For Immediate Release: November 29, 2006
Contact: Joshua J. Darling (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

Undefeated La Salle beats Binghamton women's basketball 56-49

Box Score

PHILADELPHIA, Pa.-Senior forward Crista Ricketts posted a game-high 18 points, leading La Salle (6-0) to a 56-49 win over Binghamton (2-4) in a non-conference women's basketball game on Wednesday night at Tom Gola Arena. The host Explorers are the second straight unbeaten team the Bearcats have faced.

Trailing 11-9 early in the first half, La Salle rallied for 12 consecutive points over the next 4:45 to take a commanding 21-11 lead. Freshman forward Morgan Robertson posted seven of her nine points during the run and the Explorers added another eleven before the break to take a 32-20 lead into the half.

In the second half the Bearcats would close to within 48-43 when junior forward Brianna Thompson (Chehalis, Wash.) netted a three-pointer with 7:57 to play but would get no closer as La Salle pulled away for the seven-point victory.

"I thought we played very well on the defensive end and that kept us in the game" said Binghamton head coach Rich Conover. "We stayed with them the entire game but just couldn't get a sustained run on the offensive end. We played a very good team tonight".

In addition to her 18 points, Ricketts also grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds for the Explorers. Junior forward Carlene Hightower added nine points and nine rebounds.

For the Bearcats, junior guard Laura Sario (Espoo, Finland) scored in double-figures for the third straight game, posting 15 points and five rebounds, while sophomore forward Erin Owens (Coopersburg, Pa.) chipped in with a career-high seven points on three-of-four shooting, including here first career three-pointer. Sophomore forward Laura Franceski (Moscow, Pa.) added a season-high four blocks and senior guard Shea Kenny (Miller Place, N.Y.) dished out four assists.

Binghamton heads to Canisius for a 2 p.m. game on Saturday.