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Green Reaches 1,000 Point Total in Victory Over Howard
January 3, 2009
by Jack


LaSalle Learning to Win Big at Gola Arena in 81-66 Win.

Rodney Green prepares to convert his 1,000th career point.

The Explorers (8-5) had to show some fight and it took a little convincing from their coach to provide it. Rodney Green (7 points and 5 rebounds in the first half) hit a trey to give LaSalle a commanding 34-18 lead with 4:15 remaining in the half. Howard Bison (1-12) closed the half on a 4-0 run for a 34-22 Explorer halftime lead.

The second half opened with Howard converting 2 free throws and then a couple of no-calls against Ruben Guillandeaux (12 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists, zero turnovers and 2 steals in 26 minutes) as he was hacked twice and ref Paul Faia (one of the worst officials) looked on. Coach John Giannini finally exploded against Faia and picked up a technical. Howard converted both free throws for a 34-26 LaSalle lead. Yves Mbala (9 points, 2 boards) finally ended the near 6 minute scoring drought with slam dunk and the Explorers never looked back. The officials made a couple more calls in Howard's favor to try to keep them close but the Blue and Gold played solid defense the rest of the game. Rodney (21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 steals for the game) scored his 1,000th career point on a free throw with 9:10 remaining to extend the lead to 53-41. He is the 46th Explorer to reach that mark. Terrell Williams (8 points) and Kimmani Barrett (16 points, 4 boards) also had major contributions. Jerrell Williams (back strain) remained on the bench and is scheduled to resume practice on Monday. Paul Johnson returned to the lineup and contributed 4 points and 3 rebounds in 22 minutes. LaSalle 81, Howard 66 FINAL. Explorer Top Performer of the Game: Rodney Green.

LaSalle shot 62% from the field on 33 for 53 (and 36% from beyond the arc on 4 for 11) and 55% from the foul line (11 for 20). The Explorers will need to come out aggressive against Temple (currently 5-6 but plays 2 more out of conference games this coming week) next Sunday. Coach Giannini has to keep the players focused and ready to play a full 40 minutes. This a game the Explorers need to win to give them confidence in the tough early part of their A10 schedule. LaSalle plays Temple (not a City Series game) on Sunday 1/11 at Gola Arena with a 2pm tip (televised on CBS College, regional).
    
Officials: Paul Faia, John LaRocca and Donnie Eppley.

Grade for Officials: D (Below Average)
Paul Faia (earns a "F") must have been shocked to see Coach Giannini screaming at him. Faia and the handful of other pathetic officials had better get used to it. The LaSalle coach made a loud statement the he will not tolerate incompetent officiating any longer. Faia somehow got promoted to head official - he never views the other two officials as team members; in fact there were a few times in this game he needed help on calls but never bothered asking either of the other two officials who had better views. Donnie Eppley earned a "D" as he missed obvious calls right in front of him including a goal-tend that Barrett should have been given credited 2 points for. John LaRocca earns a "C" as he did not make any bizarre calls.

Box Score