STEUBENVILLE, Oh. - La Roche women's basketball earned their eighth straight win Wednesday evening after taking down Franciscan on the road, 57-47. After scoring just four points in the first quarter while shooting 2 of 14 (14%) from the field, the Redhawks managed to turn their offense around and shot 42% from the floor over the next three quarters. LRU has won 14 straight regular season conference games dating back to last season. At 9-0 in AMCC action this season, La Roche remains the only undefeated team in the conference.
Dasja Anderson led the way for La Roche by scoring a career-high 24 points while adding three rebounds, three assists and one steal to the stat sheet. Tonight's game is the second time this season Anderson has scored 20 or more points. Anderson was fouled heavily tonight but made the most of her opportunities at the line, knocking down 8 of 9 free throw attempts.
Jenna Cole nearly recorded her first double-double of the season posting 14 points and 9 rebounds. Cole shot just 1 of 7 from the field in the first half but turned things around and drained 4 of 5 field goal attempts in the second.
Cole and Anderson accounted for 67% of La Roche's points.
Final: La Roche: 57, Francsican: 47
Records: La Roche (9-4, AMCC: 9-0), Franciscan (5-8, AMCC: 4-4)
How it Happened
La Roche scored a season-low four first quarter points shooting just 2 of 14 (14%) from the field. Luckily for the Redhawks, Franciscan also shot poorly in the first, knocking down just 3 of 12 (25%) shots from the field. The Barons would lead 7-4 after 10 minutes of action.
The Redhawks opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run to regain the lead. La Roche's offense improved tremendously in the second, as they shot 6 of 17 (35%) from the field and outscored the Barons 16-12. Dasja Anderson scored seven of her team-high nine first half points in the second quarter, knocking down two free throws at the end of the half to put La Roche up 20-19.
LRU's offense caught their stride in the third quarter, as the Redhawks scored 19 points while shooting 9 of 20 (45%) from the field. The Redhawks held Franciscan to just 11 points and 4 of 14 (29%) from the floor. La Roche led 39-30 with 10 minutes to play.
The Barons opened up the fourth quarter with back-to-back buckets to make it a two possession game. The Redhawks answered with a 10-4 run capped off by a Nia Thomas jumper to go up 49-38 with 3:56 to play. The black and red fended of Franciscan for the remainder of the contest and would go on to win by double-digits.
Inside the Box Score
La Roche forced Franciscan to commit 25 turnovers and scored 16 points off those giveaways.
Nia Thomas was the only Redhawk to score off the bench for La Roche, recording four points, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks in 18 minutes of action.
Shaundrea Butler dished out a game-high four assists.
The Redhawks shot just 2 of 11 (18%) from three-point range, their second lowest three-point total in a game this season. The Barons were 0 of 7 from deep, the first time this season the Barons have been unable to knock down a triple.
LRU shot 11 of 15 (73%) from the free throw line.
Three Barons finished in double-digits figures led by Ciara McClay who scored 12 points.
NEXT UP: Women's basketball faces Hilbert College this Saturday, January 15th at the Kerr Fitness Center. Tip-off is set for approximately 4:15 p.m. following the conclusion of the La Roche Athletics Hall of Fame induction ceremony. La Roche fans are encouraged to attend the ceremony which will begin at approximately 3:45 p.m. following the conclusion of the men's game.