Heading into Wednesday night, George Washington won seven straight games against LaSalle and 16 of the last 19 overall.  LaSalle was winless in 11 tries at The Charles E. Smith Center . Unfortunately, it did not hold Wednesday and LaSalle (9-12,4-4 A-10) get their first win at The Smith Center and hand George Washington’s (5-13, 1-7 A-10) their seventh straight loss.

Throughout the night GW had excellent opportunities to score, but could not put the ball in the basket.  Early on, LaSalle went on an 11-0 run before F Damian Hollis hit two free throws with 15:27 left in the 1^st half.  GW fell behind and  got away from setting up their offense and began to forced  shots. George Washington was sluggish on defense mid-way through the 1^st half and LaSalle went on an 9-0 run before Guard Johnny Hollis stopped the bleeding with a reverse lay-up with 6:21 left in the 1^st half. From the bench, Hollis led GW in scoring with 14 points on 5-for-14 shooting and 5 rebounds. In the first half   Maureece Rice and  Rob Diggs were held scoreless.

The A-10 player of the week, F Rob Diggs could not find his rhythm as LaSalle double teamed him every time he touched the ball. GW was down by 18 points-38-20 as the second half began. GW made some adjustments on defense with a full court press and on the offensive end, they spread the floor so Diggs could go one-on-one without being doubled. Diggs scored on the team’s first procession. The strategy for Diggs worked as he finished strong with 13 points on 6-for-9 shooting and 5 rebounds.

  Baltimore native G Darnell Harris (St. Frances) who finished with 20 points on 6-for-10 shooting, all from 3-point land, and 6 rebounds. Harris also had help from DC’s own F Paul Johnson (Gonzaga) as he finished with 13 points on 5-for-8 shooting and 5 rebounds.

Hollis provided some energy for GW with the first dunk of the game with 7:59 left, but for every shot GW made, LaSalle matched it. GW never led in the contest. Despite the  the good looks they had created with the second half offensive adjustments, the ball would not go in the basket for GW.  Guard Maureece Rice finished with 0 points on 0-for-6 shooting and 2 rebounds and  will have to wait to pass Vaughn Jones to move into 28^th place on GW’s all-time scoring list with 1,157 career points.Rice needs just 2 points and he should get it against Dayton( 16-5, 4-4 A-10) on Saturday.