La Salle Falls 57 – 40 to George Mason at John E. Glaser Arena
PHILADELPHIA, PA 1/18/2025 –
The La Salle Explorers looked to end a six game losing streak. The Explorers did not get the result they wanted with a 57 – 40 loss to the George Mason Patriots. The teams played even in the first half. Then the Mason pressure defense took its toll on La Salle who scored 8 points in the second, third, and fourth quarter. It matched their lowest point total output of the season.
“I think their press gave us a little trouble, the physical play was hard for us to deal with,” said La Salle Coach Mountain MacGillivray. “The rules are supposed to take care of that, but didn’t. That was a challenge. We turned the ball over too much and didn’t get enough scores, and they were able to get separation.”
A key factor in the loss was turnovers. La Salle gave the ball up 20 times which resulted in an 18 – 7 disadvantage in points off turnovers. The Patriots defense caused the Explorers to take nine less shots. The defense disruption was caused by quickness, physicality, and just by being active.
The Third Quarter Tilted the Game
Coming out of halftime the game was knotted at 24. Mason scored the first 9 points of the quarter over a two and a half minute span. La Salle got their first basket with just over seven minutes remaining in the quarter. In the fourth quarter the lead would balloon to twenty before LSU scored seven consecutive points to retain some contact.
La Salle held a 16 – 6 lead after ten minutes shooting 7 of 11 from the field and made both shots from outside the arc. Meanwhile Mason converted only 2 of their 13 attempts. Something LSU was not able to sustain.
“We were showing them we belong,” MacGillivray said. “It’s natural for human nature to turn around and get a little nervous about it. There was definitely some fumbles and drops that we could have capitalized on, that we didn’t.”
What the Numbers Say
Freshman Joan Quinn led the Explorers in scoring with 15 points, two shy of her career-high. Ashleigh Connor scored 9 points. The two young guards have been entrusted with setting up the Explorers offense and have earned the praise of their coach.
“I thought they did a great job and the whole team did a real good job getting in position and knowing where to be,” MacGillivray said. “It didn’t result in high efficiency. They got the team organized, and controlling the tempo definitely had us withing range the whole game.”
La Salle outrebounded Mason 33 – 29 with Mackenzie Daleba taking down a game-high 9 rebounds.
George Mason had four players score in double figures. Zahirah Walton led the team with 17 points. Kennedy Harris added 11 points along with Ta’Viyanna Habib, who had a team-best 6 rebounds. Paula Suarez scored 10 points, handed out 6 assists, and stole the ball three times.
The points came from the paint and fast breaks. The teams took a total of 25 three-point shots and made only five.
“We did a great job guarding around the arc, held them to 3 for 12 and limited the number of threes they got,” said MacGillivray.
GMU made 10 of 12 free throws while LSU was 6 of 8. For La Salle all their free throws came in the fourth quarter.
Next Up
George Mason (15 – 3, 5 – 2) returns home to host Davidson on Wednesday.
La Salle (7 – 13, 1- 6) looks to end a their seven game losing streak on Wednesday morning when they host Duquesne. Ending the skid is something the team really wants and needs to do.
“This team, despite the losing streak, some of the margins, they’re hungry and they’re competing and battling every day,” said MacGillivray.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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