) led all West Chester scorers with 16 points, and senior
Malik Jackson (Lansdowe, Pa. / Penn Wood) had 14.
Littles led all rebounders in the game with nine.
West Chester's regular season tips off on Friday at 7:30 p.m. with Claflin University and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. against Lincoln University. The Golden Rams are hosting four teams for the Messikomer Tournament on Friday and Saturday.
PHOTO GALLERY BY JOSH VERLIN
