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RICHMOND, Va. - The La Salle women's basketball squad never found its offensive rhythm on Friday evening as the seventh-seeded Explorers dropped a 54-42 decision to second-seeded St. Bonaventure in the quarterfinal round of the Atlantic 10 Championship at the Richmond Coliseum.

Alicia Cropper led the Explorers (15-15) with 18 points, aided by a 6-for-6 showing at the free throw line. Micahya Owens added 13, also with a perfect 5-for-5 outing at the charity stripe. Jasmine Alston pulled down 10 rebounds to lead the defensive effort.

Though the Explorers limited A-10 First Team pick Katie Healy to 11 points, Hannah Little stepped up for 22 points and 17 rebounds. Nyla Rueter added 14 points for the Bonnies, who move on to tomorrow's semifinal round against the winner of the #3 Fordham/#6 Duquesne matchup.

Neither team got on the board until the Bonnies (23-9) broke through with a Rueter three at 15:27. They went up 9-0 into the second media timeout with 11:31 on the clock. Cropper drained the Explorers' first two points on free throws out of the timeout and then drained a three to get the Explorers within 9-5. Owens added two free throws and a jumper to cap a 9-0 Explorer run and erase the Bonnies' lead.

The Bonnies responded with six straight points to take the lead for good, but they also struggled offensively as they only led 18-14 at the half.

Though the Explorers were never far behind, getting within 32-30 with 9:02 remaining in the game, the Bonnies outscored the Blue & Gold 22-12 beyond that point to put the game out of reach.

The Explorers shot a dismal 12.1 percent in the first half (4-33), kicking it up to 33.3 percent (10-30) in the second half for a game percentage of 22.2 percent. They went 11-for-16 at the free throw line.

The Bonnies shot 37.5 percent for the game and went 21-for-27 from the free throw line. They also won the rebounding battle, 42-40.

The one bright spot was in the turnover category as the Explorers committed a season-low five miscues, while forcing the Bonnies into 12.