Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Basketball Takes to the Road for Wednesday Matchup at Fordham
11/16/2010 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 16, 2010
WHAT: Bucknell (1-0) vs. Fordham (1-1) Women's Basketball
WHERE: Rose Hill Gym, Bronx, N.Y.
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 17, 7 p.m.
RADIO: WVBU 90.5, SportsJuice.com
VIDEO: fordhamsports.com 
LIVE STATS: GameTracker on BucknellBison.com 
Complete Game Notes in PDF Format 
About the Game
Bucknell will try to win back-to-back games for the first time since last January when it travels to Bronx, N.Y., for a 7 p.m. game with Fordham on Wednesday. The Bison will also be looking for its first 2-0 start since the 2008-09 season when it opened the campaign with wins over George Mason (62-51), Yale (73-70) and Fordham (47-46) on the road.
With a Victory Over Fordham, Bucknell Would...
► Win back-to-back games at the Rams' Rose Hill Gym for the first time in series history.
► Extend its winning streak over the Rams to three games for the first time in series history.
► Keep head coach Kathy Fedorjaka undefeated at 3-0 in her meetings against the Rams.
► Start the season with at least two consecutive wins for the 10th time in program history.
► Be the second Patriot League team to start the season 2-0. Navy opened 2-0 last weekend.
Last Meeting - Nov. 21, 2009
► Bucknell 63, Fordham 56 (Sojka Pavilion)
► Joyce Novacek recorded her first double-double of the season with 10 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, and Morgan Wrightson led all scorers with 25 points.
► Novacek's 15 boards also helped the Bison to win the battle on the glass, 44-29.
► Rachel Voss became the third Bison in double-figure scoring when she recorded what was then a career-high 13 points on 6 of 7 shooting from the field. That personal best mark held until Jan. 23 when the guard dropped 20 points on Colgate at Sojka Pavilion.
► The win was Bucknell's first against Fordham in Lewisburg since 1993. That contest ended with a nearly identical score of 64-58.
Quick Facts
Shelby Romine was named the Patriot League/Anaconda Rookie of the Week on Monday ... Joyce Novacek claimed her 10th career double vs. Rider last Friday ... Six of Rachel Voss' eight double-digit scoring performances have come at Sojka Pavilion ... Voss was selected to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team last year after leading Bucknell in steals and finishing as the team's fifth-leading scorer ... the Bison recorded at least one blocked shot in every game last year, including a season-best 11 at Lafayette ... Bucknell was picked eighth in the 2010-11 Patriot League Preseason Poll ... Cosima Higham each enter her senior season with nine career double-doubles ... Novacek led the team with five double-doubles in 2009-10 ... Bucknell led the Patriot League in offensive rebounding (13.0/game), rebounding defense (31.9/game), rebounding margin (+5.8) and blocked shots (3.9/game) last season ... the Bison finished the 2009-10 campaign ranked in the top 100 nationally in rebounding margin (27th, +5.8), scoring defense (77th, 59.9) and blocked shots (91st, 3.9) ... Novacek was named to the ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District First Team for the second time in her career last year ... Bucknell ranked 14th nationally on the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll with a team GPA of 3.422.
History vs. Fordham
► Bucknell is 1-7 all-time at Fordham's Rose Hill Gym with the Bison's first victory coming 47-46 in 2008. The Rams have won by an average of 12.9 points on their home court.
► Not only does Fordham have a 14-5 series lead over Bucknell, but the Rams' victories have also come in convincing fashion. In its 14 victories, Fordham has won by an average of 15.6 points, while Bucknell's five victories have come by an average of 6.8.
► When Joyce Novacek grabbed 15 rebounds against Fordham last season, she tied Ann Kirwin for the most boards by a Bison against the Rams in series history. Kirwin totaled 15 rebounds on Nov. 23, 1985, the same game in which she blocked four shots, which is also the most by a Bison in a Bucknell-Fordham matchup. Other series highs include 28 points from Julie Bachman on Jan. 23, 1991; 12 assists from Stacey Spitko on Dec. 13, 1986 and Nov. 28, 1987; and seven steals from Lisa Fink on Jan. 13, 1993. Despite those performances, Bucknell only won the 1986 and 1987 meetings when Spitko dished a dozen assists and the 2009 meeting in which Novacek dominated the glass.
► Bucknell has had eight players post 20 or more points in a game against Fordham. The most dominant scoring display came on Nov. 28, 1987 when Jennifer Walz finished with 26 points and Marie Kocornik totaled 24. Kocornik also had a double-double, adding 11 rebounds in 38 minutes of play.
