Feb. 27, 2008

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA - Behind a career-high 10 points and game-high six assists from junior guard Mary Kate McDade and 18 points and four assists off the bench from senior guard Timisha Gomez, the Saint Joseph's women's basketball team topped La Salle, 70-52, Wednesday night in each squad's Big 5 finale at Tom Gola Arena.

The Hawks (15-13, 7-6 Atlantic 10, 2-2 Big 5) held a 36-34 early into second-half play, but behind a 15-4 run, they opened up a 51-38 advantage as McDade capped it with a three pointer with 7:44 on the clock. Saint Joseph's held La Salle to just 1-of-4 from the field and three turnovers during that stretch, while sophomore forward Brittany Ford scored eight of her 16 points over that time.

The Explorers (12-16, 4-9 A-10, 1-3 Big 5) answered, cutting the deficit to seven, 51-44, on a three pointer by Jamie Walsh with 5:50 remaining.

However, Saint Joseph's answered right back, scoring eight straight points over the next 2:45, with Loschiavo putting SJU up 59-44 at the 3:05 mark. The Hawks then iced the game in the final minutes, going 6-of-6 from the foul line, and adding a three pointer and a layup.

In the first half, The Hawks gained control early on, scoring the first seven points and opened up a 14-3 advantage on a pair of free throws by junior guard Jenna Loschiavo at 10:57.

Trailing 16-8, the Explorers mounted a 13-3 run - spanning 4:52 - to take its first lead at 21-19 on a three pointer by Margaret Elderton at 3:29.

Down 23-19, Saint Joseph's finished the half on a 7-0 spurt, taking a 28-23 advantage into the half as Loschiavo and Gomez paced SJU with seven points apiece.

For the game, the Hawks finished 24-of-54 from the field (44.4 percent), including 50 percent in the second half (14-of-28), Saint Joseph's went 15-of-16 from the foul line (93.8 percent) and 7-of-15 from three-point range (46.7 percent), while La Salle finished 20-of-52 from the field (38.5 percent) and just 8-of-16 from the foul line.

Individually, Gomez led four Hawks in double figure with 18 points, while Ford added 16, Loschiavo 12 and McDade 10. Freshman center Sarah Acker posted a game-high 12 rebounds as Saint Joseph's outrebounded La Salle 40-28.

At the other end, Carlene Hightower paced the Explorers with 21 points, while Elderton and Melanie Gibbons added 11 and 10, respectively.

The Hawks cap their regular season Saturday at 2 p.m. at home versus Rhode Island.