PHILADELPHIA (AP) Pookie Powell scored 18 points and B.J. Johnson added 15 points and 11 rebounds as LaSalle ran away from Saint Peter's, 61-40 in the season opener Saturday.

The Explorers found their way to an 11-point lead after a half and padded their advantage in the second half.

The game was the first of four LaSalle will play in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament, with the final two at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

The Peacocks took a 16-13 lead on Nick Griffin's three-pointer, but Johnson answered with a 3 to put LaSalle in front, 18-16 and spark a 15-0 run that put the Explorers in command.

LaSalle held Saint Peter's to 15 of 49 shooting (30.6 percent) from the field, including 7 of 20 from deep. Meanwhile the Explorers shot 22 of 47 (46.8 percent) from the floor and 7 of 19 from deep.

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