GAME NOTES: Today at the Tom Gola Arena, the La Salle Explorers will host the Saint Louis Billikens in Atlantic 10 action. It has been a roller coaster ride for the Billikens thus far, as the team have been unable to find consistency on the court. Coming into today's game, the Billikens have lost three of their last four contests, including a heartbreaking, 54-53 overtime loss to Temple this past Sunday. The loss dropped Saint Louis to just 1-3 in conference action. As for the Explorers, they had their small two-game winning streak snapped with a tough, 84-78 setback to Charlotte this past Wednesday. The loss left La Salle with just a 2-3 mark at the Gola Arena, and also dropped the team's league record to just 2-2 on the year. Last February the Billikens evened the all-time series against La Salle at four games apiece with a strong, 59-52 victory over the Explorers.

The Billikens' play offensively has been embarrassing at times during the season. Saint Louis is shooting a mediocre 44.0 percent from the field, but that has led to just 57.5 ppg. Kevin Lisch and Tommie Liddell III have been the only two consistent scoring threats. Lisch is posting a team-best 13.2 ppg, and is also leading the squad with 50 assists and 20 steals. As for Liddell, he is netting 12.1 ppg, but the guard has struggled with his ball-handling skills, and is currently leading the team with 42 turnovers. The Billikens are coming off a heartbreaking, 54-53 overtime loss to Temple. In the setback, the Billikens shot just 38.0 percent from the field and made only 5-of-16 shots from behind the arc. Lisch led the way with 17 points in the contest, while Liddell added 12 points and nine rebounds.

As for the Explorers, they have done well offensively, netting 73.7 ppg, while shooting 43.6 percent from the field. However, the play on offense has not led to many wins for La Salle, as the team is just 7-11 overall. Darnell Harris has been outstanding from behind the arc and is netting 50.0 percent of his three- point attempts. Harris' strong shooting is the main reason why he is leading the squad with 16.2 ppg. Rodney Green is the only other player netting double- figures, as the guard is posting 13.3 ppg to go along with 5.2 rpg and a team- best 25 steals. La Salle was once again solid offensively the last time they were on the court. however, the team still suffered a loss, falling to Charlotte, 84-78. Ruben Guillandeaux and Yves Mekongo Mbala led the way with 15 points apiece. As for Harris, he tallied 14 points, along with Jerrell Williams, who also collected 11 rebounds in the loss.

The Billikens have done horribly on the road this season. La Salle is not a top tier team in the A-10, however the Explorers can produce offensively and that should be enough to boost La Salle over Saint Louis here.