PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The La Salle women's basketball team (3-10) fell on the third day of the Friar Holiday Classic to Providence (8-4), 77-47. The Explorers won two out of three games in the tournament.
 
Sophomore Deja King was named to the All-Tournament Team, averaging 10.3 points/game, 5.0 rebounds/game, 2.7 steals/game in 32 minutes per contest. The Trenton, N.J. native shot 35.3% from the field and 85.7% from the free throw line.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Providence held a 9-4 lead after the first five minutes of the game. The Friars continued to hold the advantage, ending the period up, 18-10. Junior Shalina Miller registered six of the Explorers points in the first.
• The Friars opened the second quarter on a 10-2 run over the first 4:45, forcing La Salle to call timeout. In the remaining 5:15, the Explorers held a 5-4 margin allowing only two Providence shots.
• Providence continued its offensive success, starting the third stanza with a 15-2 run before the media timeout at 4:47. The Explorers finished the remainder of the third on a slim 8-7 run with freshman Kayla Spruill scoring five points.
• Spruill continued her scoring in the final quarter, adding all five of La Salle's points over the first 2:20 of the final frame. The Explorers had a slim advantage, outscoring the Friars 7-6 over the first 5:03 of the frame. Providence kept a slight tilt the remainder of the game, outscoring La Salle, 11-8.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Spruill paced the team with a career high 15 points in just 16 minutes of play. The rookie shot 6-of-9 (67%), including 3-of-5 (60%) from long range.
• Miller added nine points, while corralling five rebounds.
• Redshirt-junior Amber Wilks scored her first points of the season and led the team with six boards.

UP NEXT:
La Salle returns to action on December 30 for a battle with Big 5 opponent Temple. The bout is set to tip at 2 p.m. from McGonigle Hall in North Philadelphia.