Feb. 25, 2005

PHILADELPHIA - After a two-month hiatus, the Saint Joseph's Hawks return to Big 5 action when it travels to city rival La Salle for a Friday evening clash. The Hawks, who are going for their first Big 5 victory of the season, enter the contest tied for fifth in the Atlantic 10 East with two games remaining. A victory, combined with a St. Bonaventure loss, would give Saint Joseph's a tied for third with Fordham and Rhode Island heading into Sunday's season finale.

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SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS
With only two games remaining, La Salle finds itself in a tie for fourth place in the Atlantic 10 West with Dayton at 5-9. A win in either of their final two contests, coupled with a Flyers loss, would clinch fourth place for the Explorers based on tie-breaker rules. Offensively, sophomore Christa Rickets leads La Salle. The 2004 A-10 Rookie of the Year, Rickets is averaging a team-best 15.4 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Senior Jill Marano, one of the best three-point shooters in the league (.458), is second on the squad in scoring at 11.7 ppg. Junior guard Davineia Payne is also averaging double figures for the Explorers at 11.1 ppg. Seniors Monica Garrido-Sanz and Meghan Wilkinson will likely round out the starting lineup as the Explorers honor their three upperclassmen with a senior-night presentation prior to the tip.

THE SERIES
The Hawks and Explorers will meet for the 34th time, as the two Big 5 rivals meet Friday at Tom Gola Arena. Saint Joseph's, which holds a 26-7 all-time edge in the series, has won the previous six contests versus La Salle. The Hawks have posted a 14-3 record at La Salle, with the Explorers last home victory over Saint Joseph's coming on February 12, 1996 (67-66).

LAST MEETING: GRAFF HELPS HAWKS PAST LA SALLE, 68-52
Senior Stephanie Graff led the way for Saint Joseph's, coming up just short of a double-double with 24 points and nine rebounds, and classmate Irina Krasnoshiok scored her 1,000th career point as the Hawks dropped La Salle, 68-52, in Atlantic 10 and Big 5 play. Saint Joseph's won its sixth straight game and remained perfect in the A-10 at 6-0, tying the best start in league play since 1999-00.