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Bonnies take control as La Salle stumbles

OLEAN, N.Y. - Paul Williams had 20 points and 10 rebounds, leading five St. Bonaventure players in double figures yesterday as the Bonnies beat La Salle, 87-73, at the Reilly Center.

OLEAN, N.Y. - Paul Williams had 20 points and 10 rebounds, leading five St. Bonaventure players in double figures yesterday as the Bonnies beat La Salle, 87-73, at the Reilly Center.

After St. Bonaventure (5-13, 2-3 Atlantic Ten) jumped out to a 10-2 lead three minutes into the game, La Salle finished the first half on a 17-0 run to take a 41-35 halftime lead.

The Explorers (8-11, 1-4) started the second half with a 9-4 run to take a 50-39 advantage, but the Bonnies countered with a 16-2 run of their own to take a 55-52 lead with 12 minutes remaining.

The teams traded baskets until the Bonnies put together a 13-2 run in the game's closing minutes to snap a three-game losing streak.

"I am really proud of our team because of the poise they showed today," St. Bonaventure coach Anthony Solomon said. "We weathered the storm and played with passion in the second half."

Darnell Harris led the Explorers, who lost for the ninth time in 11 games, with 23 points. Paul Johnson added 11 points and Yves Mekongo Mbala contributed nine points and 11 rebounds.

Michael Lee added 19 points for St. Bonaventure. Zarryon Fereti and A.J. Hawkins both scored 14.

La Salle, which does not have a player taller than 6-foot-8, outrebounded the Bonnies, 40-29.