Nov. 14, 2009

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PHILADELPHIA - Senior Rodney Green scored a game-high 23 points while freshman Aaric Murray had 16 points and 11 rebounds in his debut to help La Salle hold off a determined Hampton squad, 83-80, on Saturday before 3,224 on Homecoming. Murray became the first Explorer freshman to record a double-double in his debut since Michael Brooks had 25 points and 18 rebounds on Nov. 29, 1976.

The hosts led 77-67 with 34 seconds to play but the visiting Pirates (0-1) hit three three-pointers, all from way behind the arc, in the final 22 seconds to produce the final score. Green's two free throws with five seconds left, which at the time seemed inconsequential, proved to provide an extra cushion when Philadelphia product Vincent Simpson hit his fifth three of the contest at the buzzer.

Green and Murray received help from senior Yves Mekongo, who chipped in with 16 points on 5-for-10 shooting. He nearly brought the house down with his alley-oop off a pass from classmate Ruben Guillandeaux with six minutes to play.

But the senior point guard and the freshman center each shined. Green shot 8-for-16 and had five assists, while Murray was 7-for-14 in recording his first career double-double.

"Eleven rebounds in his first college game and only one turnover? I'll take that every day of the week," Giannini said.

Murray, who admittedly was nervous to make his debut, had a dunk and three-pointer early in the second half after Hampton took its last lead at 44-43. Five minutes later, Green banked in a three then pulled up from behind the arc off the dribble to extend La Salle's lead to the largest of the game at 60-48.

He moved into 22nd place on the all-time scoring list with 1,383 points, passing Larry Koretz (1983-87) and Paul Burke (1991-95). Next up is Frank Corace (1961-64) with 1,411 points.

Guillandeaux added 10 points while junior Steve Weingarten played a hard 16 minutes and scored seven points.

The Explorers are now 8-3 in home openers at Tom Gola Arena and improved to 4-2 in home openers under head coach Dr. John Giannini.

Hampton was led by Darrion Pellum's 21 points. Simpson added 18 and Mike Tuitt had 15 points and 10 assists.

The Blue and Gold (1-0) are back in action on Thursday when it opens the Charleston Classic with a match-up with South Carolina. The game will be broadcast on ESPNU and tips at 9:30 PM.

Students and fans alike are invited to the Dan Rodden Theatre in the Student Union for a Watch Party. Doors open at 9:00 PM. Admission is free.