Jan. 26, 2008
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle University Women's Basketball team placed a trio of scorers in double-figures, but a late rally fell short as the Explorers were downed by St. Bonaventure, 60-54, Saturday evening at Tom Gola Arena. Margaret Elderton led the charge for the Blue and Gold, dropping 14 points on 6-8 shooting. Carlene Hightower and Jamie Walsh each chipped in with 11 points apiece for La Salle (9-11, 1-4 A-10).
The Bonnies led for the majority of the first half, but back-to-back threes from Ashley Gale and Walsh put the Explorers up 19-17 with just over seven minutes to play. However, St. Bonaventure then reeled off nine-straight and closed the half on a 12-3 run, going into the locker room with a 29-22 lead.
Hightower led the Explorers with nine points in the first half.
St. Bonaventure padded its lead early in the second stanza, going ahead by double-digits in the opening minutes. Tiara Johnson's jumper at the 15:50 mark made the score 36-26 in favor of the Bonnies.
That lead quickly evaporated, as jumpers from Gale and Melanie Gibbons brough the Blue and Gold to within six. Consecutive three-balls from Alyse Hoover and Elderton tied the score at 36 with 11:30 to play, the closest the Explorers had been since 19-19 at the 6:18 mark in the first half.
Unfortunately for La Salle, the momentum quickly shifted back in favor of the Bonnies. Dana Mitchell's second attempt off of a missed three-pointer was good and ignited a 13-0 St. Bonaventure run. Gibbons ended a scoreless drought of over five minutes with a jumper in the lane, bringing the Explorers to within 11 at 51-40.
With time working against them, La Salle frantically tried to claw its way back into the game. Elderton slashed through the lane for two points, cutting the lead to seven with just over two minutes to play, but it was too little too late. St. Bonaventure sank all six of its foul shots down the stretch to ice the win.
For La Salle, Gibbons finished with six points to go along with a team-high six rebounds. Gale added seven points and three boards off the bench.
St. Bonaventure was led by Mitchell's 16 points. Erica Schiefen and Megan Ellis each added nine points for the Bonnies (14-6, 2-3 A-10).
The Explorers look to get back on the winning track this Wednesday night when the take to the road to face off against Charlotte. Game time is at 7:00 PM.
