If you’ve ever sat in the wooden bleachers of a Big 5 game in Philadelphia, you know the vibe. It is loud. It is sweaty. It’s a specific kind of intensity that you just don’t find in some sterile, cavernous NBA arena. Honestly, the story of la salle women's basketball is a lot like the city itself: gritty, a little bit overlooked, and remarkably stubborn when it comes to giving up.
People tend to look at the standings and think they know the whole story. Right now, as of mid-January 2026, the Explorers are sitting at 10-7 overall. They’ve got a 3-3 record in the Atlantic 10. Some might call that "middle of the pack." But that’s a lazy take.
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If you actually watch them, you see a program that is basically reinventing itself under Mountain MacGillivray. He’s in his eighth season now. Think about that. In the world of college coaching, eight years is a lifetime. He’s seen the highs and the literal "10-23" lows of the 2024-25 season. But what’s happening at 20th and Olney right now isn't just a recovery; it’s a shift in identity.
The Ashleigh Connor and Aryss Macktoon Factor
You can’t talk about this roster without mentioning the two-headed monster leading the charge. Ashleigh Connor and Aryss Macktoon are practically mirrors of each other on the stat sheet.
Connor is averaging 15.4 points. Macktoon? 15.5.
It is rare to see that kind of scoring symmetry. Connor is that classic Philadelphia guard—tough as nails, shooting 77.3% from the free-throw line, and always looking for the extra pass (she leads the team with over 60 assists). Then you have Macktoon, who is a defensive nightmare for opponents. She has 63 steals already this season. Sixty-three! That’s more than three a game. If you’re a point guard bringing the ball up against her, you’re basically playing a game of "how long until I lose my dribble."
The New Faces Making Noise
- Ivona Miljanic: She came in as a transfer from Young Harris College and immediately provided a spark. She’s hitting about 35% of her threes, which is vital because the team overall has struggled from deep (shooting 26.5% as a unit).
- Yar Manyiel: A presence from Johnson County CC who adds some much-needed depth.
- Joan Quinn: A returner who is quietly the glue. She’s averaging double digits and shooting 84.6% from the stripe. You want her with the ball when the game is on the line.
Why History Actually Matters Here
Most people forget that La Salle was a powerhouse in the late 80s. John Miller—yeah, the father of Archie and Sean Miller—was a legend here. He had a stretch where the team went 28-3 in 1988-89. They weren't just winning games; they were a national conversation.
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Then there’s the Speedy Morris era. Most people know Speedy for the men’s side, but his winning percentage with the women’s program was actually higher. It’s a program built on the shoulders of giants, which makes the current rebuilding phase even more interesting. They aren't trying to be UConn; they’re trying to be the hardest-working team in the A-10.
The Reality of the 2025-26 Season
Let’s be real for a second. The last few weeks have been a bit of a gut-punch. A three-game losing streak against George Mason, Saint Joseph’s, and Saint Louis has tested their resolve. Losing to St. Joe’s always hurts a little more—it’s the Holy War, after all.
But look at the December they had. They took down Fordham. They handled George Washington. They even went down to the wire with some high-major talent. The team is currently averaging 10.8 steals per game. That tells you everything you need to know about their philosophy. They want to turn you over. They want to make the game ugly.
"Mountain has found a collected effort to seek a group desiring something bigger than self." — Atlantic 10 Season Preview
The "X-factor" for the rest of the year is going to be rebounding. They are currently being out-rebounded by a small margin. In a conference as physical as the Atlantic 10, you can't give teams second chances, especially when you’re only scoring 64 points a game yourself.
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What's Next for the Explorers?
If you want to catch the best version of la salle women's basketball, you have to look at the schedule ahead. They have a big stretch at the John Glaser Arena coming up.
- January 18: vs. Davidson (Morgan’s Message game)
- Late January/February: Key matchups against Saint Joseph's (rematch!) and Dayton.
The goal is simple: get back above .500 in the league and secure a better seed for the A-10 Tournament than last year’s 14-seed. They already proved they can pull off an upset—remember Ashleigh Connor’s buzzer-beating layup to beat VCU in the tournament last year? That moment is the blueprint.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Students
- Show up for the Midweek Games: The atmosphere at Glaser Arena for "Kid’s Day" or local rivalry games is when the home-court advantage actually kicks in.
- Watch the Defensive Rotations: Instead of just following the ball, watch Macktoon on the perimeter. Her ability to jump passing lanes is a masterclass in anticipation.
- Check the Bench Scoring: For La Salle to make a deep run in March, they need more than the "Big Three" of Connor, Macktoon, and Quinn. Keep an eye on Ivona Miljanic’s minutes; if she gets hot from three, the floor opens up for everyone else.
The Explorers aren't the biggest team in the country, and they aren't the flashiest. But they are a reflection of Philadelphia basketball at its core: tough, resilient, and always capable of a surprise when the lights are brightest.
Keep an eye on the turnover margin in the next five games. If they keep that positive, they’ll be a very dangerous out come tournament time.
Next Steps for the Reader: Check the official Atlantic 10 standings to see how the Explorers' defensive stats compare to the rest of the league, and if you're in Philly, grab a ticket for the Davidson game this Sunday.