Explorers Win Thriller

It wasn’t pretty but it was sweet. La Salle overcame a seven point deficit late in the second half and escaped with an 82-79 opening round win over Duquesne in the Atlantic 10 tournament. They will face Temple tomorrow evening in a second round match-up.

La Salle, losers of three games in a row, looked to be heading for its fourth consecutive loss before senior sniper Darnell Harris with 57 seconds left in the game pulled up and drained an NBA distance three pointer to tie the game at 79. Several Duquesne miscues and free throws from Rodney Green and Ruben Guillandeaux sealed the deal as La Salle walked away with its 15th victory of the year. It was a game La Salle never should have won as the Explorers missed 15 of 30 free throws as well as committing 20 turnovers. In addition plays such as a lane violation and fouling Duquesne’s Reggie Jackson from three point distance haunted the Explorers all night. Despite shooting itself in the foot La Salle would stay in the game as Duquesne would also have their share of problems. Committing 20 free throws themselves including three critical ones late in the game that allowed La Salle to secure the victory.

It was Harris who came up big again making the big shot when needed. He surpassed Villanova’s Gary Buchanan as the Big 5 All Time leader in three pointers with his second one of the evening. But it was the 27 footer with just under a minute to go that Explorer fans will remember. The 6”1 senior has made it a habit of hitting big shots recently and this season will be one to remember the Baltimore native by as Harris has provided many great memories and has also allowed La Salle to play for at least one more day. A rematch with the Temple Owls waits. The Explorers will need more big shots from Harris to stay with perhaps the hottest team in the conference.