A strong first half proved to be the difference as La Salle topped the St. Bonaventure women's basketball team, 86-66, tonight at Tom Gola Arena.
Shooting and rebounding where the key attributes in the 47-28 Explorer lead at the break. La Salle connected on 65 percent (15-23) from the field, including 6-of-9 from long range, while outrebounding the Bonnies 19-10.
The Explorers scored the first 15 points of the game, making 6 of their first 8 shots. By contrast, the Bonnies missed their first nine attempts over the opening 4:50.
St. Bonaventure cut the lead to nine points when sophomore Priscilla Edwards converted the traditional three-point play to cap a 6-0 Bona run to make the score 15-6.
The Bonnies wouldn't come any closer in the opening stanza as the Explorers went on to outscore the St. Bonaventure 32-22 over the final 12:30.
The brown and white showed signs of life early as they began the second half on a 7-2 spurt over the first two minutes. During the run, the Bonnies received buckets from freshman Katelyn Murray, Edwards and a three-pointer from junior Audrey Latendresse to make the score 49-35.
Despite the St. Bonaventure rally, La Salle remained red hot from the field en route to an easy win. The Explorers finished with a 56 percent clip (28-50) from the field and knocked down a season-high 11-of-17 from beyond the arc. The Bonnies posted a 47 percent (16-34) shooting percentage in the second half and finished at 42 percent (27-65) for the game.
Two Bona players reached double figures led by Edwards' 14 points. Playing in her first collegiate game in her hometown, Philadelphia native Ashley Edwards finished with 11 points, seven rebounds and five assists. Sophomore Maripier Malo and Latendresse chipped in with eight points apiece.
All five La Salle starters finished in double digits, headed by 16 points from Carlene Hightower.
With the loss, St. Bonaventure slips to 7-8 overall and 1-3 in the Atlantic 10. La Salle improves to 6-8 and 3-1 in conference play.
St. Bonaventure will stay in the city of "brotherly love" when it take on the nationally ranked Temple Owls on Sunday afternoon. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m. at the Liacouras Center.
