Women's Basketball | December 17, 2018

PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle women's basketball team (1-9) will head to Providence for the Friar Holiday Classic this week. While in Rhode Island, the Explorers will take on Northern Kentucky (1-6) Wednesday at 7 p.m., Pepperdine (5-2) Thursday at 7 p.m., and conclude the tournament by taking on the hosting Friars (5-4) Friday at 2:30 p.m.
 
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:

• After dropping the first eight games of the season, La Salle has split its last two games, taking down Norfolk State and falling to St. John's.
• Most recently against the Red Storm, La Salle shot season bests in field goal (40.4%) and three-point (47.1%) percentages. Sophomore Rayshel Brown led the team in scoring with a career high 20 points, shooting 57.1% (8-of-14) from the floor, including a perfect 100% (3-of-3) from long range. Her performance landed her a spot on both the Atlantic 10 and Philadelphia Big 5 Weekly Honor Rolls.
• Over the last four games, the Explorers have registered a +25 turnover margin, winning the turnover battle in three of the four outings. Due to this, La Salle sits 5th in the conference with a +1.0 turnover advantage on the season.
• Coinciding with the team's recent success in the turnover department, the Explorers rank first in the Atlantic 10 in steals (99) and steals/game (9.9).
• The Friar Holiday Classic will mark the first three of six consecutive games La Salle will play away from Tom Gola Arena. Following the tournament, the Explorers finish 2018 at Temple (12/30) and open the new year at conference opponents, Dayton (1/5) and VCU (1/8).
• On the season, sophomore Deja King is leading the team in scoring with 8.5 points/game, while junior Shalina Miller paces the squad in rebounding with 6.0 per contest.

SCOUTING THE NORSE:

• After claiming the first game of the season, Northern Kentucky has dropped its last six to sit at 1-6 on the year. Most recently, the Norse fell to #4/3 Louisville, 92-59.
• Collectively, Northern Kentucky is scoring 58.1 points on average this season, with a trio of players averaging 9.0 points or better per contest. Kailey Coffey (9.9), Taylor Clos (9.3), and Molly Glick (9.0) are the team's leading scorers. The Norse shoots 40.3% from the floor, with Coffey dropping an impressive 55.1% of her baskets.
• On the defensive side, the team has been allowing 63.4 points/game on average and giving up 21.7 turnovers for a margin of -4.6.

SCOUTING THE WAVES:

• Pepperdine enters the tournament with a 5-2 record and will take on Providence on Wednesday. In their most recent game, the Waves fell to Idaho State, 65-63.
• With three players scoring in double figures, Pepperdine averages 74.6 points/game offensively, with Yasmine Robinson-Bacote dropping 21.4 points per contest. She also leads the team in rebounding with 6.0 on average.
• Joining Robinson-Bacote in double digit points averages are Paige Fecske (11.4) and Barbara Sitanggan (10.4).
• Defensively, the Waves allow 68.6 points per game, allowing opponents to shoot 40.8% on average.

SCOUTING THE FRIARS:

• The hosting Friars enter the tournament with a 5-4 overall record and will take on both Pepperdine and Northern Kentucky before playing the Explorers on the final day of the tournament.
• Offensively, Providence averages 62.8 points per game, with Jovanna Nogic (14.6) and Chanell Williams (10.7) pacing the team.
• On defense, the Friars are allowing 57.9 points per contest.