Feb. 19, 2006

TIPPING OFF
The Hawks cap the home portion of their regular-season schedule Sunday as they host the La Salle Explorers in a Big 5 matchup at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse. Both squads enter the contests coming off losses Friday, with Saint Joseph's falling at #22/23 Temple, 59-53. The Hawks will also look to avenge a 65-50 loss at La Salle on January 22. Saint Joseph's will also honor its five seniors, Maura McBryan, Christine Roth, Christen Scanlon, Faith Schutte and manager Andrew Pilecki with a pregame ceremony.

Click here for Saint Joseph's game notes.

SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS
After jumping out to 6-1 record in Atlantic 10 play, La Salle has struggled of late, going 1-5 over its last six games as the Explorers enter Sunday's game 7-6 in the conference. Led by junior forward Crista Ricketts, La Salle is averaging 62.5 ppg this year, but is only outscoring its opponents by 0.5 ppg in A-10 games. Rickets leads La Salle in scoring at 13.7 ppg, as she scored a game-high 16 points in January 22 meeting with the Hawks. Sophomore forward Carlene Hightower, who is averaging 13.3 ppg in A-10 play, is second on the team in overall scoring (11.6 ppg) and rebounds (6.7 rpg). Guard Davineia Payne (11.2 ppg), Jenna Graber (9.2 ppg) and Shaune McLaughlin (8.9 ppg) will likely round out the starting lineup for Tom Lochner's club. The trio accounted for 33 of La Salle's 65 points versus Saint Joseph's on January 22.

THE SERIES
The Hawks and Explorers meet for the second time this season and for 37th all-time. The Hawks, who hold a 27-9 edge in the series, dropped its previous game at La Salle, 65-50 on January 22. At home, Saint Joseph's has posted a 12-3 record at Hawk Hill, winning its last three contests versus La Salle at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse.