Women's Basketball to Host La Salle in Bender on Saturday Afternoon

WASHINGTON – The home court advantage will be key for American University women's basketball as the Eagles look to grab their first win when they host La Salle on Saturday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. in Bender Arena. American is coming off a close loss at UMBC, while the Explorers recently edged Rider by a point to improve to 2-3.

Follow Along

Date/Time: Saturday, Nov. 23; 2 p.m.
Site: Washington, D.C. (Bender Arena)
TV: ESPN+
Game Notes

New Hospitality Offerings and Enhanced Fan Experience

American has debuted a new hospitality area for all fans, as well as revamped premium courtside seating as part of an upgrade to the fan experience in Bender Arena on game days.
The Perch is a new game day hospitality area offering beer, wine and seltzers for purchase. In addition to our concessions menu from Gregorio's Trattoria, fans can now enjoy select beverages and snacks just steps from the baseline in Bender Arena. Fans must be 21+ years old to enter.
Additionally, Bender Arena's courtside seats have been moved closer to the action, with additional seating now available in the end zone baseline area for fans to experience all the action - up close and personal.

Quick Hits

American is still looking for its first win of the season after starting 0-4, including close losses against FDU at home and at UMBC. Most recently, the Eagles closed on a 16-3 run at UMBC on Nov. 20, but came up short of coming all the way back against the Retrievers. Freshman Cecilia Kay hit 4-of-7 shots from the field and 5-of-6 from the free throw line to lead the Eagles with 15 points.
Kay is also the season leader in scoring with 12.0 points per game, and is AU's leader on the glass with 8.5 rebounds per game. She was named the Patriot League's Rookie of the Week on Nov. 11 after posting a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds against FDU on Nov. 8.
Last year, the Eagles had an 8-10 conference record with some big wins in the regular season, including a win over eventual Patriot League champions Holy Cross and a double-overtime win against PL No. 3 Boston University.
American returned six student-athletes from a season ago, including two-time All-Patriot League Defensive Team selection, graduate student Ivy Bales. The team also retained point guard Laura Nogues and winger Bailey Garbee who contributed significantly both offensively and defensively.
Bales is joined by two juniors, Nogues and Anna Rescifina as team captains. Voted on by the team and coaches, the three student-athletes showcase the drive and resiliency this team needs to succeed. Bales led the team in rebounds (5.1 rpg), steals (60), and blocks (11) last season, and was second on the team in scoring (8.9 ppg) and field goal percentage (.451). Along with Nogues and Rescifina, the trio accumulated over 400 points.

Scouting La Salle

The Explorers are 2-3 this season so far and coming off a 55-54 home win over Rider. Redshirt sophomore Ashleigh Connor hit two free throws late to tie the game and take the lead. Connor led La Salle with 20 points.
Prior to the win over Rider, La Salle suffered a 76-47 road loss at Virginia. Freshman Joan Quinn scored a career high of 16 points to lead the Explorers, while sophomore Aryss Macktoon also broke into the double digits with 13.
Redshirt sophomore Ashleigh Connor set a career high in rebounds with 11 total, seven defensive and four offensive.
Connor leads the team with 11.4 points per game this season, followed by freshman Joan Quinn with 9.0 points per game.
Leading in rebounds this season is graduate student Jolene Armendariz with 30 (21 defensive and 9 offensive). She grabbed seven of those in the game against Virginia.

Series History

This is the 11th matchup between the Eagles and the Explorers.
In their most recent matchup, in Philadelphia, Pa., the Eagles fell short in their first road contest with a score of 53-62. Two Eagles, forwards Emily Johns and Lauren Stack, scored double digit points, with Johns scoring 22 and Stack scoring 16. Anna LeMaster, Ivy Bales, and Stack all finished the game with seven rebounds.
The Explorers were led by Nicole Melious, the only player on La Salle to score double digits with 22 points. Gabby Turco led the Explorers on the glass with 10 rebounds.
The majority of the point-scorers for both teams are no longer on their respective rosters.