Philadelphia, PA - La Salle women's basketball opens Atlantic 10 play at home tomorrow against VCU, looking to kick off conference action with a statement after a strong start to the season.
Scouting the Rams
VCU arrives after a week in Hawaii at the North Shore Showcase, where the Rams fell to Colorado and continue on to UT Arlington. Their loss to Colorado dropped them to 3‑3 on the year, highlighting a tough stretch against power‑conference foes. Earlier in the month, senior guard Mary‑Anna Asare delivered a 25‑point performance in a tight win over Howard, including a go‑ahead three‑point play in the final four seconds.
The Rams are led by Beth O'Boyle, now in her 12th season and the winningest coach in program history. Under her guidance, VCU set a program record with 26 regular‑season wins in 2023‑24 and ranked among the nation's elite defenses last year, finishing fourth nationally in scoring defense and second in opponent 3‑point percentage.
Since the Rams joined the Atlantic 10 full time in 2012, the series has tilted toward VCU, but La Salle's recent success has flipped the script. The Explorers won the last two meetings to close last season, including a dramatic first‑round A‑10 Tournament victory sparked by Ashleigh Connor's game‑winning and‑one.
4 x 10
La Salle counters with rare balance and depth, boasting four players averaging double figures this season. Ashleigh Connor, Aryss Macktoon, Joan Quinn, and freshman Kiara Williams each bring at least 10 points per game, the only A‑10 team with that many double‑digit scorers early in the year.
Not in a Giving Mood
Defensively, La Salle has thrived on creating turnovers and protecting the rim. Macktoon's knack for steals has been a difference‑maker; her season total of 26 ranks among the nation's leaders and tops in the conference. Quinn and Connor also rank near top 5 in the A‑10 in steals per game. On the interior, La Salle's block numbers have risen dramatically from last season, led by freshman
Amiya Moses with efficient rim protection in limited minutes, and supported by fellow underclassmen
Ava Hoy and
Sania Jenkins. That emerging presence around the basket could make life difficult for Asare and others trying to score inside.
The Ki to Success
Redshirt freshman Kiara Williams has quickly become a reliable contributor, averaging 10 points per game on strong shooting, and adding nearly four rebounds. She recently posted a career‑high 16 points, showing she can step up when the Explorers need another scorer.
