PHILADELPHIA – la Salle men’s basketball is set to compete in the inaugural Cathedral Classic this weekend, facing Hofstra, Penn, and Merrimack in a three-game stretch at Tom Gola Arena.
The Explorers are looking to build momentum after a strong showing from junior Eric Acker,who is averaging 11.5 points per game over the last four contests, leading the team during that span.
La Salle and Hofstra will meet for the 22nd time on Friday, marking their first matchup as 2015. The Explorers hold a 15-6 advantage in the all-time series, with their last victory coming in 2014.
Saturday’s game against Penn will be the 77th meeting between the two programs, with the Quakers leading the series 42-34. La Salle secured a thrilling 93-92 overtime win against Penn in their last encounter at the 2023 Big 5 Classic, thanks to a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Khalil brantley.
Sunday’s contest will be the first-ever game between La Salle and Merrimack.
The series features notable connections: Special Assistant to the Head Coach Joe Mihalich ’78 previously served as Hofstra’s head coach from 2013-2021, compiling a 141-92 record and leading the Pride to four postseason appearances. Assistant Coach Colin Curtin spent 12 seasons at Hofstra, contributing to over 200 wins and four CAA titles, while Associate Head Coach Shane Nichols was an assistant coach at Hofstra from 2013-2015.
Hofstra enters Friday’s game with a 2-3 record, having defeated molloy and Bucknell, but recently falling to Temple 81-76. Penn boasts an extraordinary 3-2 record, securing wins against Saint Joseph’s and Drexel to qualify for the Big 5 Championship game. Merrimack is currently 2-4, with wins over Boston University and Maine, and has faced ranked opponents Auburn and florida.
Following the Cathedral Classic, La Salle will face Drexel at the Big 5 Classic on December 6 at 2:00 pm on NBC Sports Philadelphia.
