Villanova, PA - The La Salle women's basketball team came up short in a 65-52 loss to Penn on Sunday afternoon at Finneran Pavilion. Junior guard Aryss Macktoon led the Explorers offensively, while redshirt junior guard Ashleigh Connor powered a strong third-quarter surge that briefly swung momentum La Salle's way before the Quakers closed the game out late.

Penn controlled much of the first half, limiting the Explorers to just eight points in the second quarter and taking a 29-18 lead into halftime. La Salle responded with its best stretch of the afternoon in the third, scoring the first 15 points of the quarter behind increased tempo and defensive pressure. Macktoon, Connor, and sophomore Joan Quinn helped trim the deficit to single digits, but Penn answered with timely three-pointers and second-chance points to maintain a 49-40 edge entering the fourth.

The Explorers continued to fight in the final period, but Penn's interior presence and rebounding advantage proved too much to overcome as La Salle was unable to complete the comeback.

Macktoon finished with 15 points, 7 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 assists in another strong all-around performance. Connor added 12 points and a career-best 7 assists to go with 4 steals. Quinn chipped in six points and four rebounds, while redshirt freshman Kiara Williams and senior Ivona Miljanic each scored six. Freshman Amiya Moses provided five points and four rebounds off the bench in her most playtime of the season.

La Salle forced 21 Penn turnovers and turned them into 23 points, winning the turnover battle in their seventh of nine games.

La Salle (6-3, 1-0 Atlantic 10) will travel to take on UMES on Sunday.