Women's Basketball | January 28, 2021

PHILADELPHIA – Riding a three-game win streak, the La Salle women's basketball team (8-7, 4-4 A-10) will travel north for battles with Rhode Island (5-5, 5-2 A-10) and Massachusetts (10-3, 6-2). Friday's game at Rhody is set for 5 p.m. and Sunday's at UMass for 2 p.m. Both will stream nationally on ESPN+.
 
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:

• La Salle has won five of its last six games after the weekend sweep of George Washington and George Mason.
• During that stretch, the Blue & Gold significantly improved in some key areas. La Salle is holding its opponents to 57.2 points per game and outscoring them on average by 6.5 points. The squad cut down on turnovers to 13.8 per game and is winning the turnover battle by 4.0 per outing. Junior Kayla Spruill is leading the team during that span with 18.5 ppg on 51.1% from the floor and 54.4% (12-22) from deep. Sophomore Claire Jacobs adds 15.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 2.0 spg. Senior Kate Hill is handing out 6.0 apg with an assist to turnover ratio of 5.1.
• Jacobs leads the squad overall with 15.1 ppg, 5.0 rpg, and 2.0 spg in 14 games played. The Perth, Australia native has registered 15 points or more in nine games this season, including 10+ in 22 of her last 24 outings.
• Spruill is second on the team in scoring (12.5) and rebounding (4.5). After returning to the lineup from injury against the Bonnies and is averaging 18.5 ppg on 51.1% shooting over those four games. During her four-game return, Spruill has scored 16, 24, 23, and 11 points.
• Junior Molly Masciantonio rounds out the top three scorers for the Explorers with 8.2 per game. Masciantonio has been extremely consistent for La Salle, scoring seven points or more in 12 of her 15 games this season.
• Hill has been a force for the Explorers at the point. The Toronto, Ontario native leads the squad with 4.7 apg and 3.2 assist to turnover ratio. Her assists per games and assist to turnover ratio ranks her 53^rd and 14^th in the nation, respectively.
• La Salle leads the A-10 in assists, steals, three-point field goal attempts, and three-point field goals made.

SCOUTING THE RAMS:

• Rhode Island is 5-5 overall and 5-2 in the Atlantic 10. The Rams head into Friday's game with three straight wins.
• Rhody has a quartet of players averaging right around 10 points per game. Emmanuelle Tahane (16.2), Johanna Muzet (10.5), Marie-Paule Foppossi (10.0), and Catherine Cairns (9.0) make up that group.
• The Rams are connecting on an impressive 44.1% of their shots, including 30.7% from deep.

SERIES HISTORY – RHODE ISLAND:

• La Salle is 29-8 all-time against the Rams, including 12-3 on the road.
• Rhode Island took the first matchup of the season, 72-69. The Explorers were without Spruill and senior Deja King for that game.

SCOUTING THE MINUTEWOMEN:

• UMass sits at 10-3 overall and 6-2 in league games. The Minutewomen are scheduled to take on Saint Joseph's on Friday before Sunday's matchup.
• Massachusetts boasts a trio of double-digit scorers in Sam Breen (17.6), Sydney Taylor, 16.0), and Destiny Philoxy (10.8).
• The Minutewomen are outscoring their opponents by 9.6 ppg and are scoring 69.5 points on average.

SERIES HISTORY – MASSACHUSETTS:

• The Minutewomen hold the advantage all-time, 21-13, including the last four meetings.
• La Salle's last win over UMass came during the 2016-17 season when the Explorers took the season sweep - Jan. 25, 68-64, and Feb. 19, 57-52.