FLYERS MAKE SECOND TRIP TO PHILLY THIS SEASON; THIS TIME TO TAKE ON LA SALLE
The University of Dayton women’s basketball team (16-6, 8-2 A-10) makes its second of three trips to Philadelphia this season to take on La Salle (12-13, 6-4 A-10) this Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at Tom Gola Arena. UD picked up a 65-51 win over Saint Joseph’s on its first trip to Philly on Jan. 10. The Flyers recently had a six-game winning streak snapped by No. 25 St. Bonaventure, a 56-55 setback at UD Arena Saturday. The La Salle Explorers have won three of their last four games. The Flyers will return to Philadelphia for a third time this season for the Atlantic 10 Women’s Basketball Championship to be played at Saint Joseph’s Hagan Arena March 2-5. The Flyers, currently third in the A-10 standings, are in the hunt for a first-round bye, awarded to the top four teams.
FLYER FACTS
Senior Justine Raterman leads Dayton in scoring (13.5 ppg - 8th in A-10) and rebounding (6.5 rpg). Senior Patrice Lalor leads UD in assists with 95 (3rd in A-10), senior Elle Queen leads in steals with 42 (2.1 spg – 4th in A-10) and senior Casey Nance leads in blocks with 32 (1.5 bpg – 6th in A-10). The Flyers are first in the A-10 in scoring offense (71.4 ppg). They also have a +4.0 rebounding margin over opponents, winning the battle of the boards in 15 of their 22 games played.
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS
La Salle is led by Brittany Wilson who puts up team highs in points,13.8 ppg (6th in A-10), steals 1.8 (T-7th in A-10) and assists 62. Alexis Scott adds 13.0 ppg. Ruvanna Campbell leads the Explorers in rebounds (8.1 rpg - 6th in A-10) and blocked shots (1.6 bpg - T-4th in A-10).
SERIES STUFF
La Salle leads the all-time series 15-14 over the Flyers, however UD has won the last six meetings. Dayton captured an 85-51 victory over the Explorers on Jan. 26, 2011 at UD Arena. Four Flyers scored in double figures and Olivia Applewhite got her first career double-double (12 pt., 13 reb.) in that game. Justine Raterman tacked on 11 points and six assists. The last time the two teams met at Tom Gola Arena on Feb. 27, 2010, the Flyers won 62-46. Raterman had 21 points and a career-high four steals for Dayton. UD is 6-8 all-time playing La Salle in Philadelphia.
UP NEXT
Dayton will return to UD Arena for a two-game homestand vs. Saint Louis (Sat., Feb. 18 at 2 p.m. - Senior Day) and a rematch with Xavier (Wed., Feb. 22 at 7 p.m.).
PLAY 4KAY
The Flyers will be wearing pink uniforms in three games this season to promote breast cancer research. Dayton unveiled the uniforms against St. Bonaventure. UD will also don the jerseys at La Salle on Feb. 15 and at UD Arena vs. Saint Louis on Feb. 18. An auction for the jerseys and shorts will be held on Feb. 18. The mission of the initiative, which was brought to life in 2007: a nation of coaches raising breast cancer awareness on the court, across campuses, in communities and beyond. The Kay Yow Cancer Fund is the official charity of the initiative.
LAST TIME OUT
The Flyers dropped a nailbiter to No. 25 St. Bonaventure, 56-55, on Feb. 11 at UD Arena. UD’s lead grew as large as 15 before SBU clawed back to within one at the half 29-28. The lead changed seven times between the two teams in the second half, as St. Bonaventure pulled ahead on Megan Van Tatenhove’s field goal with 23 seconds left. The Bonnies never led by more than one. Cassie Sant led the Flyers with 12 points and Justine Raterman recorded her 22nd career double-double with 11 points and a team-leading 12 rebounds.
MATH DAY MADNESS
Five Flyers scored in double figures Wednesday morning in their Math Day game in which the University of Dayton women’s basketball team defeated Charlotte 91-68 at UD Arena in front of 6,788 fans made up mostly of area school children. The 91 points was the Flyers’ third highest total this season. Justine Raterman and Andrea Hoover scored 18 points, and Sam MacKay put up a career-high 16 points. Patrice Lalor and Ally Malott each added 10 points. Dayton outboarded Charlotte, the Atlantic 10 leader in rebounding, 42-39. Elle Queen and Olivia Applewhite paced UD with six boards each.
VOTE FOR JUSTINE
Dayton’s Justine Raterman is a Lowe’s Senior CLASS Top 10 finalist. Your vote can make the difference! Fan balloting counts for one third of the total vote, with the remaining two thirds determined by NCAA Division I coaches and national media members. You can vote daily at seniorclassaward.com/vote/ and Facebook: facebook.com/LowesSeniorCLASSAward.
