City of Basketball Love

Jared Leveson (@jared_leveson)
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Last game of the new year, last Big 5 game of the year, and first A-10 conference game for La Salle and Saint Joseph’s as both teams came to Tom Gola Arena on New Year Eve looking to bounce back and start their conference schedule on the right foot. 

Cindy Griffin’s St. Joe’s squad defeated Mountain MacGillivray’s Explorers 68-64 because of Katie Jekot’s return from injury, Talya Brugler’s 20-point performance, and active hands on the defensive end. La Salle extended their losing streak to three games and gave the Hawks a 1-0 record in Atlantic 10 play and secured them second place in the Big 5 standings. 

“Very proud of the way we battled back after a tough start,” Griffin said. “I thought we got our composure midway through that first quarter. We started to get our confidence and we started to roll.

“I am proud of these guys.” 

La Salle (8-7, 0-1) led by as much as eleven points in the first half, but St. Joe’s (11-2, 1-0) stout defense and excellent offense gave the Hawks a 35-34 advantage at the halftime break and Griffin’s team handled business down the stretch and never lost the lead again. 

“Our real goal was to come out competing at a much higher level than we’ve competed at physically, rebounding, loose balls, toughness,” MacGillivray said. “I'm disappointed that we lost but I'm not disappointed with how we played.”

A big reason why La Salle struggled to regain the lead were turnovers that hindered their strong night shooting and rebounding. La Salle shot 44% from the field and collected 38 rebounds (11 offensive and 27 defensive). However, the Explorers turned the ball over 21 times and St. Joe’s converted those turnovers into 17 points. 

“The performance they had out there tonight, out rebounding a team who doesn't get out rebounded very often and by as much as we did, playing tight in the game without Molly and finding a way to execute offensively, I’m really pleased with the effort.

“I don't think anybody thinks that we shoot 44% and out rebound them by fifteen and lose a basketball game, like that is just not something that we would do, but we did. We found a new way to lose.” 

St. Joe’s stayed disciplined on the defensive end and anticipated La Salle’s offensive movements well which allowed them to force turnovers so effectively. Their defense was the difference in the game as they stopped La Salle on two straight offensive possessions when leading 61-60 with under two minutes to play. 

“Once we started to settle in with our defense and our assignments we got some really good deflections and we got some great starts (offensively) down the other end,” Griffin said. 

“Being disciplined and trying to anticipate the moves that they are going to make. We just held true to our principles and it worked in our favor today.” 

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Mia Jacobs Performs in First Career Start

Mia Jacobs, the younger sister to teammates and twins Claire and Amy Jacobs got her first career start against Big 5 and conference rival La Salle. The 6-foot-2 forward played a career high 31 minutes and had a 14 point, 10 rebound double-double. 

Mia averaged 18 minutes per game and 10 points per game prior La Salle’s matchup with St. Joe’s and found her way into the starting lineup because of her effort on the glass during the last three days of practice. 

“I wasn’t shocked that she led us in rebounding today,” MacGillivray said about the Australian forward. “She led us in rebounding over the last few days in practice. She went out there, showed she wanted it, and had a really good day. It’s only going to get better because there’s so many things that she can clean up to be an even better day for her.” 

The freshman made plays on each end of the floor and looked comfortable in her earned starting role. 

Mia attacked the glass, pulling down critical offensive and defensive rebounds down the stretch that kept the Explorer’s in the contest and kept the ball away from Talya Brugler. On the offensive end, Mia slashed through the lane, finished around the rim, and showed an ability to knock down the three point shot. 

“It's exciting,” MacGillivray added. “She's a heckuva player and we’re looking forward to her continuing to grow.” 

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Big Minutes from Both Benches 

St. Joe’s and La Salle got strong performances from their benches tonight. Emma Boslet and Jaden Walker stepped up for St. Joe’s while Jaye Haynes had a season high scoring night for La Salle. 

Boslet, who is averaging 14 minutes per game played 27 minutes and had a career night for points and rebounds that helped St. Joe’s stave off La Salle. The Edison (N.J.) native scored 11 points and grabbed nine boards (four offensive and five defensive). 

