Philadelphia, PA - La Salle University junior co-captain Jill Marano (Crofton, MD/Arundel) tallied 24 points as the Explorers defeated cross town rival Drexel University 70-69 in women's basketball today, Sunday, November 30, 2003 at Drexel.

The Explorers led for the majority of the first half, with the Dragons close behind, who took the lead at the 4:18 mark when Drexel's Ola Snystina drained a three pointer to put the Dragons up 30-28. After back to back free throws from Katerina Martin and a jumper, the Dragons went up 34-28. Martin recorded 18 first half points and finished the game with 20.

La Salle sophomore Shaune McLaughlin (Linwood, NJ/Mainland Regional) answered back with a three pointer followed by two free throws and a jumper by fellow sophomore Davineia Payne (Bear, DE/Caravel Academy). The sophomore duo sent the Explorers into the locker room up one at the half, 35-34.

Both teams came out strong in the second half, battling back and forth as the game stayed within a basket throughout most of the period. La Salle took a six point lead at the 18:27 mark, but the Dragons got right back into the game.

Drexel took a three point lead with just over 13 minutes to play, but La Salle freshman stand out Crista Ricketts (Douglasville, PA/Daniel Boone) rallied the Explorers back with a lay-up and a free throw.

The game continued to go back and forth up until the final seconds when Marano drove to the basket with her team down one, 69-68. Marano, who leads the Nation in free throw percentage, drew a foul sending her to the line with two seconds left on the clock. She nailed both shots, and gave La Salle the one point lead and the 70-69 victory.

Ricketts finished the game with 12 points and 11 rebounds, her second double double of the year and of her career. Payne accumulated 11 points and led the team in assists with six, committing no turnovers. McLaughlin was a perfect 2-2 from the field, adding six points, also scoring six was senior Kat Foley (Troy, NY/Averill Park).

Junior Meghan Wilkinson (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown) and senior co-captain Ekaterina Markova (Sophia, Bulgaria/Vassil Levski) combined for nine points in the game. Wilkinson was second in assists with three, she also pulled down five boards.

The Explorers, now 3-1 overall, will travel to Delaware this Wednesday, December 3rd for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off before returning home to host the Villanova Wildcats Saturday, December 6th at 1:00 p.m.