Explorers let another one slip away

By Mike McDonald
Collegian Editor
December 5, 2007

The Explorers fell in frustrating fashion Monday night at Bucknell to drop back to the .500 mark at 3-3.

La Salle led by as much as 16, including a 12-point halftime lead, but the lead gradually shrunk over the course of the second half. With 16 seconds left to play, the Explorers led by a point, at 66-65. Darnell Harris, who had a game-high 25 points on the night, missed a jump shot, and Bucknell controlled the rebound.

What happened next was something nobody saw coming.

Harris fouled Bison guard John Griffin in the backcourt with 8.6 seconds remaining. Griffin came down and hit both free throws to put the Bison in front.

At the other end, Ruben Guillandeaux attempted a layup that would have been the game-winner, but it didn’t fall, and the game ended. The final score was Bucknell 67, La Salle 66.

“What you saw is my Groundhog Day,” head coach John Giannini told the Philadelphia Daily News.

Unfortunately, this does seem to be quickly becoming a recurring theme. Monday’s game marks the fifth time in only six games in this young season that the Explorers have blown a double-digit lead.

In the first half, La Salle shot a scorching 64.3 percent from three-point range, but the Explorers’ touch cooled off noticeably after the break, as they shot only 28 percent from the floor in the second half. Bucknell, on the other hand, shot 55.2 percent from the field in the second.

Guillandeaux scored 11 points in his first game back from injury, but Rodney Green only scored two points on the night in just 15 minutes. Kyle Griffin continued to see an increase in minutes, as he saw 27 minutes of playing time Monday.

Kimmani Barrett did not suit up for the game, as he was serving a one-game suspension for missing a team practice.

Bucknell had three players score at least 18 points on the night, with John Griffin leading the way with 21.

In the Explorers’ previous game, they picked up a win at home against Central Connecticut State. In that game, La Salle jumped out to an early lead, but they were unable to sustain the momentum.

Up 17-7, Giannini pulled all five starters out of the game. According to Giannini, this move was made because of something the team had worked on in practice.

Throughout the second half, the teams battled back and forth, but the Explorers were able to hold off the Blue Devils, and they secured the 59-55 win.

Monday’s game at Bucknell was the first of what will be a very long road swing for the Explorers. They will not return for a home game at the Tom Gola Arena until Jan. 9, when they will host Richmond.

The highlights of this road trip include three big games in Puerto Rico, a date with Villanova at the Pavilion and a trip to Tallahassee, Fla. to play Florida State.

mcdonaldm2@lasalle.edu