Walker, a senior, only scored four points, but made the biggest impact on the defensive end where she tallied two steals. The New Freedom (Pa.) native’s biggest steal came when she intercepted an entry pass from Charity Shears intended for Kayla Spruill with 51 seconds left remaining in the fourth quarter and with St. Joe’s up 63-62. 

“Different players stepped up today,” Griffin said. “Boslet coming in off the bench and Jaden coming in off the bench.” 

“Jaden came in and did a really good job for us in that situation. Kayla is one of the best players in the league so we knew they were gonna go to her.”

It only took Haynes the opening half to surpass her season high point total of nine. The junior guard finished with 13 points, scoring 11 in the first half, off of 6-7 shooting. Coming off the bench, Haynes found ways to score behind the arc, around the rim, and in transition. 

“It felt good to play with the confidence that I played with today,” Haynes said. “It was really fun, and it felt like I got back to playing like myself.” 

The Germantown Academy product also added a block and steal to her stat sheet. Haynes got her swagger back after scoring only five points in La Salle’s last five games. 

“I feel really good about what Jaye Haynes did today,” MacGillivray added. 

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Jekot v. Jekot 

The Jacobs were not the only set of siblings to make an impact on today’s game. Katie and Julie Jekot both started for St. Joe’s and La Salle, respectively. 

Katie played in her first game after spraining her ankle in a win over Rider earlier in December. The Hawks went 1-2 without the older Jekot sister after starting the season 10-0. Katie was happy after contributing nine points, 11 assists, and three rebounds. 

“It was awesome,” Katie said. “It was an exciting game for me, Big 5, A10, and my little sis is on the other team.

“But it sucks sitting out. I was happy to be back on the court with my teammates.” 

Griffin was grateful that her stalwart point-guard’s ankle recovered well and that Katie was back performing at a high-level. The graduate student effectively commands the St. Joe’s offense, putting teammates like Mackenzie Smith (7 points) , Laura Ziegler (11 points), and Brugler in better scoring positions. 

“She gets the ball where it needs to go,” Griffin added. “There’s definitely just that senior point guard doing what senior point guards do and being able to play with some really good players that are able to make plays and be the recipients of those great passes is pretty special, bringing that consistency to the game. 

“Also from a defensive standpoint, Katie is one of our really good defenders. (She) is really smart, and she helps us on both ends of the floor.” 

Younger sister, Julie, made her first start of the season against St. Joe’s, playing 12 minutes and pulling down two rebounds. 

Saturday’s contest marked the third time the siblings have played against one another at the collegiate level and Katie and Julie enjoy each time they can play against one another. 

“It’s just funny,” Katie said about playing her younger sister. “We just joke around about it but we take it seriously when we’re in the game and I started on her, which is kinda crazy. 

“It's always fun for us and fun for our family too.”  

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La Salle missing point guards Masciantonio, Connolly

La Salle guard Molly Masciantonio did not play or attend Saturday afternoon’s contest because of the recent passing of her mother, Sue. La Salle asked for a moment of silence before tip-off and MacGillivray and the whole team played with Masciantonio on their mind.

“It's really hard,” MacGillivray added. “I think everyone played today with heavy hearts, but they also were playing for her. I said to the group before the game, Molly absolutely lives to do this, maybe more so than anyone on the team.

“She absolutely loves it and also losing your mom and not being able to be here is just so hard for her so i think they really had an extra emotional boost today because of that.” 

La Salle definitely missed the Archbishop Carroll product, who’s averaging four points per game, seven assists per game and rarely turns over the ball (1.4 turnovers per game). 

Missing their backup point guard, freshman Fiona Connolly didn’t help La Salle’s ball security either. Connolly did not play because of wisdom tooth surgery she had this past week. 

“You’re gonna have nicks and people out,” MacGillivray said. “You’re gonna have tragedy in your family. Stuff is going to happen and I thought we responded today and we’re looking forward to the next challenge and doing it again.” 

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