Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Iona
Bucknell Runs to 90-66 Victory Over Iona in Women's Basketball
1/3/2005 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 3, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Lindsey Hollobaugh scored 18 points on 7 of 11 shooting to lead the Bucknell women's basketball team as five Bison reached double figures in a 90-66 defeat of Iona Monday night at Sojka Pavilion. It was the first time five Bucknell players scored at least 10 points apiece since an 82-64 defeat of Army in 2002.
The win gave Bucknell (5-7), which posted a season-high 90 points, a 4-0 record at home this year and extended its home winning streak to eight games. The Bison are 16-7 all-time in Sojka Pavilion.
Bucknell, which made 32 of 51 (62.7 percent) field goals, fell just short of the school record of 66.1 percent set in 2002 against Colgate. However, the Bison equaled a 29-year-old school record for assists in a game with 28. That figure tied Bucknell's mark against Juniata on Feb. 9, 1976. Lindsey Geosits led the way with a career-high nine assists, while Hollobaugh added four. Three other players dished out three assists apiece.
Hollobaugh, who scored 16 of her 18 points in the first half, started the game by tallying the first eight points for the Bison. Bucknell built an 8-4 lead behind two jumpers, a three-pointer and a free throw from Hollobaugh. She finished the game 3 of 3 from behind the arc as Bucknell made a season-high 8 of 10.
The Gaels let Bucknell extend the lead out to seven points before climbing back to within two at 17-15 with 10:11 remaining in the first half. The Bison then reeled off 20 consecutive points over a four-and-one-half minute stretch to take a commanding 22-point lead at 37-15 following a three-pointer by Emilie Barruet who finished 4 of 4 from the field with a career-high 10 points and a pair of three-pointers. Her previous career best was four points.
Over the final 10 minutes of the first half the Bucknell defense, which forced 20 turnovers and limited Iona to just 36.5 percent (19 of 52) shooting, allowed the Gaels just one field goal. That lone basket came when Tamika Simmons sneaked a lay-up over the rim with just over five minutes to play.
Bucknell increased its lead to 52-25 at halftime after Kesha Champion banked in a three-pointer as time expired. The 52 points were the most the Bison had scored in the first half since eighth-year head coach Kathy Fedorjaka took over the helm of the program prior to the 1997-98 season.
In the second half, Bucknell extended its lead out to a season-high 32 points after Amanda Fleming canned a pair of free throws to make it 83-51 with 6:18 on the clock. Fleming, who made a three-pointer on the previous possession, tallied five points in four minutes.
The closest Iona (3-8) could get in the second half was 24 points as it closed the gap to that figure on seven occasions, including the 90-66 final after ending the game on a 9-3 run over the final 4:12.
Rachel Hanley and Brooke Tomovich added 14 points apiece, while Foster equaled Barruet's output of 10 points to round out the Bucknell double-figure scorers. Champion fell just short of the 10-point plateau by scoring eight.
Despite trailing the whole game, Iona did place four players in double figures as Meg Abele netted 13, and Regan Pettijohn, Melissa Yeagley and Toni Horvath contributed 10 apiece. Yeagley and Abele each made 8 of 8 free throws as the Gaels knocked down 24 of 25 in the game. The Bison made 18 of 22 with Tomovich posting a 4 of 4 showing. Hanley made 6 of her 8 attempts.
Bucknell opens Patriot League play Saturday, Jan. 8, at Holy Cross. Bucknell defeated the Crusaders twice in three meetings last year.
