Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Alabama
Bison Women's Hoops Drop First Game at Saint Peter's Holiday Classic, 89-64, to Alabama
12/29/2002 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2002
JERSEY CITY, N.J. - Bucknell trailed 52-36 in the rebounding category, and an 18-point halftime lead was too much to overcome, as the Bison fell 89-64 to Alabama in the opening round of the Saint Peter's Holiday Classic on Sunday, December 30, 2002.
The first half was a session of runs as the Tide would build a significant lead, only to have the Bison come charging back each time. Bucknell trailed by 10 early in the game before a 7-0 run by the Orange and Blue, capped by a three-point play by junior Kristin Valdner, cut it to 18-15. After an Alabama timeout, the Crimson Tide mounted a 17-7 run that increased their lead to 37-24 with 7:35 to play in the frame. Part of that run included a 9-0 spurt from three-pointers on three consecutive trips down the court.
Once again, Bucknell came surging back to make it a six-point game after an 8-1 run cut it to 38-32. Freshman Lindsey Geosits capped the run with a steal and a layup to get the Bison back into it with just under six minutes to go in the half. The Crimson Tide had the last run of the period, however, outscoring BU 18-6 over the last 5:55 of the stanza to take a 56-38 lead into the locker room.
The Orange and Blue were at a disadvantage on the glass, trailing 25-12 in rebounds to the taller Alabama team. Bucknell connected on 13-of-28 field goals (46.4%), but struggled from three-point range, making only 2-of-13 (15.4%) in the half. The Crimson Tide shot a sizzling 55.3% (21-of-38) from the field and 50.0% (8-of-16) from downtown.
Bucknell got as close as 17 in the second half, but the Alabama squad took over, running up to a 23-point advantage just five minutes into the final frame. The Bison would get within only 19 the rest of the way as the Tide always had an answer for any BU basket. A Chelsea Smith field goal with 2:02 left gave Bucknell its final score of the game, and a Crimson Tide free throw a minute later created the final score of 89-64.
Senior Molly Creamer led all scorers in the game with 28 points. The 5-10 guard now stands just 69 markers shy of the 2,000-point career milestone. Valdner finished the game with a career-best 14 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Senior Kate Franks now needs just 23 points to reach 1,000 in her career, scoring seven in the contest.
Monique Bivins led Alabama with a career-high 22 points on the strength of seven three-pointers.
The Orange and Blue finished the game shooting 39.0% after hitting only 32.3% (10-of-31) of their shots in the second half. BU continued to struggle from downtown, ending the game with a 19.0% accuracy (4-21). Alabama, which defeated #24 BYU in its last game, shot only 28.6% (10-35) in the second but still ended the contest with a 42.5% clip.
Bucknell will face the Akron, a 72-49 loser against Saint Peter's in the other opening round game, in the consolation round at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, December 30, 2002.
