If you walk into the newly renovated John Glaser Arena on a Wednesday morning in Philadelphia, you’re not just seeing a basketball game. You’re seeing a resurrection. Honestly, for a while there, it felt like the La Salle Explorers women's basketball program was the best-kept secret in the Atlantic 10—and not necessarily in a good way.
The history is heavy. It's legendary. We’re talking about a program that once dominated the MAAC under John Miller, racking up NCAA tournament appearances like they were going out of style in the late '80s. But then, the transition to the A-10 happened, and things got... complicated.
Why the New John Glaser Arena Matters for the Explorers
For years, the team played in Tom Gola Arena. It was iconic, sure, named after the greatest Explorer of them all. But it had a weird quirk that basically every opposing coach loved: there were no seats behind the baskets.
Think about that.
Imagine shooting a crucial free throw and having nothing but a blank wall or a distant hallway behind the rim. John Glaser, a 1962 alum who actually used to track shooting percentages in a notebook, realized this was giving road teams a massive advantage. He basically proved that visitors shot better at La Salle because they didn't have to deal with the visual distraction of a "rowdy" student section.
So, they fixed it.
In late 2024, the school unveiled the renovated arena. They rotated the court 90 degrees and created a 360-degree bowl. Now, when you play the Explorers, you’ve got the Olney Outlaws (the student section) screaming right in your face in sections 113 and 114. It’s a literal game-changer.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
The Mountain MacGillivray Era: A New Blueprint
Since 2018, Mountain MacGillivray has been the guy at the helm. If you've ever seen him on the sidelines, you know he’s high-energy. He came from Quinnipiac, where he was part of that crazy Sweet 16 run, and he brought a specific brand of basketball to 20th and Olney.
It’s about pace. It’s about pressure.
Currently, the 2025-2026 squad is sitting at a 10-6 record (3-2 in the A-10) as of mid-January. They’re scrappy. They recently dropped a tough one to Saint Joseph’s (69-60) over on Hawk Hill, but even in that loss, you saw the "new" La Salle. They trailed by 15 and then absolutely scorched the Hawks with a 24-8 third quarter.
Who is Carrying the Load Right Now?
You’ve gotta talk about Aryss Macktoon. She’s a junior who plays like she’s got a personal grudge against the basketball. She’s leading the team with 15.4 points per game and is basically a defensive nightmare, leading the conference in steals with nearly four per game.
Then there’s Ashleigh Connor. She’s a redshirt junior who does a bit of everything—scoring 14.8 points and leading the team in assists.
The rotation is fascinating. You have:
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
- Joan Quinn: A sophomore who can get hot from deep (she dropped 20 on American earlier this season).
- Kiara Williams: A redshirt freshman who provides that interior grit.
- Ivona Miljanic: The spark plug off the bench who can turn a game around with three-pointers.
The Cheryl Reeve Connection and The Legacy
People forget that La Salle is a coaching factory. Cheryl Reeve, the legendary head coach of the Minnesota Lynx and the US Women’s National Team? Yeah, she was a star point guard here. She’s still all over the record books for assists.
When you look at the names like Linda Hester, Jennifer Cole, and Crista Ricketts, you realize this program isn't some underdog trying to find a seat at the table. They built the table. They were the ones winning 25+ games a year in the late '80s and early '90s.
The struggle recently hasn't been about a lack of talent; it's been about finding stability in a conference that is arguably the toughest "mid-major" league in the country. The A-10 is a gauntlet. You have to travel to Saint Louis, Rhode Island, and Davidson, all while keeping your head above water.
What Most People Get Wrong About La Salle Basketball
A lot of folks think La Salle is just "that small school in Philly."
Wrong.
The program is one of the only schools in the country to have produced multiple National Players of the Year on the men's side, and that culture of "basketball-first" bleeds into the women's game. There is a specific type of "Philly tough" that MacGillivray looks for in recruiting.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
They aren't looking for the blue-chip player who wants a private jet. They want the kid who grew up playing on asphalt and doesn't mind diving into the bleachers for a loose ball.
Strategic Breakdown: How They Win
The Explorers aren't the tallest team. Honestly, their average height is somewhat modest compared to the giants in the Power 5. So, they have to be smarter.
- Turnover Margin: They live and die by the steal. If they aren't forcing 15+ turnovers, they're in trouble.
- The 3-Point Variance: When Joan Quinn and Ivona Miljanic are hitting, they can beat anyone. When they aren't, the floor shrinks.
- Defensive Win Shares: Look at the stats for Kiara Williams and Aryss Macktoon. They are top-tier in terms of defensive efficiency.
Practical Steps for Following the Explorers
If you're actually looking to get into the mix this season, here is what you need to do.
First, check the schedule for the Big 5 Classic. The rivalry games against Villanova, Saint Joseph’s, Temple, and Penn are where the real atmosphere is. Even if the record is 10-6, those games feel like the playoffs.
Second, keep an eye on the Kid’s Day games. They usually happen around 11:00 AM on weekdays. It sounds chaotic—and it is—but the energy from thousands of local school kids inside Glaser Arena is something you won't find at a standard 7:00 PM tip-off.
Finally, watch the development of the freshmen like Sanyiah Littlejohn and Mary Amoateng. MacGillivray has been leaning on youth more than usual this year, and their growth by the time the A-10 Tournament rolls around in March will dictate if this team is a dark horse or a first-round exit.
The program is currently trending toward its most consistent season in years. With a new arena that finally feels like a home-court advantage and a roster led by defensive specialists, the Explorers are moving away from being a "historical" mention and back into a current threat. Keep your eyes on the turnover stats; if they stay in the top of the A-10 for steals, they're going to pull off some upsets in February.