Kingston, RI – On Saturday, the La Salle women's basketball team suffered a 77-54 loss at the hands of the Rhode Island Rams.

The Explorers allowed just 24 points in the first half before the Rams exploded for 33 points in the third quarter on 85% shooting from the field, coasting their way to their 9th conference win of the season.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• On the Explorers' opening possession, freshman Joan Quinn nailed a stepback three from the top of the key to give her team their first lead of the game, 3-2.
• Redshirt sophomore Ashleigh Connor picked up second chance points halfway through the opening period to cut the Rams' lead to 8-7.
• In the second quarter, graduate student Mackenzie Daleba scored four consecutive points, bringing the Blue and Gold within four at 19-15. She also contributed defensively with a steal and a block during the period.
• In the final minute of the half, junior Ty'Renisha Bowers secured a loose ball and dished it to junior Ivy Fox in the corner, who knocked down a shot to trim the Rams' lead to 21-20.
• Sophomore Aryss Macktoon and Quinn started the second half with a pair of tough layups, but the Explorers then hit a four-minute scoring drought. Connor finally ended the slump at the free-throw line, but not before the Rams extended their lead to 43-26.
• Macktoon scored three more times in the third but the Explorers struggled defensively, allowing Rhode Island to shoot 11/13 from the field in the period. Honey Kaur drained three triples to push the Rams' lead to 57-36 heading into the fourth.
• Continuing her strong play in the final quarter, Macktoon pushed her point total to 15, but it wasn't enough as the Explorers fell at the Ryan Center by a final score of 77-54.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Leading the way for the Explorers, Macktoon scored 15 points in her second consecutive game. The sophomore currently ranks second on the team in points per game.
• Setting a season-low in turnovers, the Blue and Gold only turned the ball over eight times, besting their previous mark of 11 which they recorded three times this season.
• Nine Explorers found the scoring column in the loss.

NEXT UP

Coming up, the Explorers will have a week off before returning home for a matchup with St. Bonaventure next Saturday.