RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Steven Smith scored 22 points and Mike St. John added 14 with a career-high 15 rebounds as La Salle surprised Richmond 76-68 Wednesday night.
The Spiders (11-10, 6-4 Atlantic 10 Conference) took the early lead behind six points each from Jermaine Bucknor and Kevin Steenberge. With the Spiders ahead 22-15, a Smith jumper ignited a 23-12 Explorer roll over the rest of the first half.
The Spiders cut the lead to 48-44 with 14:43 remaining. La Salle responded with an 11-0 run over the next 3:25 paced by Smith's six points. Richmond could get no closer than three.
Jermaine Thomas added 17 points for the Explorers (7-14, 3-3). Darnell Harris had 14.
The Spiders, whose five-game win strike was snapped, were led by Jamaal Scott with 18 points and 12 rebounds. Steenberge had 16 points and Courtney Nelson had 10.
