Emmitsburg, Md. (November 17, 2007)--Chris Vann's
(Woodbridge, Va./Gar-Field) game-tying three-point attempt
at the buzzer was just off the mark allowing La Salle to edge Mount
St. Mary's, 66-63, in non-conference action at Knott Arena on
Saturday night. Vann scored a game-high 21 points to pace the
Mount, which falls to 0-2 on the season.
The Mount trailed 66-61 with eight seconds left after Darnell
Harris hit two free throws for La Salle (1-1). Jeremy
Goode (Charlotte, N.C./Providence Day) raced down court
and scored a lay-up with 1.2 seconds on the clock to cut the
deficit to 66-63. La Salle then turned the ball over on the
inbounds pass, give the Mount a chance to tie. Vann came off a
Sam Atupem (Newport News, Va./Woodside) screen and
was open in the corner for the game-tying shot, but it was off the
mark, giving La Salle the 66-63 win.
The Mount jumped to a 13-6 lead in the opening minutes behind 11
points from Vann. The Explorers, however, fought their way back in
the game, using 9-0 run to take a 29-20 lead with 4:15 left in the
half. La Salle went to the locker room with a 36-28 advantage.
Mount St. Mary's opened the second half with a 12-4 run to even the
score at 40-40 after a Vann traditional three-point play with 17:04
left in the game. La Salle answered, taking a 56-48 advantage with
8:22 left after a Sherman Diaz jumper.
Harris and Yves Mbala Mekongo paced a balanced La Salle attack with
12 points each while Rodney Greene (11) and Jerrell Williams (10)
also scored in double figures. Paul Johnson and Williams each
grabbed a game-high nine rebounds. Vann led the Mount with 21
points while Markus Mitchell (Virginia Beach,
Va./Salem) added 10 points and seven boards. Goode added
six points and a game-high eight assists in the contest.
La Salle shot 42.6 percent from the field in the game and was
16-for-18 (.889) at the foul line. The Mount shot 39.4 percent in
the contest and was 5-for-8 at the charity stripe.
The Mount returns to action on Saturday, November 24, with a 2:00
p.m. game at James Madison.
Game Notes: Vann has scored in double figures in
five of his past six games dating back to last season...The loss
snaps a three-game winning streak in home openers for the
Mount...The Mount is 0-2 for the first time since the 2003-04
season...The Mount forced 22 La Salle turnovers...The Explorers
held an 18-to-8 advantage in second chance points...La
Salle has won six straight against the Mount to take an 11-6 lead
in the all-time series.
