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PHILADELPHIA - Cold shooting hampered the La Salle women's basketball squad throughout the night as the team suffered a 56-39 setback to Richmond at Tom Gola Arena on Wednesday evening.
The Explorers even their record at 10-10 while falling to 5-3 in the Atlantic 10. Richmond improves to 10-11 overall, evening its A-10 record at 4-4.
Alicia Cropper recorded her first career double-double with 11 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Explorers.
Jasmine Alston also scored 11 points while adding a game-high five steals. Both guards played all 40 minutes of action.
Richmond's Janelle Hubbard led all scorers with 18 points and Kristina King added 17 thanks to a 9-for-9 showing at the charity stripe.
The Explorers closed a nine-point deficit early in the second half to knot the game at 27-27 with 15:10 on the clock, but Richmond responded with 11 straight points over the middle six-plus minutes of the half to take the lead for good. The Explorers stopped the run with a Cropper jumper but the Spiders answered right back with a three-pointer from Lauren Tolson to regain the double-digit advantage. The Spiders maintained that advantage down the stretch.
La Salle shot just 24.5 percent (13-53) and could not connect from downtown, going 0-for-11. The Explorers made 13 of their 18 free throws to go 72.2 percent. Richmond shot 37.3 percent overall (19-51), and went just 3-for-16 from long range. The Spiders shot 15-for-17 at the free throw line.
The Explorers won the rebounding battle, 40-36.
The squad looks to get back on track on Saturday when the Explorers pay a visit to Saint Louis. Tipoff is set for 5:30 ET (4:30 CT).