March 4, 2009

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-from AP reports and La Salle Athletic Communications

PHILADELPHIA (AP) -Kimmani Barrett (Paterson, NJ/Paterson Catholic) scored 19 points and Rodney Green (Philadelphia, PA/Prep Charter) had 16 as La Salle pulled away in the last 10 minutes and defeated Fordham 79-59 on Senior Night at Tom Gola Arena.

Ruben Guillandeaux (Brooklyn, NY/St. Patrick's) added 13 points for the Explorers (17-12, 8-7 Atlantic 10), who hit on 31 of 62 shots in Wednesday's game.

Jio Fontan had 23 points and Alberto Estwick 15 for the Rams (3-24, 1-14), who lost their ninth in a row.

The Explorers led by 12 points twice in the second half before Fordham rallied to within 56-52 with 9:11 left in the game.

Barrett then scored 11 points during a 16-2 run, and La Salle built a 72-54 advantage with 3:46 to go.

The Rams kept close in the first half, but La Salle, who hit on 11 of 30 3-point shots in the game, led 37-30 at halftime.

Senior Brad Cohen (Voorhees, NJ/Eastern Regional) made his first career start and scored five of La Salle's first nine points of the game. He then added a trey with 2:11 remaining in the game to account for his career-high eight.

Paul Johnson (Washington, DC/Gonzaga) also set a new career high in assists as he dished out seven helpers. Vernon Goodridge tied his career high with three blocks.

The Explorers finish up the regular season on Saturday when they head to Saint Louis for an 8:00 PM EST tilt at Chaifetz Arena.