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The La Salle Explorers (5-5, 5-5 ATS, 4-6 O/U) take on the Cincinnati Bearcats (7-4, 7-3 ATS, 7-3 O/U) in non-conference play on Saturday afternoon. The Explorers dropped a narrow overtime decision against Drexel last time out. The Bearcats pummeled Miami Ohio in their previous bout.
The La Salle Explorers head into this one as a winner of two out of their last three bouts. They recorded an overtime road win against Pennsylvania and defeated Bucknell in the two victories and were labeled small three-point favorites in a 65-58 overtime home defeat against Drexel last Saturday. La Salle has been inconsistent but it has been a difficult schedule with games against power conference foes, Villanova, Wake Forest, and Temple. They have covered the spread in two of their last three clashes.
Khalil Brantley has netted at least 13 points in three out of his last four games. The sophomore guard only managed three points in the loss against Drexel and is averaging 12.9 PPG on 38.5% shooting. Josh Nickelberry is slumping, shooting below 34% in six consecutive games. The senior guard has reached the 20-point mark three times and has posted an average of 11.7 PPG. Anwar Gill scored 15 points last time out. The junior guard has connected on 50% of his field goals in two out of his last three clashes and has logged an average of 9.5 PPG on 47.5% shooting.
HC Fran Dunphy answers questions from the media following our game against Drexel. All press conferences are presented by @IBX.
??: https://t.co/0CIVgu5Y8a#Authenticity | #GoExplorers?? pic.twitter.com/QDNf2tFQzk
— La Salle Men's Basketball (@LaSalle_MBB) December 11, 2022
The Explorers are ranked 221st in DI in Ken Pomeroy’s ratings and are 1-1 in their two road clashes including a loss to Villanova. La Salle is not considered a contender in the A10 this season. The offense is struggling, averaging 68.2 points, pegging them 276th. Their field goal efficiency had dipped to 40.7%. The Explorers are conceding an average of 70.1 points, positioning them 219th.