Philadelphia, PA - On Saturday afternoon at John E. Glaser Arena, the La Salle women's basketball team defeated Fordham 70-53 in Atlantic 10 action on WBB Alumni Day. The Explorers shot a season-best 54.7 percent from the field, led for more than 34 minutes, and celebrated major individual and team milestones while advancing to 13-11 on the season.
La Salle set the tone early on both ends, jumping to an 18-11 lead after the first quarter by holding Fordham to just 25 percent shooting. The offense clicked with crisp ball movement, as
Joan Quinn and
Kiara Williams connected for an early run. By halftime, the Explorers had built a 36-26 advantage, maintaining control even as the Rams made brief pushes late in the second quarter.
Fordham managed to chip away in the third, cutting the margin to single digits, but the Explorers responded with composure and intensity. Entering the fourth with a 50-42 lead, La Salle erupted with a 20-11 closing period, sparked by
Aryss Macktoon's mid-range jumper that stretched the margin to a game-high 21 points. The defense tightened again in the final minutes, limiting Fordham to 33.3 percent shooting and securing the team's largest margin of victory in conference play this season.
Aryss Macktoon led all scorers with 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting, collected her 300th career rebound, and tied her career high with four assists, anchoring both ends of the floor for the Explorers.
Joan Quinn reached 200 career rebounds, finished with 13 points, six boards, three assists, and a game-high four steals, energizing the defensive effort.
Ashleigh Connor added 11 points on 62.5 percent shooting and grabbed four rebounds, while
Ivona Miljanic set a new season high with four assists and did not commit a turnover in 22 minutes.
Collectively, La Salle registered 16 assists on 29 made field goals. The team shot 83.3 percent at the free-throw line and established a new season high in field goal percentage. The day also saw La Salle surpass last year's win total, clinch a regular-season sweep of Fordham, and reaffirm its place as the Atlantic 10's leader in steals.
La Salle will look to build on its strong play when they travel to face George Washington on Saturday, February 14 at 2 p.m. in Washington, D.C. Fans can follow all the action as the Explorers continue Atlantic 10 play.
