Bucknell University
Air Force
Bison Women's Basketball Wins at Home Over Air Force, 85-69
1/2/2003 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 2, 2003
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell used a 23-4 run over the final 11 minutes of the first half to break open a one-point game and go on to an 85-69 victory over visiting Air Force on Thursday, January 2. Senior Kate Franks scored nine of her 17 first half points during the decisive run, becoming the 13th Bucknell women's player to eclipse 1,000 career points in the process.
The Bison were sluggish to open the game, missing five of their first seven shots from the floor, while the Falcons connected on four of their first five attempts to jump out to a 9-6 lead just under four minutes into it. Bucknell trailed 14-10 with 15 minutes left in the frame before battling back with a 12-5 run to take a 22-19 lead three minutes later. Two quick buckets by the visitor saw the Orange and Blue fall in a 23-22 hole, but a three-pointer by Franks jump started the BU offense on its run to end the half with a 45-27 advantage.
Franks, who entered the game needing 10 points to reach 1,000, not only gave the Bison the lead for good with the triple, but also scored her 11th point of the half, putting her over the milestone mark.
Air Force struggled to get the offense moving in the second half, scoring just five points through the first six minutes of the final stanza. The Falcons would not go quietly, however, coming back from a 28-point deficit (60-32) to get within 14, 64-50, with 9:21 to play. Bucknell pushed the advantage back to 20 over the next five minutes, before staving off another Air Force surge that saw the Falcons cut it to 13 with 40 ticks left on the clock. BU, which struggled from the free throw line late in the game, made 3-of-6 foul shots in the final 21 seconds to win going away, 85-69.
The Orange and Blue were hot from the field in the second half, connecting on 54.2% of their shots, to finish the game an even .500 from the floor (29-58).
Senior Molly Creamer led all players with 30 points and 11 assists for her second double-double of the year. With her fourth 30-point game of the season, Creamer needs just 20 points to reach 2,000 in her career. Franks, who became the 32nd player in Patriot League history to reach 1,000 career points, finished the contest with 24 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Also in double-figures was junior Kristin Valdner with 12.
LaToya Howell led Air Force with 18 points, all in the second half.
Bucknell improves to 5-6 overall with its second-straight win. The Bison, who returned home from a five-game road stand, hit the road again to take on Long Island University on Saturday, January 4 at 2:00 p.m. Air Force falls to 5-5.
