PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – The La Salle women's basketball team was led by record-breaking Kayla Spruill with 24 points to defeat the Atlantic 10 number three Fordham Rams on Thursday in Tom Gola Arena at TruMark Financial Center.
 
The Explorers improve to 16-11 on the season and 7-5 in A-10 play while the Rams fall to 16-10 on the season and 8-5 in conference contests.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• An early six points from Claire Jacobs gave La Salle a four-point lead, 6-4, just 1 minute and 45 seconds into the game. The Rams put up two more points before the Explorers started on a 7-0 capped off with a Kayla Spruill three to take 13-4 lead with 6:29 to go. The Rams mounted an 8-2 run to come within three points of tying, 15-12, but another long ball from Spruill put the Explorers ahead 18-12 to end the frame.
• The Rams put up four early points answered by a jumper from Spruill followed by a scoreless two minutes for both teams ended with a Spruill jumper to put La Salle up 22-16 with 6:30 to go. Fordham's scoring momentum continued bringing the game within a single point at the half, 26-25.
• The Explorers pulled ahead by 10 points, 38-28, thanks to a Charity Shears layup combined with another Spruill three-pointer with neither team able to convert a bucket over the next four minutes until the Rams found themselves at the line shooting 1-of-2 to kickstart a small 4-0 run to bring the score back within six, 38-32. The teams remained even at 2-2 through the last minute with La Salle taking a 40-34 lead into the final 10 minutes.
• A 4-4 effort to start the final frame kept the Rams close until back-to-back buckets from Spruill put the Explorers back up by nine, with 4:45 to go. The Rams brought it back within five with 1:45 left to play but a 6-0 run kick started by an Amy Jacobs three-pointer put La Salle ahead by 11 for the 60-49 victory.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Spruill, who was honored for becoming the all-time three-point leader prior to tip, showed everyone just how she earned the title sinking 4-of-6 from deep while shooting 10-of-15 from the field for 24 points. The graduate student added eight boards, one steal and two assists in the game.
• Mia Jacobs finished the contest in double-digits with 10 points off 3-of-6 shooting and 4-of-4 from the charity stripe.
• Amy Jacobs led the battle at the boards with a team-high 11 rebounds.
• Molly Masciantonio proved yet again why she is the top point guard with seven assists and just one turnover.

GAME NOTES:

• La Salle continues to lead in the all-time series 36-16 while holding a 18-8 advantage at home.
• The victory marks the first time the Explorers have defeated the Rams at home since Jan. 11, 2012.
• La Salle now holds a two-game win streak in the series against Fordham.
• The contest marked Spruill's 15^th of the season in double-digits. She has now recorded back-to-back contests with 10-plus points. Her 24 points marked her fourth game with 20 points and first since recording 20 against UMES on Dec. 10, 2022.
• Mia Jacobs has now recorded back-to-back games with 10-plus points and 13 games in double figures overall this season. The freshman has reached double-digits in 10 of the 11 A-10 conference contests she has played in. Her 4-of-4 performance from the line marks her 14^th game where she has sunk at least four buckets from the charity stripe.
• Masciantonio has now recorded 15 games with zero or one turnover.
• La Salle continues to be perfect when leading at the half this season going 12-0 when holding the advantage after the first 20 minutes.

UP NEXT:

• The Explorers hit the road to face Saint Louis on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2 p.m.