PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle women's basketball team mounted a comeback early in the second half but couldn't find the equalizer as the Explorers dropped a 72-61 decision to the Rhode Island Rams at Tom Gola Arena on Saturday afternoon. 

Trailing 45-33 following a Kallie Banker three-pointer at the 7:57 mark in the 3rd quarter, the Explorers responded with nine unanswered points to cut the deficit to three midway through the quarter.

Micahya Owens hit a jumper following the Banker trey and later hit a free throw before Adreana Miller nailed back-to-back three-pointers to make it a 45-42 game with 4:43 left in the 3rd. Rhody called a timeout and hit two free throws on their next possession to extend the lead to 47-42. 

Jasmine Alston trimmed the lead back to three points at 47-44 with a layup with 3:27 to go and the teams traded baskets once more but the Explorers were unable to find the equalizer. The Rams began to pull away with an 8-2 run to close the 3rd and the Explorers couldn't whittle their deficit below five points in the 4th quarter.  

Alston finished with eight points, seven assists and six rebounds while Owens led the Explorers in the scoring column with 20 points. The junior was 8-for-15 from the field with a team-high seven rebounds.

Miller finished in double figures for the seventh time in her freshman season, contributing 13 points and three rebounds. Amy Griffin added 16 points and four boards. 

La Salle hosts the Penn Quakers in Tom Gola Arena on Monday evening in a Big 5 rivalry game. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m.