Nov. 11, 2009
La Salle Explorers vs. Loyola (MD) Greyhounds
Date: Friday, November 13
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Gola Arena
Game: Non-Conference
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La Salle Explorers
Conference: Atlantic 10
The La Salle Explorers will commence the 2009-10 season on Friday in non-conference action against Loyola (MD). Prior to the season-opening tip, the Explorers hosted Holy Family last Friday in an exhibition matchup at Tom Gola Arena. Despite trailing by 11 midway through the first half, the Explorers caught up and eventually went ahead by one, 70-69, courtesy of a Jamie Walsh free throw with 1:16 remaining. They kept the lead until Meghan Gibson hit the game-winning shot for Holy Family with four seconds remaining, 73-72.
Three Explorers scored in double figures, led by senior Morgan Robertson’s 14 points. Walsh and Ashley Gale each contributed 11 points while totaling four of the team’s six three-pointers. Antonia Gale went 5-for-6 from the charity stripe, for seven points, and also added four rebounds and three assists.
The Explorers were productive on the offensive end as they finished the game shooting 51 percent from the field and 46.2 percent from beyond the arc.
Following Friday’s home opener, seven of La Salle’s upcoming nine games will be on the road.
Loyola (MD) Greyhounds
Conference: Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC)
The Loyola (MD) Greyhounds will open its 2009-10 season on the road Friday against the Explorers. After winning six of their first eight games last season, the Greyhounds dropped nine consecutive conference games and ended the year at 10-20, 4-14 MAAC.
Friday’s matchup will mark the second time in two years that La Salle and Loyola have met up after the Explorers’ 75-63 road victory over the Greyhounds last season. In the Loyola loss, Kaitlin Grant was one of four Greyhound players to record double figures in scoring, ending with 13 points and a team-best nine rebounds. Candice Walker poured in 12 points, on 5-of-9 shooting, and Meredith Tolley chipped in with four points, four rebounds and three assists.
The Greyhounds, who return three of their top four scorers from last year, lost Siobhan Prior to graduation. Prior led the team in scoring at 12.8 points per game while shooting 32.5 percent from three-point range.
Eye on an Explorer: Ashley Gale
Ashley Gale went 3-for-6 from the field with two three-point baskets for 11 points in Friday’s exhibition game. She was fourth on the team in scoring last season at 9.8 points per game while leading the team in steals (42) and blocks (17). In last season’s win over Loyola, Gale posted 17 points, on 6-of-11 shooting, and five rebounds.
Key Matchup: Morgan Robertson vs. Kaitlin Grant
Morgan Robertson and Kaitlin Grant will once again go head-to-head in the frontcourt for the second straight season. Robertson and Grant, who both stand at 6-foot, led their respective teams in rebounding last year, averaging 8.1 per game. In last season’s matchup, Robertson posted the only double-double in the contest with 19 points and 10 boards and Grant was one rebound shy of recording her own double-double, ending with 13 points and nine rebounds. Last season, Robertson led the Explorers in rebounds 22 times and Grant paced Loyola in boards 21 times.
