Kingston, RI - The La Salle University Explorers (6-7,0-1) were unable to rebound from another huge first-half deficit as freshman Rodney Green (Philadelphia, PA/Prep Charter) had a three-pointer go in and fall out at the buzzer to give Rhode Island (8-7, 0-1) a 69-66 win in the Atlantic 10 opener for both teams on Wednesday night at the Ryan Center.

For the second game, the Explorers led for just seconds when they opened with a lay-up by Green, but Rhode Island scored the next seven points and built a 22-point first-half lead fueled largely by Jimmy Baron's 12 points in the first six and a half minutes.

 

The Explorers were able to cut the lead to 18 at the break when freshman Kimmani Barrett (Paterson, NJ/Paterson Catholic) hit a three-pointer at the buzzer but were hounded all night by missed free throws, lay-ups and Ram rebounds off of their own missed free throws.   

 

After shooting just 27.6% in the first half the Explorers connected on 17 of 30 second half shots to finish at 42.4% while also holding Baron scoreless after his torrid start.

 

Will Daniels scored 10 of the Rams' final 11 points to keep the Rams in front.

 

The Explorers tied the game at 66-66 when Darnell Harris (Baltimore, MD/St. Frances) hit a three-pointer with 1:55 to play.  They followed the score with a defensive stop but then turned the ball over and allowed Daniels to reclaim the lead with 28 seconds left.

 

The most critical missed lay-up of the night came with three seconds remaining after Ruben Guillandeaux (Brooklyn, NY/St. Patrick's) rebounded his own miss but could not covert the follow-up.  Green got the ensuing rebound but could not hold the possession. Yves Mekongo Mbala (Elizabeth, NJ/St. Patrick's) fouled Kahiem Seawright who made the second of two free throws to build a 69-66 lead and set up the final play in which Green took a full-court pass from Mike St. John (Northboro,MA/River School) dribbled once and launched the potential equalizer which looked like it would fall but rattled out.

 

The Explorers continue Atlantic 10 play on Saturday when they host Massachusetts at 4:00 PM.  The game will be televised - check local listings for the carrying sports network.