Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
American
Bucknell Women's Basketball Falls 61-55 to American
1/14/2009 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 14, 2009
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| Bucknell-American Highlights
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Amanda Brown (Richardson, Texas/L.V. Berkner) scored a game-high 23 points, and Morgan Wrightson (Gaithersburg, Md./Notre Dame Academy) tallied 10 points in six minutes to start the second half, but American University proved to be too much for the Bucknell women's basketball team as the Bison (9-6, 1-1) fell 61-55 at Sojka Pavilion on Wednesday night. The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Orange and Blue.
After trailing 34-22 at the half, Bucknell opened the second stanza with an 18-6 run. The scoring streak tied the game at 40, the first time in the game that the Bison had flirted with the lead. Twice during the first half, Bucknell threatened American's (11-6, 1-1) advantage, but it was unable to pull ahead each time.
Bucknell's second-half fun was more successful than those in the first, backed by Wrightson, who scored all of her 10 points in the early stretch. The freshman guard began her point production with a jumper at 14:01 to set the score at 38-34 in favor of the Eagles. She thwarted American's defensive effort a few minutes later, draining a three-point field goal as the shot clock sounded and brought Bucknell to within a single point of its opponent.
Brown earned three of her career high-tying 23 points as the American defender mistakenly gave the senior too much room behind the arc. Her three-point shot tied the game at 40. The Eagles were not willing to allow Bucknell to take the lead easily, however, and responded with back-to-back baskets to go up by four points with 10:52 to play.
Wrightson would not be denied, however, earning three points the hard way with a layup and free throw before hitting a jumper at 8:21. The 47-46 Bison lead off that shot was the team's first and only advantage of the night.
American answered the loss of its lead with an 11-0 run over the next four minutes to put too great a distance between it and the Bison. Bucknell was unable to mount another comeback as the Orange and Blue managed just eight points in the final 7:46.
That Bucknell was able to make the contest as tight as it did was particularly impressive following a difficult first half in which the Bison shot just 9-for-29. American double- and triple-teamed Bucknell's post players throughout the game. The defensive strategy proved effective for the Eagles who pulled out to a quick 9-2 lead with less than four minutes gone from the clock.
Despite the high traffic in the paint, Joyce Novacek (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) was able to make an impact on the block. The sophomore connected for a pair of layups less than 30 seconds apart to make the score 9-6. Brown also took advantage of American's focus on the inside play and hit one of her three-point shots on the night.
Bucknell was both helped and harmed by scoring droughts in the first half, allowing it to keep the Eagles' lead to single digits throughout much of the opening 20 minutes. Lauren Schober (Chicago, Ill./Regina Dominican) posted five quick points with a pair of free throws and a three-point shot midway through the stanza, and Cosima Higham (Brooklyn, N.Y./Poly Prep Country Day) hit a short jumper at 7:16 to bring the score to 24-20.
Both teams then suffered from an inability to hit shots. American broke the skid first with a jumper from Janelle McDonald at 3:36. It was the first basket in more than four minutes for the Eagles. Bucknell was less fortunate and able to end its scoring drought with a jumper from Brown and only after a 10-0 American run.
After getting her first start since Saint Francis (Pa.) on Dec. 28, Christina Chukwuedo (Monessen, Pa./Monessen) had a strong outing. The freshman set career highs with six rebounds and six assists without committing a turnover. Her six boards tied her for the team high with Schober and Novacek. Brown also tallied six assists for the Bison. Schober and Novacek contributed to the point total with eight apiece as well, and Higham added six. Bucknell's nine turnovers were a season-best.
Liz Leer led American in scoring with 16, followed by Pam Stanfield with 13. Leer's nine rebounds were bested only by Talicia Jackson with 11.
Tonight's game will be broadcast on WQMY (channel 11 on CATV) at 10 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 15.
Bucknell is back on the road this weekend with a Saturday, Jan. 17 matchup with Holy Cross. Tip off is slated for 1 p.m. Head coach Kathy Fedorjaka will make her second attempt at her 250th career victory at the Hart Center in Worcester, Mass.
