Dec. 4, 2009
La Salle Explorers @ Drexel Dragons
Date: Saturday, December 5
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: John A. Daskalakis Athletic Center
Game: Non-Conference
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La Salle Explorers (1-6, 0-0 A-10)
Conference: Atlantic 10
The La Salle Explorers, who played four of their last six games away from Tom Gola Arena, will venture back on the road for the next three games. Saturday’s matchup with the Drexel Dragons will kick off a three-game road trip, a game that the Explorers hope can snap a five-game losing skid.
In Tuesday’s 71-40 home loss to the Georgetown Hoyas, senior Antonia Gale scored a game and career-high 18 points while adding eight rebounds and two steals. Morgan Robertson chipped in with seven points and eight boards and Jamie Walsh also added seven points on 3-of-8 shooting.
Despite having the rebounding advantage over the Hoyas at halftime, 17-7, the Explorers were outrebounded in the second half, 25-14, and on the evening, 32-31. They shot well from the free throw line, finishing the game at 84 percent, but Georgetown forced 36 La Salle turnovers which was the difference in the game.
Drexel, a 2008-09 NCAA Tournament team, was defeated by the Explorers at Tom Gola Arena last season, 48-46, led by Morgan Robertson’s 13 points and five rebounds. The Explorers lead the all-time series over the Dragons, 18-5.
Drexel Dragons (3-2, 0-0 CAA)
Conference: Colonial Athletic Association
After dropping the first game of the season to Penn State, 71-61, the Drexel Dragons have won three of their last four games heading into Saturday’s meeting with the Explorers.
Senior Gabriela Marginean scored a game-high 26 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field and 11-of-12 shooting from the free throw line to lead the Dragons to a 50-40 home win over American on Wednesday. Tyler Hale was the only other Dragon to finish in double figures, adding a career-high 10 points, five rebounds, three assists, two steals and one block.
The Dragons only allowed American to shoot 28.8 percent from the floor and 16.7 percent from beyond the arc. Drexel shot 94.4 percent from the charity stripe, going 17-for-18 from the line, while outscoring American on second chance opportunities, 10-6.
Eye on an Explorer: Nadia Duncan
After contributing career-highs with 20 points and eight rebounds off the bench on Sunday against Lehigh, sophomore Nadia Duncan was moved into the starting lineup on Tuesday. Duncan scored four of La Salle’s first five points of the game, while grabbing two boards on the evening. She is second on the team in field goal percentage (.486) and fourth in scoring (6.9 ppg).
Key Matchup: Morgan Robertson vs. Gabriela Marginean
The top two scorers from last year’s matchup will meet up again in the frontcourt on Saturday. La Salle senior forward Morgan Robertson will be looked upon to score and rebound inside the paint. She is first on the team in scoring (11.7 ppg), first in rebounding (7.3 rpg) and fourth in field goal percentage (.397).
Drexel senior forward Gabriela Marginean recorded game-highs of 19 points and 11 rebounds in last year’s loss to the Explorers. This season, she is averaging 21.8 points per game (1st on team, 2nd in CAA) and 9.0 rebounds per game (1st on team, 2nd in CAA) while shooting 49.4 percent from the field (1st on team, 8th in CAA).
