Feb. 17, 2009
La Salle Explorers @ No. 17/16 Xavier Musketeers
Date: Wednesday, February 18
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: Cintas Center
Game: Conference
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La Salle Explorers (10-15, 1-9)
Conference: Atlantic 10
Wednesday’s matchup with the Xavier Musketeers marks the first of two road games in the state of Ohio for the La Salle Explorers. Following Wednesday’s contest, the Explorers will wrap up their two-game road trip at UD Arena on Saturday as they prepare to take on the Dayton Flyers. In last Saturday’s home matchup, the Explorers took second place Charlotte to overtime, however, four straight points from the 49ers closed out the extra session and the game, 67-62. Junior Morgan Robertson, who scored the game-tying layup with six seconds remaining in regulation, poured in a game and career-high 26 points, on 12-of-21 shooting, and also added a team-high nine boards and three assists. Robertson has now led or tied the team-high in scoring 11 times this season and 20 times she has either led or tied the team-high in rebounds. Senior Margaret Elderton was one point shy of reaching double figures, as she ended with nine points, team-highs of five assists and two steals and also four rebounds. Three Explorers added eight points respectively (Juniors Jamie Walsh and Tara Lapetina and sophomore Ashley Gale) while each of those players connected on two three-pointers apiece. Despite the loss, the Explorers dished out more assists than Charlotte, 21-18, and their three-point shooting percentage (.350) nearly doubled the 49ers’ (.188). La Salle, who shot 9-for-11 from the charity stripe on Saturday, is currently ranked first in the conference in free throw percentage (.764).
No. 17/16 Xavier Musketeers (22-4, 10-0)
Conference: Atlantic 10
The No. 17/16 Xavier Musketeers enter this game still undefeated in 2009 and winners of 15 of their last 16 contests. In their previous four games (Dayton, George Washington, Richmond, St. Bonaventure), the Musketeers have won by an average of 17 points. In Sunday’s 78-57 home win over Dayton, sophomore Ta’Shia Phillips was one of two Musketeers to record a double-double, ending with game-highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds. Phillips shot 6-for-11 from the floor and also went a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe on the afternoon. Fellow frontcourt partner junior April Phillips followed up Ta’Shia Phillips’ double-double with one of her own, ending the day with 10 points and 11 boards. Between the two, both Ta’Shia and April have led or tied the team-high in rebounds in all but two games this season. In Sunday’s win, sophomore Special Jennings poured in 17 points, which included a game-high four three-pointers made, and junior Dee Dee Jernigan rounded out all Xavier double figure scorers with 14 points, on 5-of-6 shooting. Xavier outrebounded the Flyers, 40-32, and they also outscored Dayton in bench points, 18-11. Among Atlantic 10 leaders, Xavier is ranked first in scoring defense (52.1), field goal percentage defense (.318) and three-point percentage defense (.265).
Eye on an Explorer: Jamie Walsh
In Saturday’s 67-62 home loss to Charlotte, junior Jamie Walsh was one of three Explorers to score eight points. On the afternoon, Walsh went 3-for-7 from the field in addition to making two three-pointers on five attempts. On the season, she has played the most minutes (797) among the team and averages 31.9 minutes per game. Walsh is ranked second on the team in three-point percentage (.381), second in free throw percentage (.917), second in assists per game (2.4) and fourth in scoring (9.4).
Key Matchup: Morgan Robertson vs Ta’Shia Phillips
La Salle junior Morgan Robertson and Xavier sophomore Ta’Shia Phillips, who have been among the conference leaders in points and rebounds this season, finally meet up one-on-one. Both players enter this game after strong performances in their previous games. Robertson scored a game and career-high 26 points on Saturday against Charlotte and Phillips tallied game-highs of 19 points and 12 rebounds on Sunday against Dayton. Among A-10 scorers, Phillips is ranked seventh (13.6 ppg) and Robertson is right behind at 11 (12.8). Among A-10 leaders in rebounds, Phillips is ranked first (11.8) and Robertson is positioned at sixth (8.5). In her last two games, Robertson is averaging 16.0 points per game.
