Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
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Bucknell Women's Basketball Drops 63-51 Decision at American
1/13/2010 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Jan. 13, 2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Bucknell women's basketball had three players finish in double-digit scoring, but American proved too tough as the Eagles upended the Bison, 63-51, at Bender Arena Wednesday night. Joyce Novacek (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopwell) led the Orange and Blue (4-11, 0-2) with 14 points, followed by Rachel Voss (Cincinnati, Ohio/Loveland) and Trisha Krewson (Sandusky, Ohio/Perkins) with 13 apiece.
Despite the 12-point loss, Bucknell finished with some strong shooting percentages. At the final, the Bison shot 50 percent (21-for-42) from the field and 45.5 percent (5-for-11) from three-point distance. American (9-7, 2-0) shot 35.5 percent (22-for-62) from the field.
American kept Bucknell from finding its rhythm early in the game, but the Bison were able to put some points on the board with the help of their inside game. Novacek and Cosima Higham (Brooklyn, N.Y./Poly Prep Country Day) collected the team's first eight points. At 15:27, the Bison trailed but were still within striking distance at 13-8.
Novacek and Higham's success in the paint kept the teams' battle under the basket close through the first 20 minutes. As the teams headed into the locker room, Bucknell was down just 14-12 in the points in the paint category.
The Bison's window of opportunity in the first half closed at that point, however, as they were hit with a scoring drought that lasted the better part of six minutes. Voss drilled a three-point shot at 9:02 to interrupt the slump, but Bucknell continued to struggle to improve its position. With 8:39 remaining in the first half, Bucknell trailed 26-11 following a 13-3 American run.
Bucknell had a difficult time protecting the ball and committed 15 turnovers in the first half, compared to just three for its opponent. That led to a 16-0 advantage for the Eagles in points off turnovers and a 40-21 overall scoring advantage at the half.
After being quiet except for her three-pointer midway through the first, Voss came to life early in the second. The freshman tallied eight of the Bison's first 10 points in the half, including two more treys. The 13 points she ended the game with tied a career high.
The Bison did its best to chip away at the Eagles' lead throughout the second half. Although they still did not score at a blistering pace, they were able to limit American to just six free throws and no field goals for nearly 13 minutes. With the defensive effort, Bucknell brought its deficit from 44-23 with 19:04 to go to 50-37 at the 6:16 mark.
Several Bison got into the offensive mix during that stretch. Higham and Novacek got in on the action, as did Christina Chukwuedo (Monessen, Pa./Monessen) and Krewson to put a combined 14 points on the board.
American snapped itself out the skid as Michelle Kirk drained back-to-back three pointers for the Eagles. After scoring 13 in the first half, Kirk was held to seven points in the second.
In the end, American proved too tough and handed Bucknell its second straight Patriot League loss. The Bison did end on the positive side of the rebounding battle, however, coming out on top 34-29. Novacek led all players on the boards with eight. The junior forward also had two blocks, giving her 64 career rejections to rank eighth all-time at Bucknell.
Kirk led all players in scoring with 20 points. Liz Leer also had 12 points and four blocks but was limited to three rebounds.
Bucknell returns to Sojka Pavilion for the first time in four games, hosting Holy Cross on Saturday. Tipoff against the Crusaders is slated for 2 p.m. at Sojka Pavilion. Leading up to the game, head coach Kathy Fedorjaka will be on 94.1 WQKX with Drew Kelly at 7:30 tomorrow morning.
