Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
American *
Bucknell Ends Six-Game Losing Streak with 66-60 Win Over American
2/11/2005 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 11, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Brooke Tomovich led three Bison in double figures with a game-high 14 points, and connected on a game-clinching jumper from the left wing with 14 seconds on the clock, as the Bucknell women's basketball team ended a six-game losing streak with a 66-60 victory over American Friday at Bender Arena.
Bucknell (8-15, 2-8 Patriot League) led by no more than eight points, but did not trail during the second half. The Bison used a 19-7 run over the final 6:11 of the first half to take their first lead since 6-4 in the opening minutes. Lindsey Geosits, who equaled her season high with nine points, gave Bucknell a 31-30 lead with 2:37 left in the first half on a baseline jumper.
A jumper and a 3-pointer from the left wing by Tomovich, who had nine first-half points, extended Bucknell's lead to 36-32. Kesha Champion, who equaled her career high with 13 points, and scored six of the Bison's first eight points, added a free throw to give Bucknell a 37-32 halftime lead.
The Bison defense, which allowed just one field goal over the final 6:24 of the first half, forced 12 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of play and 22 in the game.
American opened up the second half by forcing two turnovers and scoring four straight points, which caused Bucknell head coach Kathy Fedorjaka to burn one of her timeouts in the opening minute. American (9-14, 4-6 PL) continued its hot streak to tie the game at 41-41 after a three-point play by Chanel Hunt with 16:07 left. Hunt and Joanna Barnes, who were averaging more than 25 points combined entering the game, were held to just 14 points.
After the Eagles drew even, Bucknell reeled off a 10-2 run over the next nearly five minutes to take a 51-43 lead. The run was highlighted by a pair of baskets from Hope Foster and a 3-pointer from Geosits. A 3-pointer on American's ensuing possession by Angel Jordan with the shot clock running down narrowed the lead to five points, but another basket from Tomovich and a free throw from Lindsey Hollobaugh, who had 12 points and was 7 of 8 from the free throw line, extended the lead back to eight at 54-46.
The Bison were able to keep their lead between three and seven points until Foster fouled Jenyce Woodruff with 2:22 on the clock. Woodruff made both free throws to cut the lead to 62-60. Those were the last points the Eagles would score as they were 0-for-4 from the floor and turned the ball over once the rest of the game.
Bucknell was leading 63-60 when a Woodruff layup was blocked by Foster, who finished with four rejections in the game to bring her season total to 55. Hollobaugh grabbed the rebound with just over 40 seconds on the clock. With American trying to foul, Champion drove along the right baseline, but had her shot blocked by Kim Salem out of bounds with 20 seconds left. On the ensuing in-bounds play the ball ended up in Tomovich's hands on the left wing where she connected on her fifth field goal of the game to clinch the victory for the Bison.
Foster, who was 5 of 8 from the free throw line, added a foul shot with 1.6 seconds left to give Bucknell its second league victory of the season. As a team, the Bison made a season-high 23 of 33 free throws, led by Hollobaugh's seven. The conference's worst free throw shooting team, American, connected on 11 of 13, including 5 of 6 from Salem.
Bucknell, which had been 3-3 in games it outrebounded its opponent, grabbed 32 rebounds to the Eagles' 31. Included in those boards were 12 offensive caroms, including a team-high three from Champion. Foster led the way with eight rebounds overall to go along with her nine points.
Despite not starting for just the second time in her three-year career, Geosits came off the bench to make 3 of 4 field goals and dish out five assists in 28 minutes of playing time.
In gaining just their second road win this season, Bucknell ended its longest losing streak since 1997-98. The Bison also stayed above the .500 mark all-time in Patriot League regular-season play, improving to 97-95. The victory was also the 58th Patriot League win for Fedorjaka in her 100th career Patriot League game.
The Bison will look to continue their winning ways Sunday, Feb. 13, at Navy. The Bison and Mids tip off at 1 p.m. at Alumni Hall. Navy defeated Bucknell 53-43 two weeks ago at Sojka Pavilion.
