Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Fordham
Bucknell Women's Basketball Takes 64-42 Blow at Fordham
11/17/2010 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 17, 2010
BRONX, N.Y. - A hot second-half start for Fordham and an inability to put the ball in the basket handed Bucknell women's basketball a 64-42 loss at Rose Hill Gym on Wednesday night. After leading by five at halftime, the Bison were outscored 42-17 in the final 20 minutes, evening their record at 1-1 in the young season.
The first few minutes of the second half looked as if fans were in store for another round of fast-pace play. Shelby Romine (Centreville, Va./Westfield) sank two early buckets, but the Bison did not hit another field goal until the 2:43 mark. Lindsay Horbatuck (Avon, Conn./Avon) broke a stretch of more than 15 minutes between field goals with a layup and a foul.
Fordham's pressure defense out of the gates took Bucknell out of its comfort zone, forcing the Bison into a rushed offense. Turnovers began to wreak havoc and Bucknell never found its rhythm. The Bison shot 3-for-14 in the second half.
While the Bison's offense was struggling, the Rams' was picking up steam. Nothing Bucknell did could slow their progress. After shooting 30 percent from the field in the first half, Fordham went 16-for-23 (.696) in the second and finished the game with a mark of .472.
A majority of Bucknell's points in the second half came from the free throw line. The Bison were 11 of 17 from the stripe down the stretch. They ended the night 16-for-23.
Bucknell did not show signs of such difficulty early in the first half, although a relatively high intensity level from both teams still did not lead to much offensive production. At the game's midway point, the score line read just 25-22 in favor of the Bison.
Bucknell's slow point production initially was partly a result of a tight Rams defense that kept Bucknell from getting clear looks down low. The Orange and Blue were also stingy with their shot selection, finishing the opening stanza 10-for-21 (.476) from the field and totaling 14 of their 25 points in the paint.
Romine led Bucknell with nine points in the game. Christina Chukwuedo (Monessen, Pa./Monessen) posted a career-best seven points and four assists. Joyce Novacek (Aliquippa, Pa./Hopewell) and Cosima Higham (Brooklyn, N.Y./Poly Prep Country Day) each had eight rebounds. Higham also finished with three blocked shots.
Tiffany Stokes led all players with 18 points, while Abigail Corning added 13, all in the second half.
Bucknell will be back in action on Sunday, Nov. 21 when they host Buffalo at 2 p.m. at Sojka Pavilion.
