Nov. 21, 2009
Box Score
TULSA, OK – La Salle Women’s Basketball continued its struggles from the floor, shooting just 21.7% from the field for the game, as the Explorers dropped a 62-39 decision to the host Tulsa Golden Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon at the Reynolds Center.
Despite their opponents hitting 15-of-28 shots (53.6%) in the first half, La Salle was only down 13 at the break (34-21). Tulsa took advantage of turnovers, a 14-6 edge, and its speed, 10 fast-break points, to jump out to its lead.
The Golden Hurricanes scored the game’s first six points and were up 11 (15-4) six minutes into the contest as Larrissa Williams scored eight of her game-high 20 in the spurt.
La Salle’s Tara Lapetina hit a three – the Explorers only make on the day, 1-for-10 from behind the arc – and Nadia Duncan made a free throw to cut the deficit to seven with 12:44 left before intermission, but that would be the closest La Salle would get the rest of the way.
The Explorers almost eliminated the Golden Hurricane’s points off turnovers (four) and fast break points (two) in the second half, but shot just 15.8% (3-of-19) after halftime.
Morgan Robertson, who led La Salle with 12 points, scored the first points after the break to cut the Tulsa lead to 11 (34-23). When she hit her next bucket, seven minutes later, the Golden Hurricanes had built their lead to 22. The Explorers came up empty on 10 straight possessions – seven missed baskets and three turnovers.
Antonia Gale would score 10 of La Salle’s last 14 points in the contest from the foul line. She ended the game 10-of-14 from the stripe – a career-high in both categories and added a career-high tying four steals to her totals.
Tulsa (2-0) almost shot better from the floor (47.1%) than from the foul line (47.6%) in the win. Taleya Mayberry was the only other Golden Hurricane in double figures with 13, while Jermaine Kermis pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds to go with nine points.
Robertson and Duncan each grabbed five rebounds, for Duncan it matched her career-high, while she also added five points.
La Salle (1-3) will now travel north to Kansas and take a day off before returning to action on Monday, taking on the Wichita State Shockers at 8 PM EST.
