Dec. 6, 2008
Box Score
PHILADELPHIA – Junior Morgan Robertson's lay-up with 1:39 to play in regulation cut the Explorers deficit to two, 49-47, but Binghamton sealed its victory over La Salle Women’s Basketball with a basket and two free throws down the stretch giving the Bearcats a 53-47 win Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at Tom Gola Arena.
Robertson, who was ranked 37th in the nation in rebounds per game in the latest NCAA statistics release, tallied game-highs of 12 points and seven rebounds. Her jumper at the 8:04 mark of the first half gave La Salle its largest lead of the game at five, 16-11.
Binghamton (4-4) chipped away at the deficit and used a 10-0 run spanning more than three minutes to take its first lead of the afternoon. Junior Erica Carter ignited the run with a three-pointer at the 7:50 mark and then when freshman Orla O’Reilly connected on a three-pointer of her own, it gave the Bearcats their first lead, 19-16.
Carter tied a team-high with 10 points, on 3-of-6 shooting, and pulled down five boards.
The Explorers managed seven more points before the break, but junior Darryll Peterson’s two converted free throws gave Binghamton a five-point advantage, 28-23, at the half.
At the midway point, sophomore Ashley Gale paced all Explorers with eight points, on 2-of-3 shooting, but that would be her final total as she went scoreless in the second half.
Junior Tara Lapetina hit a shot from beyond the arc with 12:36 remaining in the game to edge La Salle closer, 33-31. A little over four minutes later, senior Margaret Elderton also hit a three, but the Explorers still trailed 37-34.
From there, Binghamton would use an 8-0 run, capped off by two free throws from senior Laura Franceski, to give them a 45-36 lead. Franceski tied Carter for the team-high with 10 points, while also contributing team-highs of six rebounds and three blocks.
Elderton finished with eight points, on 2-of-7 shooting, and Lapetina finished with six points and a team-high four assists. La Salle was outrebounded, 35-26, and was also outscored inside the paint, 26-10.
The Explorers (4-5) have nine days off from action before returning to the hardwood on Tuesday, Dec. 16 when they host the Lafayette Leopards at 7:00 PM.
