City of Basketball Love

Will Slover (@WillSlover31)
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In a rematch of a game that saw Rhode Island defeat La Salle by 11 on January 16, more of the same happened on Saturday night in Philadelphia as the Rams topped the Explorers 79-62 at Tom Gola Arena.

After the game was sent into half deadlocked at 29 following a first half that featured 10 lead changes and five ties, Rhode Island (13-10, 5-5 Atlantic 10) came out of the break hot, going on a 15-2 run that put them up comfortably and for good as the Rams never saw their lead go below 10 for the final 16:31 of the game.

Rhode Island’s 79-point effort came on the backs of their starters, who were the only five players from URI to find the bottom of the basket. Guard Four McGlynn had two, forwards Nicola Akele and Hassan Martin chipped in with 15 and points, respectively, while guard Jared Terrell added 22 of his own. While all of these performances were great, it was Jarvis Garrett who stole the show.

“For Garrett to play the way he did with that mask on and limited practice is astounding to me,” said La Salle coach John Giannini.  “Just astounding to me.”

Garrett, who missed Rhode Island’s last game against UMass due to a collision that occurred with St. Joseph’s guard Shavar Newkirk on January 30th, had to wear a protective mask on his face due to the lingering effects of the collision. He didn’t let the mask affect him, as he poured in 28 points, which is a new career high, surpassing his previous high of 19 which was also scored against La Salle.

Although La Salle (5-16, 1-9 Atlantic 10) couldn’t find their way into the win column against the Rams, there are still some positives to take away for the Explorers.

“I do think we’ll be a much better team next year,” said Giannini. “Because they will have help and we won’t be half a team and we won’t be inexperienced and we won’t be as small and we’ll have more guys in the right roles.”

Johnnie Shuler (15), Cleon Roberts (15), Jordan Price (14), and Amar Stukes (12) combined for 56 of La Salle’s 62 points.

With all four of those guys returning next year with another year of experience under their belt, the Explorers are looking at this season as a learning experience.

In a season where three high-major transfers have had to sit out, the injury bug has also not been kind to LaSalle, with Tony Washington, Rohan Brown, and Yevgen Sakhinuk all missing significant time due to injury.

Brown, who recently had surgery on his meniscus, has helped the Explorers in a huge way by providing more depth underneath, since coming back from injury on January 24th. While averaging 5.3 ppg and 3.8 rpg in just 13 games this season, the veteran Brown provides more than just what he gives on the court.

“The thing about Rohan is he’s tough, and he leads, and he gives effort.” said Giannini. ““He just encourages them and he says the right things to them so he absolutely helps his teammates.”

Brown’s guidance, along with that of fellow senior O.J Lewis, will help the returning Explorers get over this hump and back to competing next year.

“I thought Johnnie really kept battling,” said Giannini. “Amar’s getting more confident offensively, Cleon’s playing harder all the time.”

With those three players, along with second-leading scoring in the Atlantic 10, Jordan Price, and the rest of the Explorers’ roster besides Brown and Lewis returning with another year of experience under their belt, the Explorers will look to take this one-year hiccup and regain their role as one of the best teams in the Atlantic 10.