WASHINGTON (Interstat) — In a game defined by one team’s commanding interior presence and the other’s persistent offensive struggles, George Washington used a dominant performance from center Rafael Castro to roll past La Salle 77-55 in an Atlantic 10 Conference men’s basketball game Saturday at the Charles E. Smith Center.

The most important part of the game was George Washington’s overwhelming control of the paint and the glass, spearheaded by Castro. The 6-foot-11 junior from Dover, New Jersey, was a force on both ends, recording a double-double with 26 points and 14 rebounds while adding four blocked shots. His activity around the rim stifled La Salle’s offense and fueled the Revolutionaries’ transition game, creating a disparity that the Explorers could never overcome.

George Washington improved to 11-4 overall and 1-0 in the Atlantic 10, while La Salle fell to 4-11 and 0-1.

The game’s pivotal stretch came early in the second half. Leading 36-33 at halftime, George Washington opened the final period with a decisive 9-2 run, capped by a Castro hook shot and a 3-pointer from Christian Jones. That pushed the lead to double digits, and La Salle never got closer than nine points the rest of the way. The Revolutionaries steadily expanded their advantage, leading by as many as 22 in the closing minutes.

Castro’s impact was comprehensive. He altered countless shots at the rim, collected five offensive rebounds that led to second-chance points, and finished efficiently around the basket. His defensive presence was a key reason La Salle managed to shoot just 38.2% from the field and a paltry 53.3% from the free-throw line.

George Washington’s offense, while not always crisp, was effective where it mattered. The Revolutionaries shot 48.4% from the field and outscored La Salle 40-32 in the paint. They also capitalized on mistakes, turning 11 La Salle turnovers into 15 points, compared to just six points off turnovers for the Explorers.

Trey Autry supported Castro with 17 points for George Washington, while Jones added 10 points and four assists. Tyrone Marshall contributed nine points and three assists.

La Salle was led by guard Rob Dockery, a Washington, D.C., native who scored 23 points. Jaeden Marshall added 13 points, but no other Explorer reached double figures. The team’s offensive woes were encapsulated by a lack of ball movement, finishing with only six assists on 21 made baskets.

The statistical profile underscored George Washington’s control. The Revolutionaries won the rebounding battle 41-33, including a 12-7 edge on the offensive glass. They also held advantages in fast-break points (12-6) and points off turnovers (15-6). La Salle’s offensive rating of 87.1 points per 100 possessions highlighted a afternoon of inefficient offense, while George Washington operated at a robust 115.4.

The victory continued a strong stretch for George Washington, which has won three straight and eight of its last nine. Castro, coming off a 27-point performance in a win at Richmond, has been central to that surge. La Salle, meanwhile, dropped its second consecutive game and has lost eight of its last ten.

George Washington next travels to face Dayton on Tuesday. La Salle will look to regroup on the road at Rhode Island on Wednesday.