Video: Erin Holly
By: Siobhan Nolan
PHILADELPHIA – On Wednesday evening, the Tom Gola arena was filled with La Salle University’s female sports teams, female alumni and supportive families in the bleachers. There seemed to be no better setting for a Big 5 women’s basketball matchup between La Salle and St. Joseph’s. It was Women in Sports Day, a day to honor the women who make an impact in a male-dominated field, and to say that the Explorers made an impact would be an understatement.
La Salle junior forward Gabby Crawford posted a career high 22-points, which lifted the Explorers over the Hawks in a 66-58 victory. This performance marked Crawford’s second consecutive 20 plus point game this season.
La Salle started off the game in front, with senior Kayla Spruill leading a 5-0 run through the opening two minutes with a key steal and deep three-pointer. The Hawks managed to pull back with four points of their own from freshmen Laila Fair and Mackenzie Smith, keeping it a close game.
The Hawks eventually tied the game at nine points with just under five minutes left to play in the first quarter.
La Salle vs. St. Joe's Game Highlights & Post Game Interviews with Gabby Crawford & La Salle Head Coach Mountain Macgillivray - VIdeo by Erin Holly
Back-to-back three pointers from freshman Kenya Cote-Lysius and Crawford pushed La Salle out to 15-9 lead, but St. Joe’s would once again bring themselves within a point, ending the quarter with an 18-17 score line in favor of the Hawks.
However, the second quarter was all La Salle. The Explorers managed to hold St. Joe’s to a mere four points the entire quarter while scoring 11 of their own. Crawford would shine, along with former Germantown Academy guard Jaye Haynes, as the two would combine for 10 points to end the half with the Explorers up 28-22.
The third quarter was another tale of the Explorers and Hawks going back and forth, staying within a few points of each other, eventually seeing the game tied at 40. Spruill and junior guard Claire Jacobs would cause La Salle to jump ahead with a 7-0 run to put the tally at 47-40.
St. Joe’s opened the final quarter with a 7-2 run to tie things up 49-49, but Crawford’s six points in three minutes ensured that the Explorers would hold on to their lead and end the game with a 66-58 victory.
Crawford finished the night with her career-high 22 points, with Spruill adding 21, which marked her 14th game in double-figures. This win improved the Explorers record to 12-8 overall and 3-1 in Big 5 play.
La Salle head coach Mountain MacGillivray was naturally in good spirits after the game, highlighting that this game was “one of the most important ones on the schedule” and praised both Crawford and Spruill for their “hard work and relentless attitude” on the court against a Big 5 rival.
Looking Ahead:
La Salle has back-to-back home games against VCU on Friday at 6 p.m. and again on Sunday at 2 p.m. vs. Rhode Island. The Hawks dropped to 6-13 on the season and will play on the road again vs. Davidson on Friday at Noon. St. Joe’s will return to the Hagan Arena to then play host to Davidson on Sunday at 2 p.m.