La Salle Explorers Dominate Coppin State, Head Coach Darris Nichols Gets First Win

Philadelphia:  There is a certain feel when you get to play in front of the home fans for the 1^st time this season & that is what we saw on Wednesday night as the LaSalle Explorers opened their season against Coppin State Eagles from John E Glaser Arena. This game would make the debut of the new head coach at LaSalle in Darris Nichol, who takes over for the legend in Fran Dunphy

Lineup:

Our starting 5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/XmdaHPFA1U

— La Salle Men’s Basketball (@LaSalle_MBB) November 5, 2025

How the game went:

Early in the 1^st half both LaSalle & Coppin State would each miss their first 4 shots of game. The Explorers would get the scoring started at the foul line for a 2-0 lead before Coppin State got on the board. One of the plays in the 1^st half was a Sick Dunk from Jerome Brewer

The steal, the lob and the dunk from @jbrew_21 🔥 pic.twitter.com/djzWy5ud0G

— La Salle Men’s Basketball (@LaSalle_MBB) November 5, 2025

The Explorers would take an 11-2 lead into the 1^st media timeout. & into that timeout, the Explorers would be on 13-0 run over the last 5 minutes. The entire first half was completely controlled by the Explorers & Coppin State had no answer, as the lead reached 37-11.

Late in the 1st half, LaSalle Edwin Daniel would have a moment that he would not forget as he scored his 1st career points

Driving to the lane for @EdwinIWS27 first career bucket! pic.twitter.com/CZ1m8hKRhD

— La Salle Men’s Basketball (@LaSalle_MBB) November 6, 2025

LaSalle would take a 47-23 lead into halftime. It was a very impressive showing in the 1st half under new head coach Darris Nichols. What could Coppin State do to get back into the game, the Explorers would keep the pressure on them & pick up where they left off.

LaSalle Jerome Brewer would have another highlight dunk

Coast to coast capped off with a @jbrew_21 slam! pic.twitter.com/gvBZojAknp

— La Salle Men’s Basketball (@LaSalle_MBB) November 6, 2025

Coppin State is attempting to get back into the game, but the defense by LaSalle has been very good and is making things challenging.

LaSalle Trush Harris would get injured in the 1st half & had to be helped off the court & would nto return as he would be in a walking boot on the bench

LaSalle Truth Harris is not back in the game, hurt his Ankle in the 1st half

He is on the bench in a walking boot#GoExplorers #A10MBB #CSUvsLAS #Big5Hoops pic.twitter.com/AD8B70RkSw

— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) November 6, 2025

The Explorers would sail to a 87-59 win over Coppin State for the 1st coaching win of Darris Nichols

Final: #LaSalleMBB beats Coppin State for Darris Nichols 1st win as Head Coach #GoExplorers #A10MBB #CSUvsLAS #Big5Hoops pic.twitter.com/kLAxTDSV8M

— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) November 6, 2025

Postgame:

LaSalle Coach Darris Nichols:

I asked @LaSalle_MBB Coach Darris Nichols what he can take away from tonight going into the next game on Saturday#GoExplorers #A10MBB #CSUvsLAS #Big5Hoops pic.twitter.com/Zw2gxhf83j

— David Malandra Jr (@DaveMReports) November 6, 2025

Final Numbers:

What is Next:
LaSalle will attempt to start the season with back-to-back wins as they battle Monmouth on Saturday.