PHILADELPHIA – With career bests from sophomore
Michelle Nicholls and junior
Sofilia Ngwafang, the La Salle women's basketball team (4-20, 1-9 A-10) to a season high 77 points in a win over Rhode Island (7-15, 2-8 A-10), 77-71. The win marks the team's first Atlantic 10 win of the season and head coach
Mountain MacGillivray's first of his career.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- It was a defensive first 5:15 of the initial quarter with La Salle holding a slim, 6-2, lead. Up to that point, the Explorers hadn't allowed a field goal. La Salle held the advantage over the remainder of the period, 12-8, for an 18-10 lead.
- Rhode Island opened the second stanza on a 13-1 run, forcing La Salle to use a timeout as the Rams led, 23-19. The Rams ended the half outscoring the Explorers, 18-13, to hold a 41-32 lead.
- La Salle cut the deficit to two in the third quarter with an 11-4 run to open the first 5:08 of the frame. The Explorers ended the third period with a 14-8 advantage to regain the lead, 57-53.
- The Rams outscored La Salle 15-10 through the first 7:14 of the final period to regain the lead by one point. The Explorers answered with a 10-3 run to claim the victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Nicholls finished with a career high in both points (23) and assists (7). The Auckland, New Zealand native shot 63.6% (7-of-11), including 60% (3-of-5) from long range. Her 23 points are the most by an Explorer this season.
- Ngwafang tied her career best with 18 points in a season high 24 minutes played. The junior shot 53.8% (7-of-13) from the field.
- Freshman Kayla Spruill added 11 points to the team's total. The rookie shot 60% (3-of-5) from downtown.
- Senior Jeryn Reese neared a double-double with eight points and a team high nine rebounds.
- Collectively, the Explorers shot 48.1% (26-of-54), tying a season best in field goals made, while hitting 6-of-13 (46.2%) from three-point range.
- La Salle dominated the paint, outscoring Rhody 34-24. The team also registered a season best 52 points off the bench.
UP NEXT:
La Salle heads to Saint Louis this weekend for a Sunday afternoon game. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. EST with the game airing on ESPN+.