Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Niagara
Bucknell Improves to 5-0 With 75-52 First Round Victory over Niagara at the Cornell Classic
12/1/2000 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 1, 2000
ITHACA, N.Y. - The Bucknell women's basketball team has improved its record to 5-0 on the season with a 75-52 victory over Niagara in the first round of the Cornell Classic on Friday, December 1. It is the first time since the 1986-87 season that a Bison squad has opened the year 5-0.
Bucknell fell behind early, trailing 9-6 just five minutes into the contest. The Orange and Blue took over from that point, however, outscoring the Purple Eagles, 33-13, over the remainder of the half to lead by 17 at the break, 39-22.
Bucknell got 11 points from sophomore Molly Creamer (Mendham, N.J./West Morris Mendham), fighting a viral infection, and 10 from freshman Desire Almind (Blairstown, N.J./North Warren Regional) in the frame.
Both teams got out to a slow start in the second stanza, but Bucknell's lead never fell below 14 as the Bison held on for the 23-point victory.
For the game, Almind led all scorers with 19 points. Creamer finished with 16 markers and a season-high six assists and four steals. Juniors Vicki Quimby (West Lawn, Pa./Wilson) and Monique LeBlanc (Cumberland, R.I./Bishop Feehan) both reached double-figures as well. Quimby ended the game with 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds. She also grabbed three teals in the contest, giving her 135 for her career and moving her into 10th place on the Bucknell all-time career steals list. LeBlanc scored a season-high 11 points while also handing out four assists.
Also contributing to the offense was sophomore Kate Franks (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsurg-Osceola) with seven points and career-highs in assists and steals with six and five, respectively. Freshman Kristin Valdner (Floral Park, N.Y./Floral Park) came off the bench to score a career-high six points in 12 minutes of action, while sophomore Kate Rounsley (Lock Haven, Pa./Lock Haven) and freshman Heidi Helsing (Beaver Falls, Pa./Blackhawk) both had one point.
The Bison look to make it 6-0 on the year in the championship game on December 2 at 7:00 p.m. The Orange and Blue will face the host team, Cornell in the finals. Cornell defeated Central Connecticut in the second game of the evening, 61-51.
