Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lafayette
Bison Women's Cagers Open Patriot League Ledger with 78-65 Win Over Lafayette
1/9/2002 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 9, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Junior Molly Creamer (Mendham, N.J./West Morris Mendham) led four Bucknell players in double-figures with 23 points as the Bison women's basketball team opened the Patriot League season with a 78-65 victory over visiting Lafayette on Wednesday evening.
The Orange and Blue led by as many as 18 in the second half with 49 seconds remaining before a 5-0 spurt by the Leopards, including a three-pointer at the buzzer by Jen Corvigno, created the final deficit of 13. Lafayette was shooting over 50.0% from the field for nearly the entire game, but the Bison scored 23 points off of the Leopards 26 turnovers to maintain the double-digit lead throughout most of the contest.
Bucknell clung to a one-point lead at 7-6 four minutes into the contest, but outscored Lafayette, 22-10, over an eight minute span to create its largest lead of the first half at 29-16 with 8:10 left in the frame. The Leopards cut it to 11 with two made free throws by Colleen Fitzpatrick 13 seconds later, and proceeded to outscore the Bison 13-4 over the next six minutes to get within four, 33-29. The Orange and Blue led 39-34 with under a 30 seconds to play in the half before a three-pointer by senior Rebekah May (Hummelstown, Pa./Hershey) with six seconds remaining gave Bucknell the eight-point halftime cushion, 42-34.
Lafayette got within 10 on two occasions in the second half, but that was as close as the Leopards would get. Bucknell maintained the double-figure lead throughout the second stanza to come away with the 78-65 victory. Rebounding was the story in the second half, with the Bison holding a 21-11 advantage on the glass. The Orange and Blue out rebounded the Leopards, 34-30, in the contest.
Seven seemed to be the number for Creamer, who was 7-of-17 from the floor, 7-of-7 from the free throw line for 23 points, and she handed out seven assists. The 5-10 guard also collected four steals. Sophomore Desire Almind (Blairstown, N.J./North Warren Regional) came back from an illness that held her out for two games to score 13 points, hand out five assists and grab four steals. Also in double-figures were junior Kate Franks (Philipsburg, Pa./Philipsburg-Osceola) and senior Kate Rounsley (Lock Haven, Pa./Lock Haven) with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Rounsley led the team with nine rebounds.
Fitzpatrick led the Leopards with 23 points and seven rebounds, while Kim Costello joined her in double-figures scoring with 10 points.
Bucknell improves to 8-6 overall and 1-0 in the Patriot League. The Bison travel to Annapolis, Md., for a 12:30 p.m. game against Navy on Saturday, January 12. Lafayette falls to 2-11 overall and 0-1 in the conference.
Lafayette (65)
Rojahn 3-5 2-2 8, Fitzpatrick 9-13 5-5 23, Council 0-1 0-0 0, Myers 2-6 2-2 6, Kruise 1-1 0-0 2, Costello 3-6 1-4 10, Corvigno 2-8 0-0 6, Bayer 2-3 0-0 4, LiVecchi 2-3 2-5 6, Infantino 0-3 0-0 0, MacLelland 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 24-49 12-18 65.
Bucknell (78)
LeBlanc 2-3 4-5 8, Quimby 3-8 0-0 6, Rounsley 5-6 1-2 11, Creamer 7-17 7-7 23, Franks 5-13 1-4 12, May 1-1 0-0 3, Almind 4-9 5-7 13, Hettler 0-1 0-0 0, Valdner 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 28-59 18-25 78.
Halftime: Bucknell 42, Lafayette 34. 3-Point Field Goals: Lafayette 5-12 (Costello 3-5, Corvigno 2-6, Infantino 0-1), Bucknell 4-9 (Creamer 2-6, Franks 1-1, May 1-1, Almind 0-1). Rebounds: Lafayette 30 (Fitzpatrick 7), Bucknell 34 (Rounsley 9). Assists: Lafayette 13 (Costello 3), Bucknell 19 (Creamer 7). Total Fouls: Lafayette 21, Bucknell 19. Fouled Out: none. Att: 650.
