As summer ramps up and La Salle's student-athletes are taking time away from the court, field, pitch or pool, we have an opportunity to reflect on an entire school year's worth of triumphs. From Atlantic 10 Tournament appearances to Academic All-Americans and success on the local and regional level, La Salle student-athletes had much to be proud of in 2010-11.
GoExplorers.com has been presenting a summer web series of the Top 11 moments or accomplishments of the past school year. There are just a few more left, so keep checking back for the final moments before fan voting opens for the No. 1 moment or accomplishment of 2010-11.
Today GoExlporers looks back at women's basketball's 85-84 win over Charlotte on February 16 – a victory that knocked off the then No. 3 49ers and one in which recent graduate Ashley Gale showed she truly was the leader of the Explorers last season.
In a thrilling contest that went down to the wire at Tom Gola Arena, Gale notched 29 points, which included five treys, went 10-for-10 from the free throw line, added four steals and came up big down the stretch.
“Ashley had a phenomenal game,” head coach Jeff Williams said. “She's been a kid who has worked so hard. She shot extra, bought into the system and poured her heart and soul into every game.”
La Salle trailed in the first half and then held a small lead through most of the second period, before Charlotte came back to tie the contest at 79-all with less than a minute and a half remaining.
The scored remained tied at 81-all with under a minute to play after Nadia Duncan hit a pair of free throws for the Explorers and Epiphany Woodson drove the lane for a layup.
Gale was fouled on the Blue and Gold's ensuing possession and held her composure to stink both free throws, putting her squad up by two.
Charlotte couldn't convert on the other end of the court and then the 49ers put Duncan on the line again. Both of her free throws rimmed out. Charlotte's Jennifer Haley grabbed the rebound and had a chance to tie the game with five seconds on the clock.
But Gale wasn't going to let this contest go into extra time. She stole the ball, drew a foul and sealed the victory for the Explorers with her ninth and tenth makes from the charity stripe on the evening.
“I just do whatever I have to do to help my team win,” Gale said after the game.
“Ashley made some big plays for us that game,” Williams said. “She stepped up as the leader of the team.”
Charlotte's Woodson would hit a half court shot at the buzzer to make the final 85-84 in the Explorers' favor.
Alexis Scott and Jess Koci also added 14 points each in the victory.
The win solidified the Explorers' berth in the A-10 tournament, where they were awarded the No. 9 seed after being picked to finish last in the conference in the preseason poll.
“After the win, [the Explorers] figured out they can play with some of the best teams in the league,” Williams said. “They came into practice, focused and worked hard. The run into the tournament also gave us confidence for this year.”
Gale is currently preparing to head overseas to try and secure a playing contract for a European team.