► Bucknell and Fordham met 12 times as Patriot League foes. The Rams led 11-1 in those contests.
► Recent Results:
March 3, 1994:Fordham, 57-51 (Patriot League Tournament)
Jan. 14, 1995:Fordham, 61-54
Feb. 8, 1995:Fordham, 59-49
Nov. 22, 2008:Bucknell, 47-46
Nov. 21, 2009:Bucknell, 63-56
About the Rams
Like Bucknell, Fordham opened its season last Friday. The Rams lost their 2010-11 debut, however, 91-77 at Elon in the first game of the Phoenix Classic. They bounced back the following night for an 81-73 win against Stony Brook. Becky Peters was named to the all-tournament team with 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.
The Rams went 8-22 overall, giving them their second straight season with eight total victories, and 2-12 in the Atlantic 10 last year. Heading into the 2010-11 campaign, Fordham is without last season's leading scorer (13.7 ppg) and rebounder (6.1 rpg) in Randall Hurst. They are also trying to turn around a defensive effort that allowed opponents to shoot .434 from the field last season.
Romine Top Rookie
Shelby Romine became the first Bison to cop Patriot League honors when she was named the league's Rookie of the Week on Monday. The award came just days after recording 17 points, five assists, three rebounds, one block and one steal against Rider. Romine earned the start in her first collegiate game and played 38 minutes.
The Best Things in Life are Free Throws
Bucknell was 18 of 25 from the free throw line against Rider last week. Those numbers turned out to be noteworthy for several Bison.
► Shelby Romine was 9-for-13 from the line. The freshman's outing was just the fifth time since 2005-06 that a Bison made at least nine free throws in a single game. Romine joins Cosima Higham and Hope Foster, who sank nine free throws on three occasions, during that stretch.
► Joyce Novacek made seven of her eight free throw attempts against the Broncs. The last time the forward posted similar success at the charity stripe was at American last season. Novacek was also 7-for-8 (.875) in that contest.
► The Bison reached 18 made free throws three times all of last season, including at Cornell (18-24), Army (20-24) and Lafayette (18-23).
► The last time Bucknell attempted 25 or more free throws was against Colgate on Jan. 23, 2010 when they shot 16-for-27.
Early Double-Double
Joyce Novacek posted her 10th career double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds against Rider last Friday. Such a performance in the first game of the season is not unusual for the Bison. Bucknell now has had a player reach the double-double achievement in the season opener five times in the last six years.
Double-Doubles in Recent Season Openers
Lindsey Hollobaugh
2005-06
at Stony Brook
14 pts.-11 reb.
Hope Foster
2006-07
vs. Hampton
20 pts.-16 reb.
Lauren Schober
2007-08
at St. Bonaventure
10 pts.-10 reb.
Cosima Higham
2008-09
at George Mason
12 pts.-13 reb.
Joyce Novacek
2010-11
vs. Rider
11 pts.-13 reb.
Defensive Power
Bucknell held Rider to .298 shooting from the field (17-57) last Friday, and everyone is hoping that is a sign of good things to come. Despite posting one of the best scoring defense marks in program history last season, the Bison limited opponents to less than 30 percent shooting just twice, including Colgate (.295; 18-61) and Army (.278; 15-54).
Starting on the Right Foot
There's something about season openers that seems to get Rachel Voss going. In Bucknell's 2009-10 opener vs. Miami (Ohio), Voss totaled 10 points and three steals. Against Rider last Friday, the sophomore tallied 11 points and tied that career high in steals.
Leading Off
Bucknell has done well for itself when beginning the season on its home court. With their 53-48 win over Rider last Friday, the Bison are 8-3 in season openers that are also home openers.
Season Openers That Were also Home Openers
| 2010-11: | Rider | W, 53-48 |
| 2006-07: | Hampton | W, 85-77 |
| 2001-02: | Albany | W, 64-45 |
| 2000-01: | American | W, 79-73 |
| 1998-99: | Kent State | L, 54-81 |
| 1997-98: | Sacred Heart | W, 64-53 |
| 1996-97: | Marist | W, 75-69 |
| 1995-96: | Hofstra | W, 92:53 |
| 1984-85: | Bloomsburg | L, 50-63 |
| 1981-82: | Lock Haven | L, 37-49 |
| 1974-75: | Susquehanna | W, 73-27 |
Academic Excellence
in grade-point average when the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) released its Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll in July. With a 3.422 GPA, Bucknell was the only Patriot League team to earn recognition. Bucknell also led the pack on the Patriot League Academic Honor Roll. The Bison placed 11 of its 12 players on the list, while no other squad had more than seven.
