Nov. 26, 2006
Box Score
STATEN ISLAND, NY - Led by 18 points and 11 rebounds apiece from Carlene Hightower and Crista Ricketts the La Salle Explorers defeated Wagner 74-53 earlier today at the Spiro Sports Center. The Explorers, who outscored Wagner 42-18 in the pivotal second stanza, improve to a perfect 5-0 on the season while the Seahawks fall to 1-3.
The Seahawks led at the break 35-32 following a stellar first period in which Wagner hit on 48.4 percent (15-31) of their shots while using their press to force La Salle into 15 turnovers. Down 7-4, the Seahawks ripped off a 10-0 run to take their largest lead of the game at 14-7. The Green & White showcased their versatility during the run using a three-pointer from junior Chelsey Bunyer (Shannon, IL / Eastland), a three-point play and a lay-up from freshman John'a Poole (Middle River, NY / Eastern Tech) and a jumper from classmate Andrea Reed (Pocomoke City, MD / Pocomoke).
La Salle then countered with a 23-12 run of their own to go up 30-26 with 2:28 remaining in the half. Wagner would respond by outscoring the Explorers 9-2 to end the half with a 35-32 lead. The spurt was highlighted by an Ieva Sulskyte (Jr., Vinius, Lithuania / Daytona Beach C.C.) jumper with time expiring in the half.
After Reed opened the second half up with a jumper, it was all La Salle as they seized the Wagner momentum with a back-breaking 13-0 run to go up by the insurmountable margin of 45-37 with 15:55 remaining. The Seahawks never really threatened again before falling 74-53.
In the second period, La Salle shot a scintillating 57.8 percent (19-33), including 57.1 percent (4-7) from behind the arc, while limiting Wagner to just 22.2 percent (8-36) shooting.
Poole led Wagner with 14 points, on 6-16 shooting, to go along with three steals. Sophomore Olivia Nagle (Acton, MA / Acton Boxborough) was the only other double-digit scorer for Wagner with 10 points. Senior Takesha Dye (Boynton Beach, FL / Daytona Beach CC) continued her dominance on the boards with a game-high 12 rebounds and Reed had a game-high eight assists to round out the top performers for the Green & White.
For the game, Wagner shot a season-low 34.3 percent (23-67) from the field while La Salle hit on an even 50.0 percent (30-60) of their shots. The Explorers also controlled the glass outrebounding Wagner 45-31.
The Green & White will look to enact revenge on the Atlantic 10 when they travel to UMASS to face the Minutewomen on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 7:00 pm.
