PHILADELPHIA – Entering the fourth quarter, the La Salle women's basketball team (3-16, 0-5 A-10, 0-4 Big 5) held a one-point lead, however the Saint Joseph's Hawks (6-12, 2-3 A-10, 1-3 Big 5) mounted a fourth quarter comeback to take down the Explorers, 60-57. Freshman Shayla Sweeney and junior Shalina Miller dropped 14 points apiece.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• After SJU came out with a lead, the Explorers took a 7-0 run over a 2:11 span to put La Salle up, 9-7. The Explorers ended the frame on an 8-4 spurt, holding the Hawks scoreless over the final 2:19. Explorers held a 17-11 lead after the first.
• La Salle continued its run into the second stanza, scoring the first four points. The Hawks closed the gap after that, outscoring the Explorers 12-6 through the remainder of the frame. La Salle held a 27-23 advantage at the half.
• The Explorers opened the second half scoring the first five points, including a three by sophomore Michelle Nicholls. St. Joe's battled back scoring the next seven points, as part of a 12-2 run into the media break at 4:19. La Salle finished the third outscoring SJU 7-5, holding a one-point led at the end of the period, 43-42.
• SJU opened the final frame outscoring La Salle, 11-6, before the media timeout at 3:57. The Explorers held an 8-7 advantage throughout the remainder of the game, however the Hawks finish on top, 60-57. La Salle held SJU without a field goal in the final 5:47 of the game.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• Joining Sweeney and Miller in double figures was sophomore Rayshel Brown with 10 points. Freshman Kayla Spruill neared the double-digit plateau with nine points - all from long range.
• Sweeney's 14 points tie her career high.
• The Explorers shot a season best 44.9% (22-of-49) from the field, including 42.9% (6-of-14) from three-point range.
• Miller shot 60% (6-of-10) from the floor, with Sweeney going 5-of-7 for a 71.4% performance.
• Nicholls registered a career high three blocks, while Miller added one.
• La Salle owned the paint, outscoring the Hawks 28-16 on the game. The Explorers also won the battle on second chance points (13-6), points off turnovers (17-9), and bench points (23-15).
• On the glass, senior Jeryn Reese and Miller each corralled six boards.

UP NEXT:
La Salle returns to Tom Gola Arena for a Wednesday night matchup with Duquesne. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. with the game airing on ESPN+.