Dec. 19, 2009
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA - Seniors Kimmani Barrett and Rodney Green scored 23 and 22 points, respectively, as La Salle used a 15-4 run early in the second half to beat Bucknell, 83-70, on a snowy Saturday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena. The Explorers improve to 4-0 at home this season and have now won six straight at the arena dating back to last year.
Barrett, who moved within five points of 1,000, was efficient from the field, shooting 6-for-8 and made 9-for-10 from the charity stripe. His 23 points were just two short of a career high, set earlier this month versus Hartford.
Green scored 15 of his 22 points after the break and reached the 20-point plateau for the A-10 leading fifth time this season. He was 7-for-8 from the line and provided the game's top highlight in the second half when he inbounded the ball off the back of a Bucknell player and threw down a thunderous one-handed jam.
"We needed to take the game to another level," said Green, who finished with 22 points. "Coach always tells me to be aggressive and that's what I did."
Despite shooting 60% from the field in the first half, LU was out-rebounded by one and faced a two-point disadvantage after allowing the Bison to shoot 57%. The visitors led by as many as seven points in the first half.
The Explorers (7-3) got things going after Green's dunk at the 16:53 mark. The play sparked a 15-4 run to give the hosts some breathing room. Bucknell (4-7) cut the lead to single digits a handful of times but would get no closer.
Green moved within one assist of joining Lionel Simmons in La Salle's 1500-point, 500-rebound and 300-assist club. La Salle, who is 12th nationally in three-point percentage, connected on 6-for-13 from behind the arc, including three from freshman center Aaric Murray (12 points, career-best five assists).
Junior Jerrell Williams filled up the box score with 14 points, seven rebounds and a career-high six assists.
Bucknell was led by Mike Muscala, who scored 15 points off the bench. Bryson Johnson and Colin Klebon added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The Explorers will have a quick turnaround and visit Oklahoma City for a match-up with Oklahoma State (9-1) on Monday night (ESPN2).
