PHILADELPHIA – The Xavier women’s basketball team dropped a 63-51 decision at La Salle Saturday afternoon at Tom Gola Arena in Atlantic 10 play. Sophomore Shatyra Hawkes turned it on in the second half for the Musketeers scoring 14 of her team-high 17 in the last 20 minutes.
Xavier moves to 3-13 for the season and 0-3 in Atlantic 10 play while the Explorers improve to an even 9-9 overall and 3-0 in league action.
Junior Jessica Pachko narrowly missed a double-double with a career-high 16 points to go with nine rebounds. Senior Sabrina Johnson also posted double-digit scoring with 11 points and added seven boards.
The Musketeers out-rebounded the Explorers 41-30 and shot 86 percent from the line. From the floor, Xavier shot 38 percent to La Salle’s 37 percent.
Back-to-back long-range jumpers by Hawkes and layup by Johnson tied the game at 44 to cap an 8-0 run for the Musketeers with just under 10 minutes left in the game. The Explorers stretched the lead back out to 10, 56-46, on the strength of three unanswered 3-point baskets with 6:03 on the clock. Xavier would not be able to overcome the deficit.
Brittany Wilson dominated for the Explorers in the first half, scoring 19 of La Salle’s 31 points in the frame. Pachko had 10 points and five rebounds for the Musketeers during the first 20 minutes but was sidelined after picking up her second foul with five minutes left in the half. The Musketeers doubled up the Explorers on the boards, 24-12, but was out-shot 42% to 39%.
The Explorers were led by Wilson with a game-high 28 points as one of three players in double figures scoring. Ruvanna Campbell grabbed nine rebounds to lead La Salle on the boards.
The Musketeers return to action on Saturday, Jan. 21 with a home contest against Saint Joseph’s after getting the week off. Tip-off is set for 1:00 p.m. at Cintas Center and the game will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network.
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