Explorers grab much needed win

Coming off a gut-wrenching triple overtime loss to Richmond in the A-10 opener, La Salle traveled to Olean to face some of the toughest fans in the A-10. The Explorers walked out with their first conference win due to gutsy performances from four players who played very inspired basketball.

Much like the old western movies of long ago, La Salle rode into town looking to cause havoc on a little town in western New York and after it was done four horsemen led the Explorers out of town holding their first conference win of the season in tow. Sparked by terrific performances from Darnell Harris(21pts, 4-9 from 3-point range), Rodney Green(19pts, 7rebs, 5 assists), Kimmani Barrett(17pts, 6 rebs) and Jerrell Williams(15pts, 15rebs), La Salle erased a 12 point halftime deficit and outscored the Bonnies 46-23 in the second half cruising to victory.

The Explorers completely changed their game in the second half pounding the Bonnies on the boards by 14 in the half while only committing 2 turnovers. After Kimmani Barrett tied the game on a three point play La Salle never looked back hitting their free throws while holding St. Bonaventure without a field goal for most of the last 8 minutes until a late lay-up which the Explorers gladly gave to get the win. La Salle’s defense held the Bonnies to 35% shooting in the game.

Only Harris, Green, Barrett, and Jerrell Williams would score in the game for La Salle. All four scored in double digits and those four would stay in the game as John Giannini abandoned his usual fluid substitution patterns to stay with the hands that would smother the Bonnies in the second half. Williams’ 15 rebound performance was a career high and most likely will help him garner his third rookie of the week honors and his fourth double-double of the season. Harris started slow but kept La Salle close in the second half by draining back to back three pointers and also scored a couple of baskets taking the ball to the rack. After Harris cooled just a little Barrett and Williams asserted themselves on the boards and in the lane getting key baskets while also hitting their free throws. Rodney green played a solid all around game and played well the entire game and held down the Explorer tent until help arrived from the other three.

La Salle is off until Tuesday night when they travel to the Palestra to take on Penn (5-9) in their second Big 5 game of the season. It will be interesting to see if these same four horsemen can continue their fine play while the Explorers look to find another player step up and complete the rotation. After the win La Salle is 1-1 during this seven game stretch of winnable games. A win over the Quakers could help the momentum build and push the Explorers to the next level. A loss could tear down a lot of what was built during this win by the four scorers tonight. The Explorers have been here before. Can they continue the push to get over the hump? If Darnell Harris, Rodney Green, Kimmani Barrett, and Jerrell Williams play like they did tonight they may ride through University City with another win this Tuesday.