Henrico, VA – Redshirt Sophomore Ashleigh Connor's game-winning buzzer-beater gave the La Salle women's basketball team a 50-48 victory over VCU in the first round of the Atlantic 10 Tournament on Wednesday night.
This marks La Salle's first victory in the Atlantic 10 Tournament since 2021, when the Explorers beat #9 Duquesne. It's also just the second-ever victory by a #14 seed in the history of the tournament. 

How It Happened: 

• Trailing 16-11 after the first quarter, the Explorers outscored the Rams 12-4 to take a 23-20 lead at the half. 
• La Salle held VCU to 8-23 (34.8%) shooting from the field in the first half.
• Junior Ayisse Magassa led the Explorers with eight points in the first half.
• Both teams had a fast start to the second half, with VCU outscoring La Salle 15-13 in the third quarter to set up a tightly contested final period.
• Graduate student Jolene Armendariz scored a team-high five points in the third quarter.
• The fourth quarter alone featured three ties and six lead changes, as both teams went back and forth.
• A clutch basket by sophomore Aryss Macktoon tied the game at 48-48 with 37 seconds to play. The Explorers got a stop on the defensive end, setting up Connor's game-winner.

Inside the Numbers: 

• After turning the ball over 10 times in the first half, La Salle committed just three turnovers in the second half.
• Freshman Joan Quinn led the Explorers with 12 points, while Macktoon finished with 11 points on the night.
• La Salle had 13 steals on the day and held an 11-8 edge in points from turnovers.

Next up, the Explorers will take on #6 Dayton on Thursday night, with tip-off set for 7:30 pm.