ANCHORAGE, Alaska – The La Salle women's basketball team was no match against the Alaska Anchorage shooting efforts falling to the host team, 88-75, in the championship round of the Great Alaska Shootout.
The Seawolves walk away with the victory with La Salle claiming second place, Pepperdine in third and UC Riverside in fourth.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- The teams traded buckets through the first eight minutes until foul trouble for the Explorers helped the Seawolves pull ahead by four, 18-14, with 1:25 left. Charity Shears sunk a deep ball from the corner to bring La Salle back within one, 18-17, but the Explorers gave up a foul to put Alaska ahead 20-17 to end the first quarter.
- The second quarter was a challenge for the Explorers with Alaska starting the frame on a 9-2 run comprised solely of 3-pointers to pull ahead by 10, 29-19, before the media break. The Seawolves kept up the sharp shooting with a 55.6% performance from beyond the arc to take a 19-point into the second half, 45-26.
- The Seawolves pulled away by as many as 26 points but a 12-point effort from Claire Jacobs helped the Explorers to cut the deficit to 10, 61-51, with 1:13 left. Alaska went up by 13 and a Kayla Spruill layup as time ran out kept La Salle within 11, 64-53.
- The Explorers came as close as seven points, 80-73, with just under two minutes left in the fourth but a 46.2% effort from the field including a 42.9% performance from the three handed Alaska the 88-75 victory.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Claire Jacobs led the Explorers with 21 points from 7-of-14 shooting including 4-of-9 from deep and 3-of-3 from the line.
- Spruill was the only other Explorer in double-figures with 18 points from 8-of-15 shooting including 1-of-2 from beyond the arc and 1-of-5 from the free throw line. She led the team in rebounding with eight.
- Fiona Connolly led the team in assists with nine.
GAME NOTES:
- This was the first-ever matchup between Alaska and La Salle. The Seawolves now lead the all-time series against the Explorers, 1-0.
- Claire Jacobs has now recorded 20-plus points in two-straight games and double figures in three consecutive contests.
- Spruill has recorded 10-plus points in five-straight games. Her eight rebounds marks the most this season.
- Amy Jacobs' six assists ties her career-high.
- The contest marks the first loss for the Explorers this season since their season-opening loss at Howard. This is the second loss on the road for La Salle this season.
UP NEXT:
- La Salle hits the road once more for a local matchup against Lafayette on Tuesday, Nov. 22 at 6 p.m.
