Aidan Tyksinski, Editor 

January did not end well for La Salle’s basketball teams, and both the men and women were hoping a new month would bring a new beginning. As we approach the middle of February, that hope has turned to dread, as the teams have combined for a 0-6 record for the month. Not all of the losses have been bad, and there were some very exciting moments. But on the whole, there has not been a lot to cheer for at 20^th and Olney.

La Salle Men’s Basketball

The Explorers started the month with a brutal loss to Big 5 and Atlantic 10 rival Saint Josephs, 88-82. The game started well for the Explorers, with the team hitting five consecutive three-pointers to start the game. All of the starters outside of Daeshon Shepard contributed to the scorching start, with guards Anwar Gill and Andres Marrero coming off the bench to add to the points sheet as well. There were several points where the Hawks looked finished, but guard Erik Reynolds II, who finished the game with 21 points, helped cut La Salle’s lead to 44-38 going into halftime. Coming out of the half, La Salle was able to get the lead up to 10 points with major contributions coming from Gill, Khalil Brantley, and Rokas Jocius. With 10:45 left in the game, the tide began to turn. The Hawks decided to go with a full-court press, and La Salle coach Fran Dunphy was out-coached at the worst possible time. St. Joes went on a 7-0 run while pressing, causing many La Salle turnovers that led to points. Although the Explorers did get the lead back up to eight, St. Joes had clear control of the game and was able to get the win. The Explorers have since lost two blowout games, including a 102-84 shellacking to St. Louis. La Salle now sits at 2-9 in conference play, tied with the Billikens for last in the conference. 

La Salle Women’s Basketball

The women’s team had a crushing 73-39 loss to Loyola Chicago, sandwiched in between two close losses to Dayton and Duquesne. The most heartbreaking loss came against Dayton, a 72-69 loss in overtime. La Salle started cold, with the team going 0-4 from three to start the game. The Explorers were able to break the cold streak thanks to a layup by Tiara Bolden, cutting Dayton’s lead 5-2. The Explorers were able to end the first quarter only down by two, shooting a combined 26.27% from the field. The Explorers went on a run in the second quarter thanks to Molly Masciantonio, who scored seven of the Explorer’s 18 points in the frame to give them a 29-22 advantage over the Flyers going into the half. La Salle did a good job controlling the game in the third quarter, but all their effort came undone in the fourth. Dayton tied the game early in the quarter, and the Explorers missed several late free throws that would have helped their cause. After the Flyers got a late lead, Makayla Miller was able to force overtime with a jump shot with only three seconds left. The extra frame went back and forth, but the Flyers got the lead with 1:13 remaining, never to give it up the rest of the game. The three losses have dropped La Salle to 4-8 in Atlantic 10 play, good for 10^th in the conference.