FAIRFAX, Va. –  The La Salle women's basketball team couldn't pull ahead by more than two in the first half of play, but the squad mounted a second half come back to defeat George Mason by 10 points, 63-53, on Friday night in EagleBank Arena.
 
The Explorers improve to 10-6 on the season and 3-1 in the Atlantic 10. The Patriots 6-10 overall and 0-4 in conference play.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• George Mason got off to a quick start scoring five before La Salle got on the board. The Explorers went on a 7-0 run complete with a Kayla Spruill three to put La Salle up 7-5 with just over seven minutes remaining. The teams knotted the score twice over the following six minutes with a Claire Jacobs three and Gabby Crawford free throw putting the Explorers up by one to end the frame, 13-12.
• The second quarter was a back-and-forth battle that saw six lead changes with the Patriots holding the ultimate advantage going on a 6-2 run through the final 3:15 of the frame to lead 32-28 going into the second half.
• The Explorers put together a 35-21 second half effort including 21 points in the final frame to pull ahead of George Mason for the victory. La Salle turned on the heat in the fourth shooting 50.0% from the floor, 57.1% from deep and 62.5% from the line while holding the Patriots to just nine points on 2-of-16 shooting. La Salle ended the stanza on a 13-0 run through the final 4:42 of play to come out ahead, 63-53.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Spruill led the charge for the Explorers with 20 points of 7-of-13 shooting, 4-of-9 from deep and 2-of-2 from the line. She pulled down a team-high eight boards.
• Crawford contributed 11 points while Amy Jacobs, Christina Kline and Molly Masciantonio contributed six points apiece. Crawford totaled six rebounds and Amy Jacobs five.
• La Salle lost the turnover battle 18-17 but out-rebounded George Mason 39-34.
• The Explorers held the advantage in points from turnovers (14-12), second chance points (11-4) and points off the bench (26-2). The Patriots held the edge in the paint, 28-20.

GAME NOTES:

• This is the first time La Salle has out-rebounded its opponent since the squad played Sacred Heart on Dec. 18.
• The Explorers have shot at least 30.0% from the three-point range in 10 of its 16 games this season including the last two-straight.
• Spruill has now had four 20-plus games this season. She has put up double digits in seven of the last 10 contests.
• Crawford has put up 10-plus points in four of her five contests played this season.
• This is the sixth time this season that Kline has sunk two threes in a game.
• La Salle improves to 10-4 in the all-time series against George Mason and is now 4-2 when visiting the Patriots.
• The Explorers are 6-2 when their opponent scores first and is now 1-0 when playing on a Friday.
• La Salle has won all four games in which it has allowed only 50-59 points.

UP NEXT:

• La Salle faces a single-day turnaround returning to Tom Gola Arena this Sunday, Jan. 23 at 2 p.m. to take on Richmond in a special Explorers vs. Pediatric Game presented by City View Pizza. The game is dedicated to head coach Mountain MacGillivray's daughter Emily and is in partnership with the Be Positive Foundation. Come early to get an exclusive #ClimbWithEmily t-shirt. Fans will also have the opportunity to participate in a 50/50 raffle with funds being donated directly to the Be Positive Foundation to support the fight against pediatric cancer.