PHILADELPHIA, PA - The La Salle University Women's Basketball team defeated Coppin State, 71-57, in the first game of the La Salle Invitational, Monday night at Tom Gola Arena. They will face Bucknell, a 79-66 winner over Providence in the second game, in the Championship Game Tuesday night at 7 PM.

La Salle (6-3) was led by sophomore Davineia Payne (Bear, DE/Caravel Academy), who scored 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting and also grabbed six rebounds, had four steals, and two assists.

Junior Monica Garrido Sanz (Madrid, Spain/Majadahonda) helped La Salle to a 30-24 halftime lead, scoring 13 of her 16 points in the first half and she pulled down six offensive rebounds in the first, as well. She ended the game with nine boards and added three assists.

Freshman Crista Ricketts (Douglasville, PA/Daniel Boone), who has three double-doubles on the season, scored nine points and pulled down eight rebounds. The Explorers held a 40-25 advantage on the boards including 16 offensive rebounds that led to 19 second-chance points.

Coppin State (5-4) held its only lead of the game at the 17:15 mark of the first half at 6-4, scoring three straight times after La Salle turnovers. However, the Explorers went on a 10-0 run over the next four minutes and never trailed again.

The Eagles would cut the deficit to three just after the half on a Antoinette Reese jumper at the 18:34 mark, but again La Salle made a run, this time 22 straight points over seven minutes which put the game away.

Reese scored 11 points and had nine steals in the game, but Courtni Strickland led the Eagles with 12 points off the bench. Coppin State will face Providence Tuesday at 5 pm in the consolation game.

Junior Meghan Wilkinson (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown) was the only other player in double figures for either team, adding 12 points, four rebounds, and four assists for the victors.