Dec. 14, 2008
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--from AP reports and La Salle Athletic Communications
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Kimmani Barrett (Paterson, N.J./Paterson Catholic) and Rodney Green (Philadelphia, Pa./Prep Charter) each scored 16 points, but the Explorers could not overcome Villanova's hot three-point shooting in a 70-59 loss on Sunday night at Tom Gola Arena.
The Wildcats (10-1) won their second straight game against a Philadelphia city school and seem to have another local Big 5 championship wrapped up. Corey Stokes and Scottie Reynolds went a combined 7-for-12 from 3-point range. Stokes finished with a game-high 18 points, while Reynolds chipped in 13. The 'Cats went 8-for-16 overall from beyond the arc, while the Explorers hit only four of 14.
The Wildcats led by 10 points at halftime without much production from leading scorer Dante Cunningham. Cunningham averages 17.5 points and 8.0 rebounds, but was held scoreless in the first half and grabbed only one rebound in 7 minutes. He scored nine points in the second half to help Villanova win for the 17th time in its last 18 city series games.
The contest opened fairly evenly, with the teams tied at 18 apiece with 9:02 left in the first half, but the Wildcats opened up a 17-1 run to effectively put the game out of reach. Other than a nine-point difference with 22 seconds remaining in the game, the Wildcats held a double-digit advantage throughout the entire second half.
Vernon Goodridge (Brooklyn, N.Y./Mississippi State) and Jerrell Williams (Paterson, N.J./Northfield Mount Hermon) were strong on the boards as they each pulled down a game-leading eight rebounds. Goodridge added two blocks, including a crowd-pleasing spike of a Reynolds jumper.
The Explorers return home on Wednesday, Dec. 17th, for a 7:00 PM contest with Rider.