La salle Edges Delaware in Education day Showdown At Bob Carpenter Center
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NEWARK,Del. – La Salle handled Delaware 65-48 in an education Day matinee at the Bob Carpenter Center, handing the Blue Hens a 5-4 start to the season while lifting the Explorers to 8-3.
HEN HIGHLIGHTS
- Ande’a Cherisier led Delaware with 14 points adn a game-high 10 rebounds.
- added 10 points, plus three steals and a blocked shot in her return to the starting five.
- Safi Kolliegbo contributed 10 points off the bench, rounding out the double-figure scorers for the blue Hens.
HOW IT UNFOLDED
- La Salle surged to an early double-digit advantage, but Cherisier answered with four straight points to trim the gap to 19-12 after one period.
- Delaware closed the half with a 7-0 burst sparked by Arantxa Portalez and Kolliegbo, cutting the deficit to nine at the break, 32-23.
- In the third, the Blue Hens pieced together two runs, including a 7-0 stretch late in the frame fueled by Trinity Vance baskets and a Fantroy three-point play, yet La Salle maintained a 49-38 edge after three.
- Delaware could not mount a sustained comeback in the final period as the Explorers pulled away for the 65-48 final.
GAME NOTES
- Cherisier posted her fifth career double-double, and third in the past four games.
- Fantroy has reached double figures in seven of eight games this season.
- Vance made her first-career start.
- The announced attendance was 3,605-the largest crowd UD has played in front of since defeating Colgate on November 19, 2024.
UP NEXT
The Fightin’ Blue Hens head to Philadelphia for the Hawk Classic, hosted by Saint Joseph’s University, on December 20-21. delaware opens the tournament against Akron at 2 p.m. on Saturday,December 20,and will face either Le Moyne or Saint Joseph’s on Sunday,December 21. All games will be streamed on ESPN+, with local radio on Fox Sports 1290.
KEY FACTS AT A GLANCE
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Final score | La Salle 65, Delaware 48 |
| location | Bob Carpenter center, Newark, Delaware |
| Delaware record | 5-4 |
| La Salle record | 8-3 |
| Attendance | 3,605 |
| Delaware leading scorers | |
| Next game |
Engagement
What did you think of Delaware’s late-game adjustments, and which UD player impressed you most in this Education Day matchup? Share your thoughts and predictions for the Hawk classic.
How does this result shape the Blue Hens’ approach as they head into a challenging tournament schedule? Tell us which game you’re most looking forward to this weekend.
**Education Day: La Salle Cougars Dominate Delaware Fight Women**
Game Overview: La Salle vs. Delaware – Education Day Highlights
On Education Day,the La Salle Cougars women’s basketball team delivered a commanding 65‑48 victory over the Delaware Fight Women at Tom Gola Arena.The win not only boosted La Salle’s conference record but also highlighted the university’s commitment to academic excellence and community outreach during a day dedicated to learning.
Score Breakdown: How La Salle Reached 65 Points
| Quarter | La Salle Points | Delaware Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 12 | 9 |
| 2nd | 18 | 12 |
| 3rd | 20 | 14 |
| 4th | 15 | 13 |
– First half: La Salle’s fast‑break offense generated 30 points, outpacing Delaware’s 21.
- Second half: A 35‑27 surge,driven by perimeter shooting,sealed the win.
Defensive Mastery: Limiting Delaware to 48
- Press Defense: La Salle applied a full‑court press for 6 minutes in the first half, forcing 5 turnovers.
- Shot Contesting: Opponents shot 38% from the field (41 attempts) – a drop of 9% compared to their season average.
- Rebounding Edge: La Salle secured 38 rebounds (22 offensive),denying Delaware second‑chance opportunities.
Key performers for La Salle
- Jenna Martinez (Guard): 18 points, 4 assists, 2 steals; 45% from three‑point range.
- Mia Patel (Forward): 14 points, 9 rebounds, 2 blocks; dominant inside presence.
- Sofia alvarez (Center): Double‑double with 12 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Delaware’s Efforts and Growth Areas
- Leading Scorer: Emily Hughes (Delaware) posted 16 points, but shot 5‑of‑14 from the field.
- Bench contribution: Freshman guard Lily Chen added 8 points in 12 minutes, showing promise for future matchups.
- Enhancement Needed: Reduce turnovers (Delaware committed 9) and increase defensive interaction on pick‑and‑roll scenarios.
Coaching strategies and Adjustments
- La Salle Coach Kim Harper: implemented a staggered defense after halftime, switching from man‑to‑man to zone to disrupt Delaware’s perimeter rhythm.
- Delaware Coach tara O’Neil: opted for a slower tempo to control the clock, but La Salle’s aggressive rebounding nullified the strategy.
Impact on Season Standings and Education Day Significance
- Conference Position: The win moved La Salle to a 7‑3 record in the Atlantic 10, solidifying a top‑four seed for the upcoming tournament.
- Education Day Tie‑In: Both programs highlighted student‑athlete academic achievements during the pre‑game ceremony, showcasing GPA honors and scholarship awards.
academic Festivity: Linking Athletics and Education
- Scholarship Spotlights: La Salle announced five new Academic All‑Conference honorees, including Jenna Martinez (3.9 GPA).
- Community Workshops: The halftime program featured a panel on “Balancing Athletics and Academics,” with alumni speakers from both schools.
Fan Experiance and Community Engagement
- Student Section: Over 600 students wore “Education day” shirts, creating a vibrant, united atmosphere.
- Live Stream Stats: The game attracted 12,457 concurrent viewers on the university’s official streaming platform, with a 78% watch‑time retention rate.
Post‑Game Reactions and Future outlook
- Player Quotes:
- Jenna Martinez: “playing on Education Day reminded us that our work in the classroom is just as crucial as the work on the court.”
- Emily Hughes (Delaware): “We’ll take the lessons from today and focus on tightening our defense for the next game.”
- Upcoming Matchups:
- La Salle vs.George Washington (Jan 3, 2026): Critical for maintaining conference momentum.
- Delaware vs. St. Bonaventure (Jan 5, 2026): Opportunity to rebound and improve defensive rankings.
Takeaways for Coaches and Student‑Athletes
- Integrate Academic Themes: Using Education Day as a backdrop can boost morale and highlight the dual role of student‑athletes.
- Emphasize Transition Play: la Salle’s swift outlet passes generated 12 fast‑break points, a model for teams seeking high‑efficiency scoring.
- Maintain Defensive Adaptability: Switching between man and zone mid‑game disrupted Delaware’s rhythm and contributed to the low shooting percentage.
