Explorers Shoot Down Hawks

Kimmani Barrett and Rodney Green both led La Salle with 14 points as the Explorers built a 13 point second half lead before holding on to defeat the Hartford Hawks in non-conference action. La Salle will now have a week off before returning to Tom Gola arena to face Big 5 rival Villanova.

This season has played like movie Groundhog Day. It is the same scenario game in and game out. La Salle struggles playing good fundamental basketball in the first half and holds a small lead against an inferior opponent. In the second they push the lead to double digits only to hold on to secure victory. The reason is pretty obvious. The Explorer offense becomes stagnant at times due to the inability to protect the ball and yesterday against Hartford was no different. La Salle committed 15 turnovers while only getting 7 assists. Until the Explorers find a way to protect the basketball, get easy baskets in transition, and find a leader the struggles will most likely continue. Still, despite its early season problems there were some bright spots yesterday for the Explorers. However, it won’t get an easier next week when highly ranked Villanova comes to town.

In the first half yesterday La Salle once again started slowly with a sloppy offense turning the ball over against the Hawks. In all the Explorers committed 10 first half turnovers and while the offense struggled the defense allowed Hartford senior point guard Jaret von Rosenberg to penetrate the basketball and left other Hartford players open on several occasions. von Rosenberg hurt the Explorers to a tune of 12 first half points. At one point the Hawks held a 20-12 lead in the first half before La Salle began to claw its way back on key three pointers from sophomore guard Darryl Partin and junior Ruben Guillandeaux. Eventually the Explorers would claim the lead for good on a Guillandeaux three point basket which made it 29-27 right before halftime.

Enter Vernon Goodridge. The 6”9 transfer from Mississippi State showed what coach John Giannini was hoping for when he made reference to Goodridge had the capability of being very good. In the opening minutes of the second half Goodridge used his aggressiveness and size to score 6 consecutive points with some strong post moves, free throw shooting, and rebounding as he helped La Salle get some breathing room as they would use Goodridge’s efforts to race out an 8 point lead just 5 minutes into the second half. Then it became the Kimmani Barrett show. The 6”6 junior guard/forward has really improved his outside shooting and used those improved skills to drill two straight three pointers in a 10 consecutive point barrage that cut the Hartford defense to shreds and helped further push the La Salle lead.

As the game started to prepare for the finale another Explorer came up big to help ensure victory. This time it was Rodney Green’s turn. The 6”5 junior would get a key 3 point play on a driving lay-up and subsequent free throw and also hit a couple of critical three throws late to help seal the win for La Salle. The Explorers held leading Hawk scorer Joe Zeglinski to just 12 points on just for 4 for 12 shooting.

Three Stars of the Game :

Third Star: Rodney Green
Second Star: Vernon Goodridge
First Star: Kimmani Barrett

ExplorerHoopReport Most Valuable Player Award Standings for the Season

Kimmani Barrett – 12 points
Rodney Green – 8 points
Vernon Goodridge – 7 points
Yves Mekongo Mbala – 7 points
Jerrell Williams – 5 points
Ruben Guillandeaux – 2 points
Paul Johnson – 1 point