Women's Basketball | November 14, 2022

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The La Salle women's basketball team come home to Tom Gola Arena following a three-game stint on the road to take on cross-town rival Drexel in the program's home-opener this Tuesday, Nov. 15 at 12 p.m. The game will stream live on ESPN+.
 
The game kicks off La Salle's Thanksgiving food drive and fans are encouraged to bring a non-perishable good for donation. Fans will also have the opportunity to receive a free La Salle Basketball 2022-23 schedule magnet.
 
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:

• La Salle returns to Tom Gola Arena for its home-opener against Drexel. The Explorers make the return home following three-straight road games to start the season, most recently coming off an 83-64 victory over Niagara.
• The Explorers put together an impressive 54 points in the opening half to take a lead it wouldn't relinquish over the Purple Eagles and record its highest-scoring game of the season thus far, 83-64.
• La Salle went 31-of-59 (52.5%) from the field and 10-of-20 (50%) from beyond the arc to mark the highest field goal percentage and 3-point field goal percentage in a game this season.
• Claire Jacobs led the way for the Explorers with a team-high 16 points. She is the first player this season to break 15-plus points in a game. The senior went 6-of-12 from the field and 4-of-6 from deep.
• Gabby Crawford landed in double-digits for the second time this season. She is just one of three Explorers to record multiple double-digit games. The senior forward went a perfect 6-of-6 from the line. She is the first to shoot 100% (min. 5 attempts) from the line this season and was the last one to do it going 9-of-9 against Saint Joseph's on Jan. 17, 2022.
• Julie Jekot had a career game against Niagara. The sophomore set new career records in points (11), steals (3), field goals (4), field goal attempts (7), and minutes played (23).
• Charity Shears continues to serve as a threat for the Explorers especially from the 3-point range. She is on the only member of the roster that is averaging double-digit points (10.7). The graduate student is also the only Explorer to record two consecutive 10-plus point games.
• Amy Jacobs has been strong at the rim for La Salle leading the rebounding average for the team with 6.0 rebounds per game. She came close to a double-double against Howard with a career-high nine boards and 12 points.
• La Salle has had three or more double-digit point scorers in every contest this season. Three Explorers have recorded at least two games in double-figures.

 
SCOUTING THE DRAGONS:

• The Dragons enter the contest following their season-opener at home against Rider. Drexel defeating the Broncs in a convincing 84-58 victory.
• Keishana Washington led the charge for Drexel with 32 points and two assists over 32 minutes of play. It marked her sixth career 30-point game. She has recorded 10+ points in 35 consecutive contests and ranks ninth in program history with 1, 539 career points.
• Kylie Lavelle recorded a 20-point game against the Broncs adding six rebounds. It marks the most points from a freshman in their debut since 2001-02.
• The 84 points from the Dragons are the most by the team since the 84-74 win over William & Mary on Feb. 21, 2020/

 
SERIES HISTORY:

• This is the 33^rd meeting overall for the Dragons and Explorers. La Salle leads the all-time series 20-12, but is currently on a single-game skid against Drexel.
• The Explorers will look to notch their 15^th victory over the Dragons in Tom Gola Arena and their first victory on their home court this season. La Salle has not won a home match against the Dragons since Jan. 13, 2021.

In the last meeting between the two teams, the Dragons got off to an early 8-0 run to take a 10-point lead. Efforts from Molly Masciantonio and Amy Jacobs in the second and third frames paired with an early 5-0 run from La Salle to start the fourth quarter gave the Explorers their first lead. Drexel managed to regain the lead to defeat La Salle in a six-point decision, 71-65.