PHILADELPHIA – Aaric Murray scored 19 points, grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds and had five blocked shots as La Salle held off Saint Joseph's 76-72 on Thursday night.
The Explorers (10-11, 2-4 Atlantic 10 Conference) won their second straight while the Hawks (5-15, 0-6) have lost six in a row.
La Salle took its first lead at 16-14 with 8:06 left in the first half on a Jerrell Williams layup and never trailed again in a game postponed from Wednesday because of snow.
With the Explorers ahead by 18 with 16:35 left, the Hawks used a 15-2 run to get to 50-45 with 12:49 left.
La Salle rebuilt a 12-point lead, then Ronald Roberts hit four straight baskets for 59-53 with 7:31 to go. The Hawks got within five three times in the last 36 seconds, but could get no closer until a C.J. Aiken 3-pointer with 1 second left for the final margin.
Carl Jones led Saint Joseph's with 24 points.
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