Jan. 30, 2009
La Salle Explorers vs. George Washington Colonials
Time: 1:00 PM
Location: Tom Gola Arena
Game: Conference
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La Salle Explorers (10-11, 1-5)
Conference: Atlantic 10
The La Salle Explorers enter this matchup looking for their second conference win of the season and, at the same time, hope to halt George Washington's five-game winning streak. After picking up a victory at Fordham last Saturday, 42-41, the Explorers returned home to host the Rhode Island Rams on Tuesday, but fell in the contest 54-48. In the loss, sophomore Ashley Gale led all La Salle scorers with 15 points, on 6-of-10 shooting, including three treys. Gale has now led the team in scoring twice this season and her 11.0 points per game ranks her second on the team. Junior Jamie Walsh poured in 10 points against Rhode Island and also contributed three assists and two boards. Prior to Tuesday night's matchup, Walsh led the team in scoring for three consecutive games, which included a 24-point performance in a 77-73 overtime home loss against Saint Louis. In the loss, Walsh connected on a career-high six three-pointers. Junior Morgan Robertson pulled down a team-high nine rebounds against the Rams and senior Margaret Elderton dished out a team-high five assists to go along with five points and two rebounds. Through 21 games, the Explorers are shooting 38.9 percent from the field and 35.3 percent from beyond the arc.
George Washington Colonials (12-8, 4-1)
Conference: Atlantic 10
The George Washington Colonials enter this game riding on a season-best five-game winning streak dating back to their second conference game of the season. With a non-conference schedule that included four rationally-ranked teams in the top 20 (#3/3 Texas A&M, #7/9 Tennessee, #10/10 Auburn, #15/14 Rutgers), the Colonials have prepared themselves mentally and physically for Atlantic 10 action. Despite falling to Richmond in the conference-opener by one point, 66-65, George Washington ran off five straight wins, four of which came in the conference and the other against Villanova. In their latest win, a 64-52 road win over Dayton, freshman Tara Booker paced all Colonial scorers with 15 points, including a career-high five three-pointers, and senior Antelia Parrish trailed her with 14. George Washington connected on a season-high 11 three-pointers and ended the day at 50.0 percent from beyond the arc. Sophomore Ivy Abiona pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds and junior Stefani Munro distributed a team-high five assists. The Colonials, who had the advantage over Dayton under the glass, 45-34, are 10-2 when outrebounding their opponent and 11-0 when leading at halftime.
Eye on an Explorer: Margaret Elderton
Senior Margaret Elderton, who has either led or tied the team-high in points six times this season, has been one of the key offensive leaders for the Explorers this season. On two separate occasions this season, she has scored back-to-back team-highs and is currently ranked second on the team in scoring (10.9). Elderton is the team leader in assists per game (3.5) and is fourth in rebounding average (2.4).
Key Matchup: Morgan Robertson vs. Jessica Adair
Each team's leading scorer and rebounder, La Salle junior Morgan Robertson and George Washington senior Jessica Adair will be looked upon by their team to control the paint both offensively and defensively. In Tuesday's home loss to Rhode Island, Robertson was just shy of attaining her 10th double-double of the season, finishing with seven points and a team-high nine rebounds. Robertson is ranked first on the Explorers in scoring (12.3), rebounds (8.6) and field goal percentage (.439). Adair, who only finished with four points and six rebounds in 24 minutes against Dayton on Wednesday, is first on the Colonials in both points (13.1) and rebounds (6.8) and second in field goal percentage (.555). Against Radford earlier in the season, Robertson contributed team-highs of 18 points and 19 rebounds in a 65-52 victory.
