[SIZE="5"][color="Navy"]2024 NCAA Tournament
Final Four
National Title Game
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[font="Comic Sans MS"] (2) La Salle Explorers vs. (1) Oregon Ducks
Without Fred Black we went 16-1 but there is no mistaking that Fred is our best player, when the doctors gave him full clearance to play it was a no brainer that we would get as much out of him as possible. Oregon game into the game led by two freshmen, Power Forward Quadree Henry was the number 1 rated player coming out of high school, averaging 17 points per game he has lived up to the hype. Jeff Jennings was the 25th ranked player who was second in scoring for Oregon at 14.2 per game. Oregon starts 3 seniors and the 2 freshmen. We counter with 2 seniors, 2 juniors, and a sophomore in Grant Petion. Defensively we are one of the best teams in the country, but Oregon is the best allowing 51.7 points per game. On our first four offensive possessions Fred clearly showed his rust turning the ball over twice and being very short on both of his jump shots. After that the Oregon defense took over, they were as good as advertised. Late in the half we trailed 43-19 and it seemed that Oregon was going to put the final nail in the coffin, we trailed 27-47 at the half and seemed to have little chance of coming back, Roderick Andrews was in foul trouble and struggled with Quadree Henry who scored 14 first half points. After Roderick picked up his 4th foul early in the second half it was time to go for broke, Donnell Smith would come in which meant Grant would shift to the power forward position. Giving up 3 inches and 40 points to Henry, we knew it would be a difficult matchup for Grant. We also knew pound for pound Grant was the toughest guy on our team and would respond to the challenge. The first time down the court Grant drew a charge, the second time down Grant stole the ball from Henry which led to a Fred Black 3 which was his first basket of the game. Grant’s block of Henry led to a fast break, Traves found Donnell in the corner and his 3 cut the deficit to 14 points with 14 minutes remaining. A 3 point play by McCullam cut Oregon’s lead to 8 with 6 minutes remaining. After both teams went cold for a four minute stretch Donnell’s layup made the score 53-59 at the 2 minute mark. A Jason Crawford steal led to Traves pushing the ball up the court, his pass found Grant who was fouled as he made a 3. His four point play made the score 57-59 with 1:16 left. Grant blocked Henry’s shot but the ball fell to Oregon’s Myron Young, he kicked the ball out to Jennings whose 3 with 42 seconds left in the game put Oregon up 62-57. Fred’s following three missed and Oregon got the rebound. Our comeback came up short as Oregon had their one shining moment with a 68-60 win. Donnell Smith was our leading scorer with 15 points, Grant Petion inspired the comeback with 14 points, 11 rebounds and 4 blocks. Fred scored 12 and shot 4-15 in his first game back.
La Salle Player of The Game: Grant Petion 14 points 11 rebounds 4 blocks
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