Collegian Editor
With the daunting task of hosting Atlantic 10 conference leader St. Bonaventure Bonnies (19-2, 6-0 A-10), the women’s basketball team was in search of a notable victory after dropping their last two conference games. In addition to riding the second-longest winning streak in program history at eight games, the Bonnies were sitting just outside the top-25 in the Associated Press Poll. Furthermore, St. Bona’s Jessica Jenkins came into this week’s A-10 showdown as the reigning National Player of the Week.
With all these accolades, it’s pretty safe to say that the Explorers would have an onerous task on their hands in the nationally televised contest.
Despite her sensational performances in their past two losing efforts, freshman Jada Payne’s team-high scoring for the third straight game would be recorded in a loss once again.
The No. 27 team in the country proved to the Blue and Gold why they’ve only lost two games all year in the 75-57 routing. Leading the decisive victory for St. Bona was the senior Jenkins with 28 points on 8-for-13 shooting from beyond the arc. Her blistering performance against the Explorer’s defense propelled St. Bonaventure to remain as the only unbeaten team in A-10 play.
In the early midst of the first half, there was fluid ball movement by both squads as baskets were traded back and forth. But as the time winded down in first period, the Bonnies started to dominate the Explorers in every aspect of the game. Being scorched by a slew of three-pointers didn’t benefit La Salle either, which led to them trailing 43-27 at the half.
Though a gallant attempt was made to cut the deficit, the gap was unbridgeable for La Salle as Bonaventure just continued their offensive frenzy in the second half. As Bonaventure Coach Jim Crowley signaled for the reserves with 10 minutes left, it was clear his team had this conference game wrapped up.
The anecdote for success in this contest for St. Bona seemed to be from behind the arc as they went 9-of-24 compared to limited 2-of-7 for La Salle. Although ranked third 3FGM and 3FG percent, the Blue and Gold had troubles in this match defending from long distance.
Payne, the reigning A-10 Rookie of the Week, led the box score total with 11 points while senior Nadia Duncan and junior Alexis Scott added 10 apiece.
When asked about their team chemistry, the stellar freshman defender, Ruvanna Campbell agreed about their progress. “Our chemistry has evolved from the beginning of the year to now because most of the team was a bunch of freshman,” Campbell avowed. “We are finally figuring out what it really takes to win and starting to communicate and trust each other more.”
With the acquisition of six new first-year players in his rotation along with redshirt junior Brittany Wilson, Williams will continue to hunt for a core starting lineup.
Despite the disappointing loss at home against the nationally-ranked Bonnies, the Explorers responded in positive fashion, recording a win against Fordham in their next matchup played on Wednesday afternoon.
The game was tight from start to finish. The difference in the contest ended up being a pair of go-ahead free throws knocked down by sophomore guard Michae Bryant with 2.7 seconds left in regulation. The Explorers ended up winning the game with a final score of 56-55.
Senior Nadia Duncan led the youthful cast scoring 15 points in addition to seven rebounds off the bench for the Blue and Gold.
The maxim of crawling before walking is the best fitting description for this young, resilient team. Already ahead of their preseason prediction of finishing tenth overall out of the 14-team conference, Williams and the Explorers are bound to enter their second straight tournament appearance if they keep up their current dauntlessness.
“We control our own destiny,” stated Duncan, one of the few experienced players the team has. “We have the ability and we are the only ones stopping ourselves.”
waltersj1@student.lasalle.edu
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