La Salle falls in 1st round
La Salle falls in 1st round
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Dominique Archie collected 17 points and seven rebounds last night to lead South Carolina to a 78-68 victory over La Salle in the first round of the Charleston Classic at Carolina First Arena.
Guard Rodney Green led all scorers with 23 points on 8-for-13 shooting for La Salle (1-1). Forward Jerrell Williams was the only other Explorer in double figures with 11 points.
La Salle built a 34-27 lead on two free throws by Green with 3 minutes, 45 seconds left in the first half, but the Gamecocks closed the half with a flourish.
South Carolina went on an 11-2 run, capped by Brandis Raley-Ross' three-pointer, to take a 38-36 lead at the break.
La Salle never regained the lead after that.
Freshman center Aaric Murray led the Explorers with seven rebounds and five blocked shots.
Raley-Ross scored 16 points and Mike Holmes 15 for the Gamecocks, who won their third straight game to begin the season.
La Salle held South Carolina guard Devan Downey to 10 points. He averaged 19.8 points per game last season.
South Carolina will play the University of San Francisco in a second-round game tonight at 9:30. La Salle will face Davidson tonight at 7.
