Feb. 13, 2009
La Salle Explorers vs Charlotte 49ers
Date: Saturday, February 14
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Tom Gola Arena
Game: Conference
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Saturday’s game between the La Salle Explorers and the Charlotte 49ers will be played in honor of the WBCA Pink Zone Initiative. Fans are encouraged to wear pink in relation to the game’s theme. There will be a two dollar admission charge at the door and all the proceeds will go to Coaches vs. Cancer.
La Salle Explorers (10-14, 1-8)
Conference: Atlantic 10
The La Salle Explorers will look to snap a four-game losing skid on Saturday as they prepare to host the Charlotte 49ers. The Explorers, who have played three of their last four contests at home, are searching for their first home win since defeating Rider back on Sunday, Dec. 21, 63-47. Heading into last Wednesday’s matchup against Saint Joseph’s, the Explorers had the opportunity to win a piece of the Big 5 Title, but the Hawks and their 42.6 percent shooting proved too much as they cruised on to win, 59-42. Junior Jamie Walsh was the only Explorer to reach double figures, ending with 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and a block. Walsh has now led the team in scoring in four of the previous seven games and she ranks second on the team in both three-point percentage (.380) and assists per game (2.4). Four other players each added six points with senior Margaret Elderton and freshman Jenna Gilbert contributing six points, four rebounds and two assists respectively. The Explorers are ranked first in the conference in free throw percentage (.762) and fifth in three-point percentage (.339).
Charlotte 49ers (17-6, 8-1)
Conference: Atlantic 10
The Charlotte 49ers have now compiled eight straight conference wins, dating back to Jan. 14, and are currently in second place in the Atlantic 10 Conference standings. Charlotte’s only A-10 loss this season came in the conference home opener when they fell to the Xavier Musketeers, 67-49. The 49ers have been tested during non-conference play with games against the ACC (NC State, Wake Forest, Clemson), SEC (South Carolina), Big East (Notre Dame), Pac 10 (USC) and the C-USA (UAB). Among those seven non-conference games, the 49ers are 3-4 with wins over USC, UAB and Clemson. In their last game, an 83-78 home win over Duquesne, junior Aysha Jones led all scorers in the contest as she tied her career-high with 28 points, on 10-of-19 shooting, and also added six rebounds and three assists. The A-10 Co-Player of the Week, Jones is first on the team in scoring (13.4 ppg) and second in three-point percentage (.356). Against Duquesne, sophomore Shannon McCallum scored a career-high 23 points, on 10-of-14 shooting, in addition to a game-high four steals, eight rebounds and three assists. Senior Traci Ray went 3-for-5 from beyond the arc for 11 points and senior Danielle Burgin pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds. Charlotte is ranked first in the conference in field goal percentage (.446) and second in scoring offense (68.0).
Eye on an Explorer: Ashley Gale
Sophomore Ashley Gale was one of four Explorers to score six points in Wednesday’s game against Saint Joseph’s. Gale is third on the team in scoring at 10.1 points per game and second in rebounding average at 3.6 boards per game. She is shooting 38.8 percent from the floor and 33.1 percent from beyond the arc. Effective inside and from the perimeter, Gale will be looked upon to hit the midrange jumper on Saturday when she is left uncontested by her defender.
Key Matchup: Morgan Robertson vs Danielle Burgin
Two of the conference’s premiere rebounders, La Salle junior Morgan Robertson and Charlotte senior Danielle Burgin, will finally meet up under the glass on Saturday. Among the conference leaders in rebounding average, Burgin is ranked fourth (9.2) and Robertson is right behind in sixth (8.5). Robertson has led the team in rebounds in five of the last seven games and Burgin’s 11 rebounds on Saturday marked her 12th game this season with double figure boards. In last season’s matchup, Burgin was one of four participants in the game who scored double figures, ending with 10 points and seven rebounds.
