Feb. 16, 2008

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PHILADELPHIA - Behind a 30-point effort from Carlene Hightower, the La Salle University Women's Basketball team cruised to an 84-67 victory over Fordham Saturday afternoon in Atlantic 10 action at Tom Gola Arena. Morgan Robertson tied a career-high with 13 points to go along with seven rebounds, as the Explorers won back-to-back games for the first time in over a month.

Hightower, who played just 21 minutes, was 11-of-14 from the field, which included knocking down a career-high six three pointers (6-8), and added four boards, two assists, and two steals. In her last three games, Hightower has hit 12 threes and has scored 80 points. This was her third career game with at least 30 points, 25th with at least 20 points, and the 10th time this season she has scored 20 or more - tying her for the conference lead.

Robertson scored the first two baskets of the game and then four straight three-point baskets - three by Hightower, one by Jamie Walsh - pushed the Explorers lead into double figures just four minutes into the game at 16-4. The Explorers held that double-digit advantage, which grew to as much as 32 in the second half, for the entire game.

Fordham (0-25, 0-10 A-10) would cut the deficit to 10 four times in the first half - twice after Takita Earl baskets, who ended with 10 points, eight boards for the Rams. Kristina Bell scored a career-high 17 with five rebounds to lead the Rams, while Annie Zopf had 11 and Megan Mahoney - the conference's leading scorer in A-10 games only (20.7 ppg) - was limited to just 10 points.

The last time Fordham was within 10 (35-25) with 5:24 left before the break, the Explorers responded with a 13-3 run to close out the half, with Hightower scoring six in the run. Then, with time expiring before the break, Ashley Gale drained a three from the top of the key to send La Salle into the locker room with a 20-point lead.

La Salle led by 19 at 56-37 just three minutes after intermission, but used a 17-4 run over the next seven minutes to put the game virtually out of reach. Hightower scored 11 straight points - her last basket her sixth three of the day - gave the Explorers a 67-37 lead with 13:08 left in the game.

Then after four points by the Rams, a 6-0 run by La Salle - a Gale basket, two made free throws by Meghan Ahl, and a Danielle Mickiewicz lay-up - pushed the lead to a game-high 32 (73-41).

Walsh finished the game with 12 points and a tied for game-high with Margaret Elderton with six assists, while Gale added 10 and Melanie Gibbons added nine. La Salle had a season-high 21 assists on 28 baskets and tied a season-high with nine threes, while also tying a season-low with just nine turnovers. The 84 points scored was their highest offensive output of the season, and most points scored in a game since an 88-76 win at Rider on December 2, 2006.

The game also featured the return to the court for Alyse Hoover, who missed the last three games with an ankle sprain. Also, Chelsea Conner, who redshirted last year and missed the first 23 games of this season, scored her first two collegiate points with a pair of free throws with 5:45 left in the game.

As a part of the "Think Pink" initiative, all ticket proceeds from today's game benefited breast cancer research through Coaches vs. Cancer. The Explorers sported pink shoelaces and adorned themselves in pink wristbands, socks and headbands. In addition, the entire La Salle coaching staff dressed in pink.

La Salle also honored former Explorer Jennifer (McGowan) Trainer (1993) at today's game. The guest coach, whose 1,047 career points rank 20th all-time in the school's history, is currently battling breast cancer.

La Salle (11-14, 3-7 A-10) tries for three straight wins, when they travel to Rhode Island Wednesday for a 7 PM game.