Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Holy Cross
Bucknell Women's Basketball Slips at Holy Cross, 66-60
1/17/2009 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 17, 2009
WORCESTER, Mass. - Amanda Brown (Richardson, Texas/L.V. Berkner) scored a career-high 26 points, but the Bucknell women's basketball team was unable to get its second Patriot League victory, falling 66-60 at the Hart Center on Saturday afternoon.
Holy Cross struck first in the game with a layup from Kathy Gruzynski, but that did not seem to faze the Bison. Joyce Novacek (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) rattled off four quick points on a layup and a pair of free throws to give the Orange and Blue an early lead.
Bucknell was able to maintain a high level of energy throughout the half, getting a handful of uncontested points in the paint by beating the defense down the court and off a pair of steals from Lauren Schober (Chicago, Ill./Regina Dominican). Schober's first swipe came following a three-point field goal from the Crusaders' Christy Cushnie that tied the game at 14 with 9:58 to play. Trisha Krewson (Sandusky, Ohio/Perkins) extended the Bison's newest lead to 19-14 following a three-point bucket of her own off a skip pass.
Bucknell's advantage continued to grow as the Bison went on a 10-2 run from 6:25 to 4:57. Brown hit a trio of jumpers, including a smooth three-point basket from the top of the arc, and Schober added a three-pointer of her own to anchor the scoring point.
The Crusaders' Bethany O'Dell kept Bucknell from getting out of reach, however, as she responded with each of her team's next 14 points. With less than 30 seconds remaining in the half, O'Dell knocked down her final points to give Holy Cross the 32-31 lead, its first since its first basket at 19:20. Bucknell ran out time to bounce back, committing two turnovers in its final three possessions going into halftime. At the midway buzzer, Holy Cross held the 32-31 advantage.
Schober and Brown each posted 10 points in the opening stanza to lead the Bison.
Bucknell was sluggish to open scoring in the second half, earning its first three points from the free throw line as the Crusaders' O'Dell continued to hit three-point shots. Unfortunately for the Bison, foul trouble kept them from getting into a solid rhythm. Bucknell committed five fouls in the opening seven minutes.
Brown was able to help the team overcome the disadvantage, however, by keeping her team in the game with her shooting. The senior scored nine of the Orange and Blue's first 11 points in the half. With 9:52 remaining in the game, Brown had already posted 20 points, giving her the fifth game this season in which she has scored at least 20 points.
As Brown's scoring started to slow down, so did the Bison's. A layup by Schober just seconds before the shot clock sounded brought Bucknell back to within four points with 5:30 to play and the score at 54-50, but the Crusaders' Briana McFadden sent it back to seven with a basket and a free throw. The score continued to go from seven to four and back again as Brown tied her career high of 23 points and five three-pointers in a game at 4:55. O'Dell answered with her own three-pointer on the next possession, keeping with the swing of points.
With Holy Cross leading by six with one minute remaining, the Crusaders' Elizabeth Campbell had what appeared to be a sure layup. Novacek flew into the paint, however, recording her fourth block of the day to keep the game within reach. Bucknell got a final opening with 32 seconds remaining as Brown went to the charity stripe, making one of her two attempts. Although she hit a final jumper with two seconds left in the game, the Bison fell by a score of six.
In addition to Brown's 26 points, Schober finished with 14 points and a team-high seven rebounds and four steals. Brown also dished out a team-best five assists while committing just a single turnover.
O'Dell fell just short of her own career high, totaling 23 points on the afternoon. After being held to just four points in the first half, McFadden added nine in the second for a total of 13. McFadden also posted a game-high nine rebounds and six assists.
Bucknell is back in action on Wednesday, Jan. 21 when it takes on Lafayette in Easton, Pa. Tip off is slated for 7 p.m. at the Kirby Sports Center.
