Saint Joseph’s Sweeps Season Games Against La Salle 76 – 52
PHILADELPHIA, PA 1/25/2025 –
The Saint Joseph’s Hawks played their second consecutive game short handed utilizing a seven-player rotation. The Hawks still have Laura Ziegler and Mackenzie Smith on the floor, and are showing that more team members are playing effective extended minutes. The newly developing depth showed in a 76 – 52 win over the La Salle Explorers at the Hagan Arena.
“I think today is an indicator. I think Wednesday is an indicator of how they’re responding,” said Saint Joseph’s Coach Cindy Griffin. “I’m grateful that we are coming out with wins. I think it is going to make us deeper when everyone is healthy.”
As expected the big numbers came from Ziegler, who had 14 points and 13 rebounds to record her 36th career double-double while adding 3 assists and 3 steals, and Smith who lead the team with 22 points. The question was how to get the missing points, rebounds, and assists of Talya Brugler and Emma Boslet. In this game Paula Maurina scored a season-high 14 points making 5 of 7 from the floor and going 4 for 4 from the free throw line. Gabby Casey and Aleah Snead scored in double figures getting 10 each. And Kaylie Griffin handed out a career-high 4 assists for the fourth time this season.
An added benefit for the Hawks is that Snead is taking on more responsibility and gaining confidence.
“It is definitely giving me more confidence on the floor,” said Snead. “A lot of people we are missing did a lot of big things for us. I’m just trying to pick up the pieces where they left off, defense and offensive rebounds are a big part of what they did. I’m just trying to pick up the slack.”
Big Third Quarter Fuels the Hawks
La Salle never took the lead in the game. Late in the second quarter the Explorers mounted a run over the last two and a half minutes to get to within 31 – 27 at halftime. Saint Joseph’s answered by scoring the first 8 points of the third including two huge three-pointers by Smith.
“Monstrous, really big,” Griffin said about Smith’s baskets. “It gave us separation when we needed it.”
After La Salle got four points from guard Joan Quinn they went cold from the floor not scoring for nearly four minutes while St. Joe’s scored 16 consecutive points.
“Always important for every game to come out in the third quarter and get a spark and get a lead,” Snead said. “I think we did that today.”
A cold third quarter has plagued the Explorers over the past few games. A problem that needs to be fixed.
“It’s been four games that we struggled in the third, I guess I can’t say I’m surprised,” said La Salle Coach Mountain MacGillivray. “You don’t ever expect to go 26 and 9 in quarter. I felt great about fixing some things and coming out and getting them in the second half. Sometimes when it rains, it pours. It didn’t go that way.”
Quinn Stars for the Explorers
Quinn, the Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week, scored a career-high 23 points, the most points scored by a La Salle player this season. She connected on 8 of 17 attempts and drained 6 of 7 free throws. She also led the team in rebounds with 6 and in assists handing out three.
“Credit to her,” MacGillivray said about his first year player. “She just plays without fear. She’s got a great motor and keeps going. She double-doubled last game, 23 today. She is playing her best basketball now. Sometimes it goes the other way with freshman. I’m really pleased that she continues to grow and show improvement.”
What the Numbers Say
Saint Joseph’s won the rebound battle getting 36 to 24 for La Salle. Off the offensive glass the Hawks had 9 to 5 for the Explorers which resulted in a 15 – 2 edge for SJU in second chance points.
The Hawks led from wire-to-wire for the seventh time this season. They have been victorious in the last four games. La Salle is mired in a nine-game losing streak.
Up Next
St. Joe’s (16 – 4, 7 – 2) remains in a tie for second place in the Atlantic 10 with George Mason a half game behind Richmond. The team goes on the road for a Wednesday game against Davidson who is 5 – 2 in conference.
La Salle (7 – 15,1 – 8) also travels that night going to St. Bonaventure who is also 1 – 8.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
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