The Wildcats Pulled Away at the End for a 69 – 50 Win Over the Explorers
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 1/2/2024 –
The teams came into the game on different trends; The Davidson Wildcats on a nine game winning streak, the La Salle Explorers on a seven game losing streak. Those trends continue as Davidson wins 69 – 50 over La Salle in the Atlantic 10 home opener on 20th and Olney. The game turned into a chess match, but the Wildcats had a better advantage on the chess board.
“A tough game for our kids,” said La Salle assistant coach Chris Day. “Very proud of them for making an in-game adjustment with us slowing it down. We got stuck there and they pulled away. That’s the best team in the league. We gave them some problems. We competed.”
Start Favors Davidson
Early in the game the Wildcats were playing the way they wanted to, get the ball inside for close in baskets. That led to a flow for the visitors who had 16 points in the paint and a 24 – 12 lead after one quarter, and seven of the nine players on the floor scored.
“That’s their game,” Day said about Davidson. “They post. That’s what they do. When we showed the defense, they were able to counter.
Explorers Adjustment
La Salle decided to slow the pace. On defense the Explorers kept the Wildcats off the scoreboard for a stretch of 5:16 to cut into the advantage which reached as many as 18 points. The score at the half was 35 – 26 visitors. The dividends were paid in the third quarter. La Salle made a run by playing a game of isolation with guard Makayla Miller at the top of the key driving to the basket. Miller scored 9 consecutive points for the Explorers who pulled to within 39 – 37 with just over five and a half minutes remaining in the quarter.
“I thought it really gave us energy and it showed that we could compete with this team,” Miller said. “It brought up our spirits and we cut it to two. After that it’s just about capitalizing off of it.”
But La Salle only got 2 more points in the quarter. Then Davidson got most of their offense at the foul line. They made 9 of 12 at the foul line in scoring 17 points.
“We can’t go on a four or five minute scoring drought,” said Day. We’re better than that.”
Davidson’s Move
The Wildcats adjusted to the Explorers offense. One time there was a trap which caused a turnover. Then, Davidson put taller players, Millie Prior and Charlise Dunn, on Miller at the top of the key to make the driving difficult.
“Maybe it did a little bit, but in my opinion I just got to be stronger taking it up and just finishing through contact, and trying to find my open players when they double me,” said Miller
The the ball went back inside as Prior and Dunn get key baskets to stretch the lead to as many as 20 points.
In the fourth quarter Molly Masciantonio provided the offense for the Explorers getting all 11 points in the final stanza.
What the Numbers Say
Masciantonio scored a season-high 17 points making 6 of 11 from the floor and 4 of 6 from beyond the arc. It tied her season-high in made three pointers. Miller scored 12 points and had a team-high tying 5 rebounds. La Salle made 18 of 52 shots (34.6%).
Davidson had four players score in double figures led by Prior with 14 points (5 of 8 from the floor). Dunn added 13 points and fellow front court mate Elle Sutphin had 12 points. Team leading scorer Suzi-Rose Deegan was limited to 10 points. Guard Issy Morgan did not score, but had a game-high in rebounds with 8 and assists handing out seven. Mallorie Hanes made both of her three-point shots. She leads the nation in three point shooting percentage. Presently Haines had drained 29 of 52 for a nation-best 55.8%.
The Wildcats made 24 of 49 from the field (49%), and 36 points came in the paint.
Up Next
Davidson (12 – 1, 2 – 0 Atlantic 10) readies for a home game against VCU. Both teams enter the game with a 12 – 1 record.
La Salle (3 – 10, 0 – 2) bounced back after a bad loss at George Mason to play a competitive game against a league leader. The team hopes to build off this effort as they host Fordham on Saturday.
“It definitely showed we have some heart and we were happy we were able to come back and show some fire, said Miller.”
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: glenn@phillycollegesports.com
Be the first to comment