Joyce Novacek and Trisha Krewson added ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District First Team honors to their resumes as well. It was Novacek's second selection of her career.
Coaching Milestones
Head coach Kathy Fedorjaka is coming up on yet another milestone in her coaching career. Now in her 14th year at Bucknell, Fedojraka has a 197-179 record with the Orange and Blue, good for a .524 winning percentage. That total has long put her at the top of the list for most program victories. Number two on that list is Fedorjaka's predecessor, Julienne Simpson, with a six-year mark of 65-98.
Last year, Fedorjaka surpassed the century mark in Patriot League wins with her 60-47 win over Colgate. She enters 2010-11 with a career record of 101-73 in the league.
Senior Leadership
Seniors Cosima Higham, Joyce Novacek and Taylor Phillips have been named Bucknell's team captains for the 2010-11 season. Higham and Novacek also emerged as the squad's leaders last year, making them the first two-year captains since Lindsey Hollobaugh earned the title of captain in 2005-06 and 2006-07. They are also the 14th and 15th Bison in program history to claim the leadership role multiple times.
New Face
The Bison coaching staff welcomed its newest addition to the sideline against Rider. Bill Broderick joined the team as an assistant coach during the summer after spending the last two seasons as an assistant at Elon. The Vienna, Va., native's career also includes stops at Potomac State College (1992-94), Frostburg State (1994-95), Arizona (1995-98) and Pittsburgh (1998-2002).
Ending on a High Note
Joyce Novacek could hardly have ended her junior season on a higher note. The forward scored a career-high 24 points in the Patriot League Tournament Quarterfinals against Lehigh. That total is also tied for the third-most points by a Bison in the league tournament. Desire Almind also had 24 against Holy Cross on March 5, 2004, while Molly Creamer and Lindsey Hollobaugh share the record with 25.
Rebounders Back Again
Bucknell returns each of its three leading rebounders from last season in Joyce Novacek (7.2 rpg), Cosima Higham (7.1 rpg) and Lindsay Horbatuck (4.1 rpg). The last time that happened was in 2006-07 when Hope Foster, Lindsay Hollobaugh and Lauren Schober each came back for another season. This season also marks the 11th time in the program's 37 years that each of the top three rebounders returned.
| Season | Leading Rebounders | ||
| 2009-10 | Joyce Novacek, Jr. | Cosima Higham, Jr. | Lindsay Horbatuck Fr. |
| 2005-06 | Hope Foster, So. | Lindsey Hollobaugh, Jr. | Lauren Schober, Fr. |
| 2001-02 | Vicki Quimby, Jr. | Monique LeBlanc, Jr. | Desire Almind, Fr. |
| 1995-96 | Shannon McGowan, Jr. | Kim Delfs, Fr. | Chiara Sockel, Jr. |
| 1994-95 | Shannon McGowan, So. | Casey Hollister, Jr. | Chiara Sockel, So. |
| 1985-86 | Ann Kirwin, Jr.* | Marie Kocornik, So. | Lynne Walshaw, Fr.* |
| 1981-82 | Jenny Burke, Jr. | Carolyn Gates, Fr. | Jody Travisano, So. |
| 1979-80 | Jill Henry, Jr.* | Liz Rabenold, Jr. | Anne Barry, So. |
| 1977-78 | Liz Rabenold, Fr. | Bobbi Castens, Jr.* | Karin Wegener, Jr.* |
| 1976-77 | Bobbi Castens, So.* | Karin Wegener, So.* | Patricia Sermon, So. |
| 1975-76 | Bobbi Castens, Fr.* | Karin Wegener, Fr.* | Sue Conaty, Fr. |
*Bucknell Hall of Famer
Dominance on the Glass
It is no secret that rebounding was one of Bucknell's strong points last season. The Bison finished the year with a +5.8 rebounding margin, one of the highest in program history. The last team that came close to such a mark was the 1997-98 squad that finished with a +5.4 margin on the glass.
Rebounding Margin Since 2000-01
| 2009-10 | +5.8 | ||
| 2008-09 | +2.1 | ||
| 2007-08 | -4.1 | ||
| 2006-07 | -2.5 | ||
| 2005-06 | -0.5 | ||
| 2004-05 | -4.8 | ||
| 2003-04 | +0.0 | ||
| 2002-03 | -6.7 | ||
| 2001-02 | +1.7 | ||
| 2000-01 | +3.4 |
More Boards
Joyce Novacek has been doing her best to leave her mark in the history books at Bucknell. The forward has ranked among the Bison's top three in rebounding in each of her first three seasons in the Orange and Blue. After averaging 4.3 boards as a freshman, that number improved to 6.3 in 2008-09 and finally 7.2 to lead the team in 2009-10. Novacek leads all current Bison with 523 career rebounds. The senior has a shot at cracking the program's all-time top-10 list in boards this year, needing just 155 more to do so.
