Women's Basketball | January 20, 2022

FAIRFAX, Va. – The La Salle women's basketball team returns to the court in a rescheduled matchup against George Mason on Friday, Jan. 21 at 7 p.m. in Eaglebank Arena. The game is set to air nationally on ESPN+.
 
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:

• The Explorers hit the road again following a 69-65 comeback victory against A-10 and Big 5 rival Saint Joseph's in an MLK day showdown on Monday. The Explorers got off to a slow start in the first quarter, but quickly turned the momentum in their favor to take the lead over the Hawks thanks to a 100.0% shooting effort from the line.
• La Salle's 18-18 effort from the line in the game against St. Joe's tied for the highest free throw percentage in a single-game in the NCAA this season. The Explorers currently rank first in the conference for free throw percentage, 79.7%. La Salle has won the turnover battle in 10 of its 15 games this season including the last three straight. The Explorers rank second in the conference in turnover margin, 2.67.
• Kayla Spruill leads La Salle in scoring averaging 15.0 points per game on 46.2% shooting from the field, 45.3% from deep and 91.2% from the line. She ranks second in the conference in both 3-point field goal percentage and free throw percentage. She had a near-perfect game against St. Joe's going 6-of-7 from the field, 3-of-3 from the long range and 4-of-4 from the line. She has shot 100.0% from the line in nine of the last 12 contests.
• Gabby Crawford and Claire Jacobs are both averaging double-digits for the Explorers. Crawford is averaging 13.8 points per game and is shooting 41.9% from the field. The junior recorded a perfect 9-for-9 effort from the line in the contest against the Hawks. She has recorded 10-plus scoring efforts in three of her four contests as an Explorer. Jacobs is averaging 11.3 points per game shooting 29-for-80 (.363) from the 3-point range.
• As a squad La Salle is shooting 36.9% from the field, 30.8% from deep and 79.7% from the line.

 
SCOUTING THE PATRIOTS:

• George Mason enters the game on a six-game losing streak having not won a contest since Dec. 1 when the Patriots defeated Florida, 75-71.
• The Patriots most recently dropped the contest to Richmond on Wednesday at home. The Spiders shot 42.6% from the floor making 11 three-pointers. The Patriots are 1-6 when their opponent makes seven or more threes.
• George Mason shot below 70.0% from the charity stripe in two of its last three contests. The Patriots made 20 trips to the line in the game against Richmond sinking 17 attempts (.850).
• The Patriots rank 70^th in the nation in free throws made going 207-of-287 from the line this season (.718). The squad has shot 70.0% or better from the line in 10-of-15 games.
• Senior Amaya Scott scored a game-high 24 points in the game against Richmond marking her fifth time with 20-plus points this season. Scott shot 60.0% from the field and finished with five rebounds and three steals. She is the conference's third-leading scorer averaging 21.3 points in conference play. The senior ranks 57^th nationally in points per game with 17.9.
• Junior Jordan Wakefield nearly posted a double-double against Richmond scoring 15 points and pulling down nine boards. She dished out a team-high four assists. She currently ranks 15^th in the A-10 in scoring (13.1) and 20^th in rebounding (5.7). Wakefield ranks 40^th nationally in free throw percentage shooting 86.2% this season, good for fourth in the conference.

 
SERIES HISTORY:

• La Salle leads the all-time series against George Mason 9-4 while also holding the advantage when visiting the Patriots home court, 3-2.
• The Explorers have recorded four consecutive victories against the Patriots most recently downing George Mason 56-49 at Tom Gola Arena on Jan. 24, 2021. A fourth-quarter push propelled La Salle past the Patriots.
• George Mason held La Salle scoreless through the final six minutes of the first frame. The Explorers attempted to mount a comeback in the second stanza, but the Patriots held the advantage in the third to maintain their lead. La Salle out-scored George Mason 18-0 in the final six minutes of the game to take the victory.