PHILADELPHIA – A fourth quarter comeback falls short on Tuesday evening as the La Salle University women's basketball team (0-1) fell to Howard (1-0), 57-54, at Tom Gola Arena. In the game, the Explorers set a new program record with 61 rebounds. It is the most since the team corralled 58 against St. Mary's in 1989.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- In a back and forth first quarter, La Salle held the advantage after the first frame, 14-11. Senior Jeryn Reese registered the first bucket of the 2018-19 season, hitting a three pointer. After things were knotted at nine, the Explorers sailed off on a 6-2 run over the final 3:34. During that span, La Salle held the Bison without a field goal, forcing the team to go 0-for-7.
- To start the second period, the Explorers took a 9-0 run over the first 2:17. Sophomore Michelle Nicholls registered five points for the Blue and Gold during that span. After Howard battled back to take a one-point lead, La Salle ended the half on a 4-0 run over the final 2:23 to take a 25-24 lead into the break.
- The Bison took the lead in the third quarter, holding a 46-37 margin over the Explorers.
- Entering the fourth, La Salle stormed off to a 12-2 run to regain the lead, 49-48. Over the 4:42 span, sophomore Rayshel Brown scored six points for the Explorers. The rest of the frame was almost shot for shot, seeing four lead changes and a tie.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- As a team, the Explorers held the rebounding margin, 61-59. Junior Shalina Miller paced the team tying a career high 12 rebounds, while freshman Kayla Spruill added 10.
- La Salle held the Bison to just 2-for-22 from long range.
- Brown paved the way for the team with 10 points. Nicholls, Miller, and Spruill added nine apiece.
GAME NOTES:
- Spruill and classmates Erin Morgan and Shayla Sweeney played in their first collegiate game.
- Nicholls' nine points are the first of her career.
- Reese set a new career mark with seven points.
UP NEXT:
La Salle will be in action on Sunday for its first road contest of the year as the team travels to take on Robert Morris. Tip off is scheduled for noon.