La Salle wins on ‘Southwest Philly Floater’

The Explorers are still dancing after knocking off No. 12 Ole Miss on Sunday night.

La Salle is still dancing.

Twenty-one years after its last waltz, the gritty team from North Philadelphia is moving on to the Sweet 16 after beating Ole Miss, 76-74, Sunday night. Ramon Galloway paced the Explorers with 24 points, with Tyreek Duren adding 19 points.

Great performances from two great players, but the shot of the night belonged to Tyrone Garland (17 points). With two ticks showing on the clock, Garland scooped home the game-winning lay-up. There was no doubt about it, the leaner was going in.

Right then, the legend of the “Southwest Philly Floater” was born. That’s the way Garland described the shot in his postgame interview with truTV’s Craig Sager.

“Time was running out, and I felt like I could get the drive,” Garland said. “When I cut, I just saw an opening and took the ball up.”

The win cemented La Salle’s deepest run in the NCAA tournament since 1955, when they advanced all the way to the title game. The Explorers (24-9) have three wins in five days. They’ll get No. 9 Wichita State in the regional semifinals Friday in Los Angeles.