March 4, 2011
Box Score
LOWELL, Mass. -
Junior Nadia Duncan led the Explorers with a game-high and career-high tying 20 points as the team fell 79-55 in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament at the Tsongas Center, ending La Salle’s season.
“I’m proud of what the girls accomplished this season,” head coach Jeff Williams said. “I think the team matured a lot and worked hard. The future looks bright for La Salle basketball.”
The Explorers scored the game’s first points off a jumper by sophomore Alexis Scott, but that would be the only time they led in the game.
The Hawks opened up a 10-2 advantage in the first five minutes of the contest and would push it to as many as 17 by the end of the half. La Salle trailed 39-22 at the break.
The Explorers had their chance to make the game closer from the free throw line, but missed nine of their 19 attempts from the charity stripe in the first half.
Freshman Jess Koci, who sat out for the remainder of the first half after picking up her second foul with 13:48 to play, scored seven of the Explorers’ first 11 points after the break. She finished with nine points and two rebounds in the contest.
La Salle couldn’t rally, as Saint Joseph’s retained a comfortable double-digit lead throughout the remainder of the contest.
For the Hawks, Erin Shields finished with 16 points and Kelly Cavallo posted a game-high seven rebounds.
Saint Joseph’s shot .529 from the field, compared to the Explorers’ .357.
Senior Ashley Gale took just four shots from the field and ended her career with three points, two assists and four steals in the contest.
Her 18.0 points per game this season are places her tied for eighth all-time in single-season scoring average at La Salle.
This is the highest scoring average posted by an Explorer since Chrissie Donahue’s 18.8 points during the 1994-95 season.
Fellow senior Chelsea Conner added a team-high tying five rebounds to go with three points.
“It has been an honor to coach Chelsea and Ashley,” Williams said. “They have made me a better coach.”
