March 11, 2009

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ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Rodney Green scored a game-high 24 points and the eighth-seeded Explorers forced overtime after being down seven, but a layup at the buzzer in OT by No. 9 Saint Louis' Kwamain Mitchell ended La Salle's chances at the Atlantic 10 Championship in Atlantic City, N.J.

Kimmani Barrett was the only other Explorer in double figures with 10 points.

Mitchell led the Billikens with 18 points and Kevin Lisch chipped in 11.

The two teams, playing for the second time in four days, were knotted at 52 apiece to end regulation. The Explorers were down seven points at 48-41 with 5:43 remaining, but Barrett netted seven of his 10 points in an 11-4 spurt to pull the Explorers within two. Green hit the tying layup with 1:47 left and neither team managed another score.

The overtime period played out like the rest of the game - back and forth, with neither team able to pull away. Paul Johnson opened the scoring in the extra period on a free throw after being fouled by the Billikens' Willie Reed. Brian Conklin answered with two freebies to put the Bills up 54-53 before a Barrett trey sent the Explorers back on top at 56-54.

The lead swung twice more before a 60-all knot with 43 seconds remaining. The Explorers grabbed a team rebound of Darryl Partin's missed jumper with nine ticks left, but a turnover two seconds later translated into the Mitchell layup at the buzzer.

The Explorers jumped out to a 12-4 lead to open the game and appear on the way to an easy victory. Steve Weingarten, who got the start today, hit a trey 47 seconds into play and Green converted a dunk just 19 seconds later for a 5-0 score. The Billikens did not get on the scoreboard until Kevin Liddell nailed a jumper at the 17:44 mark to make it 6-2.

The score went to 14-6 before the Bills started to chip away at the lead. They took their first lead of the game at 19-18 at the 12:22 mark on a 13-4 run.

Yves Mekongo Mbala scored his first points since returning to the lineup at the 1:28 mark of the first half to put the Explorers back on top 24-23 but Lisch hit a trey for the 26-23 halftime score.

Although the Explorers trailed the entire second half, they did not allow the Billikens to pull away en route to forcing overtime.

Vernon Goodridge led the Explorers with seven boards and Paul Johnson added three blocks. The Billikens held a slim 43-42 advantage on the glass.

Saint Louis now faces Xavier in Thursday's noon game, while La Salle awaits its postseason tournament fate.