Women's Basketball | November 4, 2019
PHILADELPHIA – After much anticipation, the La Salle women's basketball team will begin year two of the MacGillivray era on Tuesday as the Explorers travel to Washington, D.C. to take on the Howard Bison.
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:
- Year two under head coach Mountain MacGillivray will look different than the opening season. MacGillivray's team features eight new faces, including three transfers and five true freshmen.
- Junior Deja King was the Explorers' leading scorer from a season ago. Despite missing the entire conference season due to injury, King averaged 9.0 ppg. At the time of her injury, she led the team in points, steals, and assists.
- Senior Shalina Miller finished second on the team in rebounding a last year and is the top returner in that category with 6.8 rpg. The Philadelphia, Pa. native also set the single-season record for blocks with 64. Miller is 38 blocks shy of tying Amy Griffin '18 for the all-time record.
- Junior Kate Hill will make her La Salle debut after sitting out last year due to NCAA transfer rules. The Toronto, Ontario native came to 20th & Olney after spending three seasons at Rutgers.
- Graduate transfer Carley Lytton and junior college transfer Haleigh Hill are immediately eligible for the Explorers, however sophomore transfer from Holy Family, Molly Masciantonio will miss the season due to transfer rules.
- Rookies Kayla Braxton-Young, Amy Jacobs, Claire Jacobs, Christina Kline, and Jordon Lewis are all expected to have the opportunity to make an immediate impact.
- The La Salle lineup rounds out with senior Sofilia Ngwafang and sophomore Erin Morgan. Ngwafang showed her explosiveness off the bench last year scoring 18 points in a win over Rhode Island. Morgan appeared in 27 games as a walk-on freshman.
SCOUTING THE BISON:
- Howard is led by fifth year head coach, Ty Grace. Under her directions, the Bison posted an 18-13 overall record.
- Four Bison were named to the MEAC Pre-Season Teams, led by senior Sarah Edmond on the First Team. Edmond led the Bison with 15.5 ppg a season ago.
- Senior Ayonna Williams and Jayla Thornton were named to the Second Team, while senior Imani Bryant took Third Team honors.
- Howard was picked to finish third in the MEAC by the league's head coaches.
SERIES HISTORY:
- Tuesday's season opener will be the ninth meeting between the two teams.
- La Salle holds the all-time record 6-2, including five of the last six.
- Howard claimed last season's matchup at Tom Gola Arena, 57-54. In that game, the Explorers set a single-game record for rebounds with 61.
- The Explorers are 2-1 all-time in D.C.
