La Salle Shocks St. Joe's, Fans Storm the Floor at the Palestra

In a game that showed glimpses of the greatness capable in a Big Five rivalry, the La Salle Explorers stunned the St. Joe's Hawks 90-89 last night at the Palestra.  It was the Explorers first win in 9 tries against the boys from down on City Line Ave.  La Salle was sparked by an impressive array of three point shooting, finishing the night 16 for 29 (55.2 %) from beyond the arc.

To celebrate the win, a handful of La Salle faithful decided to storm the court at the Palestra.  According to the unwritten code of court storming, I believe this is acceptable (and also rather kickass.)  They snapped a long losing streak to a hated rival.  Video of the court rushing after the jump.

>>La Salle beats St. Joe's in Big Five thriller [Inquirer]

Comments

[Chamomiles Davis]

There isn't much for me to cheer about as a Villanova fan right now, but this will do.

So does that mean St. Joes and Villanova tie for the Big Five championship, or do the Hawks win by virtue of a head-to-head tiebreaker?

[mike c]

I was at this game and i really dont remember lasalle missing 13 3 pointers. They were knocking down everything and were all wide open. The SJU perimeter defense was terrible. And i think if that last shot went in it would have counted because the ball was out before 0:00.

[Benjamin]

As a Nova fan, you can't give St. Joe's the benefit of a head to head win, only because they got us at a tough point in our Big East schedule. Had Nova and St. Joe's went at it before the conference schedule started, Nova would have played much better and been prepared. Next season will be much better when it's not all freshman and sophmores.

But in all seriousness, I really don't know what they say for ties in the Big 5. It's been a while since I last thought about.

[Anthony]

Don't count out the explorers for the Big 5 title. With a victory over temple on march 8th gives la salle a share of the Big 5 title.

[Rodney]

The LaSalle Explorers are much deeper then Saint Joe's and really had the Hawks gassed in the last 3 minutes. Green closed out the game with help from Kimmani Barrett and Yves Mbala.

[Dan]

Lasalle showed tremendous composure in such a big game atmosphere, there veterans led ans their young guns were great as well. With a win against temple in march theyll earn a share of the big 5 title.

One thing that came to my attention was the dirty play of St Joes senior Pat Calethas. This kid who was honored before the game for his scoring obviously not his good sportsmanship. He threw the ball into the lasalle fans once and was warned after a dunk and then in the second half slammed the ball on the ground and sent it into his schools band section of the stands which the refs didnt bat an eye. He was called for fouls on 2 elbows but not on several other cheap shots. Its a shame after four years under Martelli this punk cant play the game like the many great players that have come and gone before him.

[Jon D.]

Also, the ref's made (and didn't make) some pretty controversial, questionable calls. For instance, La Salle was called for a shot clock violation, even though the ball clearly hit the rim, as well as a lane violation with a second left to give St. Joe's the ball. No player went into the lane, and the ball never left Rodney Green's hand.
All in all, great game though, I still don't have a voice from screaming so much.

Go Explorers.

[mike c]

jon d-
the ball did not hit the rim it hit the backboard, and as for the lane violation the lasalle guy went up to shoot and brought the ball back down, cant do that, just like a balk in baseball

[lasalle]

the ball hit the rim on that shot clock violation...i was standing right in front of it