Dec. 21, 2009
La Salle Explorers vs. Villanova Wildcats
Date: Tuesday, December 22
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Tom Gola Arena
Game: Big 5, Non-Conference
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La Salle Explorers (3-7; 0-0 Big 5)
Conference: Atlantic 10
The La Salle Explorers, who went 2-1 on their most recent three-game road trip, return to Tom Gola Arena to host city and Big 5 rival Villanova on Tuesday.
In Sunday’s 55-54 road win over the Rider Broncs, the Explorers did not have a player reach double figures, but did have three players score nine points to lead the team. Ashley Gale, who was one of the three to score nine points, pulled down a team-high 12 rebounds to go with five assists and four steals. Tara Lapetina and Danielle Mickiewicz were the other two to chip in with nine points.
The Explorers forced 18 Rider turnovers and went on to outscore the Broncs in points off turnovers, 20-7.
Looking towards Tuesday’s Big 5 matchup, the Explorers have the recent advantage over the Wildcats with two wins in the past three contests. La Salle won the season-opening matchup last year when they defeated the Wildcats on the road, 67-62. Jamie Walsh scored a game-high 19 points and dished out a career-high seven assists.
Villanova Wildcats (7-2; 3-0 Big 5)
Conference: BIG EAST
The Villanova Wildcats head into Tom Gola Arena on Tuesday looking to add to their current three-game winning streak. They may also have some extra motivation for a win because a victory would provide the Wildcats with a perfect 4-0 record in Big 5 play this season which ultimately could land them the 2009-10 Big 5 title.
Villanova defeated Penn in the second game of the season, 44-28, and recently downed Saint Joseph’s, 56-42, and Temple, 44-32.
In Villanova’s last game, a road win over Temple, Laura Sweeney led all scorers with 12 points to go with five boards and Maria Getty followed up with 11 points and a game-high four assists.
The Wildcat defense was the key to the game as they allowed Temple to shoot just 19 percent from the floor (11-for-58) and 14.3 percent from beyond the arc (1-for-7). The Owls only managed to score 16 points in each half and totaled just two assists in the game. Villanova, who trailed 16-11 at halftime, outscored Temple 33-16 in the second half and also went on to outscore the Owls in bench points, 22-8.
