Box Score

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - FIU used a 19-3 run spanning nearly six minutes in the first half to take control as the La Salle women's basketball dropped an 84-58 decision to the Panthers in the opening game of the Gator Holiday Classic at the University of Florida's O'Connell Center.

Alicia Cropper and Micahya Owens led the Explorers (3-6) with 13 points each. Khristin Lee returned after missing two games due to injury, chipping in nine points. Lisa Mintzer made her collegiate debut tonight after missing the first eight games due to a preseason injury. Mintzer scored five points in her debut, along with two rebounds and no turnovers in 23 minutes.

Four Panthers (4-5) reached double figures. The nation's fifth-leading scorer, Jerica Coley, hit a game-high 33 points on 10-for-27 shooting and 12-for-13 shooting at the free throw line. Tynia McKinzie and Taylor Shade scored 15 apiece and Kamika Odom added a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds. All 11 of Odom's points came at the free throw line.

The Explorers jumped out to a 7-2 lead at the first media timeout before the Panthers opened up the 19-3 run out of the timeout. The squad got within eight at 23-15 at 8:31 of the second half, the closest they would come the rest of the way.

The Panthers scored 28 of their points at the charity stripe. FIU also dominated the boards, outrebounding the Blue & Gold 47-35.

La Salle shot 39.6 percent (21-53) from the field, while the Panthers went 40.6 percent (26-64).

La Salle returns to action on Saturday for the final game of the Gator Holiday Classic. The Explorers face Tennessee State at 4:30 p.m. in the consolation game. TSU dropped an 86-56 decision to host Florida in its opener.