Philadelphia, PA - Head Coach John Miller's La Salle University Women's Basketball team has advanced to the second round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament after defeating the St. Bonaventure Bonnies 50-45 today, Friday, March 5, 2004 in the Fieldhouse at Saint Joseph's University.
Explorer freshman Crista Ricketts (Douglasville, PA/Daniel Boone), who was named the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year last evening at a pre-tournament banquet, tallied her fifth double double of the season. She led La Salle in both points with 17 and rebounds with 14. She pulled down two huge offensive boards in the last couple of possessions for the Explorers. "Ricketts sealed this victory for us, when she came up with those two offensive rebounds at the end of the game," expressed Miller on his rookie.
The Bonnies played a triangle and two on the Explorers, closely guarding La Salle three point threat junior Meghan Wilkinson (Downingtown, PA/Downingtown) and the Explorer's second leading scorer junior Jill Marano (Crofton, MD/Arundel).
La Salle struggled offensively and had to look to sophomore Davineia Payne (Bear, DE/Caravel Academy) to come up big. Payne, known for her defensive skills, did just that as she chipped in 13 points and pulled down nine rebounds. She also led the team in assists with three.
"We didn't get the looks and the shots we normally get, but our girls really kept their composure and played tremendous defense," said Miller
This is the second victory over St. Bonaventure for La Salle. The Explorers defeated the Bonnies earlier this season 76-65, but the Bonnies were without Stefanie Collins in the first meeting. She did however play tonight, and led all scorers with 21 points, 16 of which came in the first half.
Marano finished the game with six points as did senior Kat Foley (Troy, NY/Averill Park). Senior Ekaterina Markova (Sophia, Bulgaria/Vassil Levski) and Wilkinson both added four points in the victory.
The Explorers will play George Washington University tomorrow, Saturday, March 5, 2004 at 12 p.m. "We have been in the League nine years, and GW has always been the most talented team, and they are again this year," expressed Miller "They have a Player of the Year, the Defensive Player of the Year, the Sixth Man of the Year and two first team all conference selections."
George Washington got the bye in the first round today, and will play in its first game of the tournament against La Salle, after clenching the Atlantic 10 West regular season title. "We are going to have to get back on defense and really try to keep the score down," said Miller on his strategy for tomorrow's match-up.
