Explorers roll in tourney opener

GUAYNABO, Puerto Rico - Eight Explorers scored in double figures yesterday as La Salle opened the San Juan Shootout with a 117-86 rout of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez at Mario Morales Coliseum.

La Salle (4-4) had its highest scoring output since a 120-88 victory over Iona on Jan. 4, 1992.

Freshmen Jerrell Williams (20 points) and Kyle Griffin (16) posted career highs to lead the winners. Griffin hit 5 of 7 shots, including four three-pointers.

Omar Velasquez sank a three-pointer for Mayaguez (1-9) to cut the La Salle lead to 54-50 with 19 minutes, 19 seconds to play, but Rodney Green hit a layup and Darnell Harris added a three-pointer to pad the Explorers' advantage. The hosts did not threaten after that.

"They're not a Division I-caliber team, but they play very competitively in this tournament," La Salle coach John Giannini said. "Clearly, the next games are going to be more competitive. It was clearly a tune-up-type game against a scrappy opponent, and we did what we were supposed to do."

Green finished with 14 points and Harris added 10.

The Explorers will resume play in the tournament tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. against Mississippi (8-0). The Rebels will play DePaul today.