GW Can't Complete Comeback in 62-55 Defeat Against La Salle

Saturday, February 26

Washington, DC

2 PM

George Washington University

11-17,4-11Atlantic 10

La Salle

16-11,9-6Atlantic 10

La Salle

George Washington

GW women's basketball honors Kyara Frames, Maddie Loder, and Sierra Bell on Senior Day

2/26/2022 5:31:00 PM | Women's Basketball

Box Score Photo Gallery

Maxine Engel leads all GW scorers with 15 points

WASHINGTON- In the final three quarters of play on Saturday afternoon at the Charles E. Smith Center in Washington, DC, the George Washington women's basketball team outscored the visiting La Salle Explorers, 48-46. Alas, the game of basketball has four quarters. GW was undone by a 16-7 edge by the visitors in the first - after La Salle sprinted out to a 12-0 lead - and while the home club fought back to tie the contest at 39 and again at 54 in the second half, the Buff and Blue couldn't claw ahead in an eventual 62-55 defeat to close the regular season.

First-year walk-on Maxine Engel exploded for 15 first half points on the strength of three made three-pointers in the opening 20 minutes, and GW went into the lockerroom at halftime down just four (33-29), but the Explorers were able to hold Engel off the scoreboard in the second half, and despite having numerous chances in the final period to make a move, the home side's challenges from the floor in the final period resulted in a 4-of-20 (.200) shooting clip in the fourth in the seven-point setback.

Shelanie Laureano double-doubled with 11 points and 10 rebounds, and Taylor Webster found her way to double digits with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting, but the team's 17 turnovers proved to be too much to overcome despite a sizeable rebounding advantage (41-32) and edge on the offensive glass (18-10). Foul trouble was also a factor as GW sent La Salle to the line 33 times where it cashed in on 21 tries.

Kayla Spruill led the way for the Philly school with a game-high 18 points.

Before Saturday's game, GW honored Kyara Frames, Maddie Loder, and Sierra Bell in a Senior Day presentation. The three Colonials were joined at half-court by their families, and honored for their contributions to the program.

GW now resets and enters the 14-team field at the 2022 Atlantic 10 Championship in Wilmington, Delaware on Wednesday. The Buff and Blue's first game in the tournament with the A-10's automatic bid to March Madness at stake will come at either 1:30 or 4pm live on ESPN+. The full bracket will be unveiled later Saturday night.