La Salle opens with a win

The sense of anticipation among long-suffering Explorers basketball followers began the day the 6-foot-10 freshman committed to La Salle. Rivals.com had ranked him as the No. 5 high school prospect at center.

"Everybody was saying how good I was going to do when I got here," Murray said yesterday after La Salle opened the season with an 83-80 win over Hampton at Tom Gola Arena. "So there were expectations, and that just built on my nerves, too. I was thinking about not messing up and giving the fans what they want, and helping the team win. I just wanted to get the nerves out of my gut."

How do 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 turnover sound for a college debut? Murray is the first La Salle freshman to record a double-double in his debut since Michael Brooks did so Nov. 29, 1976, against Widener.

"Eleven rebounds in his first college game and only one turnover - I'll take that every day of the week," Explorers coach John Giannini said.

Murray proved he fits nicely with a veteran group that has the size, experience, and scoring balance to challenge for Atlantic Ten supremacy. The Glen Mills product is athletic and earnest, and displays a soft touch on the perimeter.

Murray had a couple of highlight moments after Hampton took a 43-42 lead early in the second half. He regained the lead for La Salle by dunking a putback, then drained a three-pointer. The Explorers never again trailed.

Shortly afterward, senior guard Rodney Green, who will draw consideration for conference player-of-the-year honors, hit back-to-back threes. Green finished with 23 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Yves Mekongo had 16 points.

Despite some impressive individual efforts, La Salle left Giannini with concerns. The Explorers committed 19 turnovers - Hampton had 13 steals - and showed little regard for playing defense. The Pirates, who got 18 points from Cardinal Dougherty product Vincent Simpson, shot 54.3 percent in the second half. Their guards beat the Explorers off the dribble, forcing Giannini to play more zone than he cares to.

"Anyone who's got some quickness can get to the basket against us," Giannini said. "Thank God we played zone, and even with that we get driven on a lot."

Before the game, Giannini said that guard Tyreek Duren from Neumann-Gorretti and center Matt Lopez from Washington Township had signed binding letters of intent with La Salle. The 6-0 Duren, a resident of Yeadon, is ranked No. 25 among the nation's point guards by ESPNU. The 6-10 Lopez helped lead Washington Township to the South Jersey Group 4 title game last season.