Keeping the Opponent Down
The Bison held opponents to 59.9 points per game last season. That ranks eighth all-time on Bucknell's single-season scoring defense. This year's senior class finds itself on the ledger two other times as well, including third in 2008-09 (57.6) and seventh in 2007-08 (59.3).
Class Contributions
Bucknell's current senior class made itself known for its interior play last season. Cosima Higham, Joyce Novacek and Taylor Phillips combined for nearly 40 percent of the Bison's rebounds in 2009-10.
The new sophomore class made equally important contributions defensively as Alyssa Dunn, Lindsay Horbatuck, Felicia Mgbada and Rachel Voss recorded 83 steals, or 41.3 percent of the team's total. The two classes teamed up to amass 101 blocked shots, giving them more than 90 percent of Bucknell's rejections throughout the year.
Still Starting
Joyce Novacek has emerged as one of the team's most steady veterans. The senior has made 67 career starts, more than any other Bison on the roster. Novacek also has the squad's longest streak of consecutive starting assignments, having been among the top five in each of her last 53 games dating back to the Nov. 29, 2008 meeting at Loyola (Md.).
Assists Leader
Rachel Voss joined some rare company when she led the Bison in assists last year. The freshman became Bucknell's first rookie to post the team's high mark in assists since Molly Creamer tied Lori Houck with 107 during the 1999-2000 season. Voss finished her debut campaign with 66 assists.
Patriot League Postseason Honors
For the second consecutive year, Bucknell closed out the campaign with two players receiving postseason honors. Rachel Voss was named to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team, while Trisha Krewson earned second-team honors. Voss was the 16th Bison in program history to earn a spot among the league's top freshmen.
Putting Up 20-Plus
At the close of the 2009-10 season, Bucknell had received nine 20-point performances from five different players. Joyce Novacek, Cosima Higham, Trisha Krewson and Morgan Wrightson each had two games of at least 20 points, while Rachel Voss chipped in one against Colgate.
The last season that more Bison reached the 20-point mark in a single game came during 2005-06. Amanda Brown, Lindsey Hollobaugh, Jacquie Seawright, Lauren Schober, Hope Foster and Kesha Champion combined for nine 20-point games as well. Seawright is the only player in that group to not join the 1,000-point club at Bucknell.
Rejection City
Cosima Higham and Joyce Novacek will be looking to move up the record lists in blocked shots during the 2010-11 campaign. Novacek leads the duo on Bucknell's all-time rejections list with 85 blocked shots, ranking her sixth. Higham is eighth on the program ledger with 75. Both are also tied for sixth on the single-game blocks record list – Higham had six against Cornell, while Novacek turned away six opposite Colgate last January – and trail only all-time blocks leader Hope Foster and Ann Kirwin.
Community Impact
Over the years Bucknell women's basketball has strived to make a difference in the community. Among the Bison's efforts last season were their annual celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day and the WBCA Pink Zone in support of breast cancer education and awareness. Those programs will continue in 2010-11. Bucknell will also make several visits to local elementary schools and the Donald Heiter Community Center, take part in a pen pal program and more. The current team's support of the Lewisburg community began last summer as the Bison volunteered with the Lewisburg Lights and Kelly Mazzante 5K runs, as well as with the street fair at the Bucknell Bookstore's grand opening.
Patriot League Preseason Poll
Bucknell was picked eighth in the 2010-11 Patriot League Preseason Poll. American was picked first in the poll with 93 points, including nine first-place votes. The Eagles were followed closely by defending champion Lehigh with 91 points and seven first-place votes. Navy and Army rounded out the top half in third and fourth, respectively.
2010-11 Patriot League Preseason Poll
Team (First-place votes) Points
1. American (9) 93
2. Lehigh (7) 91
3. Navy 70
4. Army 59
5. Holy Cross 42
6. Colgate 40
7. Lafayette 40
8. Bucknell 31
Preseason All-Patriot League Team
Michelle Kirk, American (Player of the Year)
Angela Myers, Navy
Erin Anthony, Army
Erica Prosser, Lehigh
Liz Leer, American
Up Next
Bucknell will return to Sojka Pavilion on Sunday, Nov. 21 when they host Buffalo at 2 p.m. The Bison are 4-5 all-time against the Bulls, including 2-2 on their home court. Bucknell's last victory over Buffalo came by a score of 75-57 on Jan. 2, 2009, also at Sojka Pavilion.
