Bronx, NY - The La Salle women's basketball team closed out the calendar year with a 72-69 road victory over Fordham on Wednesday afternoon at Rose Hill Gym.

The Explorers improved to 9-4 overall and 2-0 in Atlantic 10 play, handing the Rams their second straight conference loss.

La Salle set the tone early, getting out to a 22-17 lead after the first quarter. The Explorers continued to apply pressure in the second, stretching the advantage behind balanced scoring and strong work on the glass to carry a 39-39 tie into the break after Fordham responded late in the half.

After halftime, La Salle reasserted control with a strong defensive effort, holding the Rams to just 17 points in the third quarter while building a six-point cushion heading into the final 10 minutes. Fordham made one last push in the fourth, cutting the deficit to one possession in the closing minute, but La Salle knocked down key free throws and came up with timely defensive stops to secure the three-point win.

Redshirt junior Ashleigh Connor led the Explorers with 17 points, while junior Aryss Macktoon, redshirt freshman Kiara Williams, and sophomore Joan Quinn each finished in double figures.

Connor also paced La Salle at the charity stripe, going 9-for-10, as the Explorers finished the game shooting 85.7 percent from the line. La Salle controlled the glass defensively, with Williams leading the way in rebounds, while the Explorers protected the rim with several key blocks in the second half. Freshman Amiya Moses registered eight points and three blocks in her fourth multi-block game of the season.

The Explorers will look to carry the momentum into their next conference test on Saturday as Atlantic 10 play continues with a home contest with George Washington.