La Salle was in need of a win coming into Wednesday after a nine-day layoff. The Explorers played strong in the second half and got what they needed with a 75-62 victory over Hartford.
The Explorers, who were on a two-game losing skid, took over in the second half after repeatedly failing to pull away early.
The Explorers struggled from three-point range in the first half, going just 1 for 8. However, they got the ball down low instead and Steve Zack did the rest. Zack finished with 15 points, seven rebounds and two blocks.
Decent in December
La Salle likes to stay hot in December. The Explorers are now 12-2 in that month over the past two seasons, and 7-0 at home.
Off the bench
Tyrone Garland began the game on the bench. He had just four first-half points but found his rhythm late and finished with 17 points on 5 for 10 from the floor.
Turning point
Sam Mills hit his first three-pointer of the game with 10:04 remaining in regulation after missing his first two attempts in the first half. The basket put La Salle up by 11.
The three was part of an 11-2 run that gave the Explorers control of the game.
Happy to see Hartford
Hartford came into Wednesday’s game 0-5 against La Salle going back to 1985. Hawks head coach and former Explorers assistant coach John Gallagher is 0-3 against his former team.
Zack attack
Zack came into Wednesday’s matchup with Hartford with two straight double-doubles. He was just about the only Explorer to stand out in their previous contest -- a 65-50 loss to Northern Iowa on Nov. 25.
Despite zero free throw attempts in the first half, Zack reached the line four times and converted on 7 of 8 attempts.
Inside the box score
• La Salle was 25 for 34 from the free throw line, which easily bested Hartford’s 12 for 16.
• The Explorers shot 30.8 percent from three-point range. Considering they shot 12.5 percent in the first half, that’s not that bad.
What’s next?
The Explorers will head to New York for a matchup with Stony Brook at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 7 as part of the MSG Holiday Festival. The game will be broadcast on CSN, and tipoff is set for 11 a.m.