Second Quarter Costly for the Explorers in the 72 – 53 Loss
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 2/5/2025 –
The La Salle Explorers faced a tough task hosting the league leading Richmond Spiders. La Salle played with determination wanting to show they can play with the top team in the Atlantic 10. But Richmond had the answers on defense and inside on offense to get their ninth consecutive win 72 – 53 at the John E. Glaser Arena. Broomall resident and Cardinal O’Hara graduate Maggie Doogan scored a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Spiders to record her third double-double of the season.
“You can obviously see why that’s the best team in the league,” said La Salle Coach Mountain MacGillivray. “They got positional size everywhere, shooters everywhere. They are really well connected, and have a variety of ways they can beat you. And they’re old, mature.”
For the Explorers Jolene Armendariz lead the way scoring 15 points, a season-high, via 5 made three-point field goals, another season best.
The Turning Point Second Quarter
La Salle trailed by 21 – 18 after the opening ten minutes, but would only score 4 points in the ensuing ten minutes. Turnovers were a culprit as the hosts would turn it over 10 times in the second quarter. A 13 – 0 run by the Spiders would result in a 34 – 20 lead, and the Explorers could not recover.
Richmond did not use a press, but double teams on defense that did have La Salle play at a quicker pace on offense. Too quick. The result yielded a quarter where the Explorers made 2 of 9 shots.
“They trapped to get us to not hold the ball and then we played flustered,” MacGillivray said. “We could have been calmer, and we could have spaced, rotated, and pass the ball a little bit better, but we’re not there yet. I felt we sped ourselves up.”
La Salle Improves the Shooting in the Second Half
At halftime the team wanted to show they could play better than they did in the second quarter. They did not win the quarters, but played more competitive basketball. La Salle moved the ball and took shots making 13 of 32 lead by Armendariz. Joan Quinn scored a total of 12 points, and Ayisse Magassa added 10 points in the game. The importance is that the team would fight back, kept the ball moving, and played better offense. It is a sign of growth.
“It was nice to see Jolene(Armendariz) have a big night knocking them down,” MacGillivray said. “We know she is capable of that. We made some nice individual plays. It’s not enough, but it’s growth.”
Inside Game for Richmond
The Spiders made 31 baskets from inside the arc. They would make only 1 of 16 shots from distance. In addition to Doogan who made 11 of 16 shots, Rachel Ullstrom added 20 points draining 8 of 12 field goal attempts. Forward Addie Budnick was good on 5 of 7 shots contributing 11 points.
“You’ve got to decide how you are going to lose to them,” said MacGillivray. “Let them get a lot of open shots, they’re going to bury them. If you take away the three-point line they’re going to go forward and lay the ball in. They are not the fastest and most explosive team, but they finish incredibly well around the basket.”
Experience Factor for the Spiders
Richmond has 2 juniors and a senior and graduate student on their starting five. The team has experience which is tough for La Salle to match. It is a major part of the reason why the Spiders are successful and continue to lead the league.
“Experience is a factor,” said MacGillivray. “It’s the teams that have the most seniors that ends up making the deep run. Teams that have kids who have been in their system, they’re really tough to beat. That’s why St. Joe’s and Richmond and Mason are all really difficult tasks defensively.”
Up Next
Richmond (19 – 5, 10 – 1) will seek their 10th consecutive win going to Duquesne on Sunday. The Spiders have not lost a conference game since dropping the A10 opener at Fordham.
La Salle (8 – 17, 2 – 10) will try to continue to grow with a road game at Saint Louis on Saturday.
Written By: Glenn Papazian
Contact: Glenn@PhillyCollegeSports.com
Be the first to comment