Women's Basketball | November 5, 2018

PHILADELPHIA – After much anticipation, the Mountain MacGillivray era of La Salle women's basketball will start Tuesday as the Explorers host Howard for a 5:15 p.m. game at Tom Gola Arena.
 
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:

• MacGillivray added two new faces to the coaching staff with the hires of Chris Day and Gillian Abshire.
• Entering the 2018-19 season, La Salle returns eight players from a season ago, highlighted by the team's only returning starter, junior Shalina Miller. Last season, Miller finished fourth on the team in scoring with 8.9 ppg and third in rebounding with 4.9 rpg.
• The Explorers welcome five new faces to the team, with the addition of three members of their recruiting class, one transfer, and a walk-on freshman.
• As part of the class of 2022, freshmen Janay Sanders, Kayla Spruill, and Shayla Sweeney joined the program.
• Transferring from over the bridge in New Jersey is junior Kate Hill. Hill played her first two seasons at Rutgers for legendary coach C. Vivian Stringer. During her time with the Scarlet Knights, Hill saw action in 30 games, making eight starts.
• As a walk-on, freshman Erin Morgan joined the team in October.
• Sophomores Deja King and Michelle Nicholls are expected to see significant action for the Explorers.
• La Salle finished last season 8-22 overall and 3-13 in the Atlantic 10. The Explorers fell to the eventual A-10 Champion George Washington Colonials in the Atlantic 10 Championship.

SCOUTING THE BISON:

• Howard is under the direction of third-year head coach Ty Grace.
• The Bison are returning 11 players, including four of their five starters from a season ago. Highlighting the team is last season's top scorer, Sarah Edmond. Edmond posted 13.4 ppg, while shooting 34.5% from the field. Howard also welcomes back its leading rebounder, Imani Bryant. Bryant averaged 6.7 rpg for the Bison.
• Joining the team this season are freshmen Gia Thorpe and Krislyn Marsh.
• Last season, the Bison finished with a 12-18 overall record and 8-8 record in the MEAC. They lost to Florida A&M in the first round of the MEAC Tournament. 

THE SERIES:

• La Salle and Howard have met seven times coming into Tuesday's game, with the Explorers holding a 6-1 advantage.
• Most recently, La Salle took down Howard on Dec. 2, 2015, 71-68, in Washington, D.C.
• Last time these two teams met in Tom Gola Arena was on Nov. 22, 2014. In the game, the La Salle edged Howard, 65-64.
• The Explorers are currently riding a five-game win streak against the Bison.