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Philadelphia, PA - La Salle never trailed en route to posting an 80-54 victory over Wagner in non-conference action at Tom Gola Arena. The Explorers improve to 6-5 with the win while the Seahawks fall to 5-7.

Senior Kenneth Ortiz (Newark, NJ / Southern Mississippi) led all players with a game-high 18 points while also adding four assists and turning the ball over just once over a game-high 37 minutes at the point.

Led by Steve Zack (12 points, 17 rebounds) and Jerrell Wright (17 points, 7 rebounds), La Salle dominated the glass by a 50-29 count, including 22-7 on the offensive end, leading to a 19-5 advantage on second chance points.

With the score knotted at 2-2 in the early going, the Explorers ripped off a game-changing 19-5 run - including 11-straight at one point - in opening up a 21-7 advantage with 10:42 to play before halftime. The lead would grow to 17, before La Salle entered intermission up 38-23.

In the opening stanza, the Explorers shot just 35.9 percent (14-of-39), but used a 12-0 advantage in second chance opportunities to head into the break with a 15-point cushion. Wagner was led by Ortiz, who had a hand in 17 of the 23 Seahawk markers (12 points, 2 assists).

After halftime, the Green & White methodically chipped away and drew to within 50-37 at 13:32 mark of the second half following a Dwaun Anderson (So., Suttons Bay, MI / Michigan State) fast break layup while forcing a La Salle timeout.

Unfortunately, Zack answered with a jumper on the ensuing possession and Wagner never got closer the rest of the way.

Anderson, who delivered a thunderous alley oop dunk in the first half, notched double-figures for the second time in his career with 11 markers, on 5-of-9 shooting. Junior Jay Harris (Aurora, IL / Valparaiso) scored 10 of his 14 points after halftime while adding four assists to round out the Seahawk double-digit performers.

Classmate Mario Moody (Jersey City, NJ / East Orange Campus) led the Green & White frontcourt with eight rebounds, seven points and two blocks.

Both teams were pristine with the ball as La Salle turned it over just three times while handing out 21 assists as Wagner had just five miscues to go along with 11 helpers.

The Seahawks finished up shooting 38.6 percent (22-of-57) from the field, including 40.0 percent (4-of-10) from long range, while Explorers made good on 42.6 percent (29-of-68) from the floor, including 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from deep.

Tyreek Duren had 11 points and six assists, against no turnovers, while Sam Mills (13 points) and Tyrone Garland (8 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists) rounded out the top performers for La Salle.

Wagner returns to action against former Northeast Conference rival Monmouth on Monday, December 30 at 3:00 pm.

Follow Wagner Athletics on Twitter (@wagnerathletics) for all the latest news and updates on the athletic department, @WagnerHoops for news and updates on the men's basketball program and Bashir Mason">@BashirMason for news on the second-year coach.