Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Women's Basketball Gets Back to Work, Hosts Iona at Sojka Pavilion Saturday
12/17/2010 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 17, 2010
WHAT: Bucknell Bison (2-5) vs. Iona Gaels (2-6)
WHERE: Lewisburg, Pa., Sojka Pavilion
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 18, 7 p.m.
RADIO: WVBU 90.5, SportsJuice.com
VIDEO: BucknellBison.com 
LIVE STATS: BucknellBison.com 
Complete Game Notes 
ABOUT THE GAME
After a lengthy break for final exams, Bucknell returns to the court for on Saturday to host the Iona Gaels at 7 p.m. at Sojka Pavilion. Both teams are coming off losses and will be looking for their third win of the season.
The matchup between the Bison and the Gaels will be the 100th women's basketball game hosted in Sojka Pavilion. The contest has also been designated Take-A-Kid-to-the-Game Night. Kids receive free admission and will receive a free J.J. Jumper poster and ruler.
WITH A VICTORY OVER IONA, BUCKNELL WOULD...
► Improve to 3-1 on the season at Sojka Pavilion.
► Improve to 3-1 against opponents from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. The Bison previously defeated the MAAC's Rider (53-48) Niagara (69-62), and lost to Loyola (59-55).
► Snap a three-game skid against the Gaels. Bucknell's last win over Iona was in 2005.
► Avoid its second three game losing streak of the season. The Bison's last win came on Nov. 28 opposite Niagara at Sojka Pavilion.
LAST MEETING - NOV. 15, 2009
► Iona 62, Bucknell 55 (Hynes Center)
► Three Bison reached double-digit scoring, including Cosima Higham with a team-best 15 points, in their second game of the Iona Tip-off Tournament. Higham also led the squad with eight rebounds and was eventually named to the all-tournament team.
► Bucknell committed 13 turnovers in the opening half as Iona forced the issue with a full-court press and up-tempo play. The Bison still went into halftime with a three-point lead, however.
► A flat start to start the second half put Bucknell in a difficult spot as Iona continued its quick play. At eight minutes, the Bison found themselves trailing by their biggest deficit to that point at 43-36. Turnovers, fouls and a nearly five-minute scoring drought made the hole deeper.
► Bucknell still managed to shoot nearly 46 percent from the field in the second half. Increased intensity led to a bit of a scoring spurt in the final six minutes to help with that mark. Trisha Krewson posted seven points during that stretch and brought the Bison to within three points with less than a minute left, but the Gaels hit their free throws down the stretch, and Bucknell came up short in the end.
QUICK FACTS
Shelby Romine, Joyce Novacek and Cosima Higham each have two career 20-plus scoring games ... Lindsay Horbatuck claimed her first career double-double at Loyola (Md.) on Dec. 1 ... Novacek was one basket and one rebound shy of her first career 20-20 game when she led Bucknell with 18 points and 19 rebounds at Loyola ... Bucknell is 2-1 in games this season when three players reach double-digit scoring ... Romine has four of Bucknell's five highest point totals this season (22 at UMBC, 21 vs. Buffalo, 19 vs. Niagara, 17 vs. Rider) ... Romine led Bucknell in scoring in four of her first five collegiate games, including a 21-point performance vs. Buffalo on Nov. 21 ... Christina Chukwuedo led Bucknell in assists in each of the first four games this season and has a team-best 1.2 assist/turnover ratio ... Higham at least shared the team rebounding lead in four of the first five games this season ... Romine was named the Patriot League/Anaconda Rookie of the Week on Nov. 15 and Nov. 22 ... Novacek claimed her 10th career double vs. Rider on Nov. 12, while Higham earned her 10th vs. Niagara on Nov. 28 ... six of Rachel Voss' eight double-digit scoring performances have come at Sojka Pavilion ... Bucknell was picked eighth in the 2010-11 Patriot League Preseason Poll.
HISTORY VS. IONA
► Iona may have a 4-2 series advantage, but the scoring margin between the two squads could hardly be closer. The Gaels have scored an average of 1.7 points more than the Bison over their first six meetings. Bucknell's largest margin of victory is 24 points (Jan. 2005), while Iona's is 18 (1992).
► On Jan. 4, 2004, Desire Almind recorded one of the best all-around performances by a Bison in a game against Iona. As a senior, Almind finished with 29 points, 20 rebounds and four blocked shots. The outing marked Bucknell's only double-double and the only double-figure rebounding total against Iona.
► Lindsey Hollobaugh posted one of Bucknell's best career-long stretches opposite Iona. The former Bison averaged 16.8 points in four games against the Gaels, including a 19-point performance in 2004. With 18 points on Jan. 3, 2005 and Jan. 3, 2007 as well, Hollobaugh has three of Bucknell's top four point totals in series history.
► Bucknell put five players in double-digit scoring when it took on Iona on Jan. 3, 2005. Among them were Lindsey Hollobaugh (18 pts.), Rachel Hanley (14), Brooke Tomovich (14), Emilie Barruet (10) and Hope Foster (10). The Bison went on to win that contest, 90-66.
► Iona's three-game winning streak is the longest by either team in series history.
► Recent Results:
Jan. 4, 2004 Bucknell, 86-76
Jan. 3, 2005 Bucknell, 90-66
Nov. 20, 2005 Iona, 75-58
Jan. 3, 2007 Iona, 45-44
Nov. 15, 2009 Iona, 62-55
ABOUT THE GAELS
Iona will play its fourth straight and its seventh game in nine outings on the road when it travels to Sojka Pavilion on Saturday. The Gaels have struggled away from their Hynes Center, posting a 2-6 record overall. Iona's victories this winter have come over Brown (76-67) and Stony Brook (71-67), although its most recent contest ended in a loss to No. 15/20 Michigan State (85-51) last Sunday.
After finishing runner-up in the MAAC Championship last season, the Gaels were picked second in the conference's preseason poll. Anda Ivkovic and Kristina Ford, who are leading the team in scoring and rebounding, respectively, were picked to the Preseason All-MAAC Second Team, while the Gaels' leading assists-getter Suzi Fregosi was a third-team selection.
LAST TIME OUT
When Bucknell last played nearly two weeks ago, the team suffered a second-half letdown that ultimately led to a six-point loss, 63-57 at UMBC. The Bison led by 11 points with nine minutes remaining in the contest, but the Retrievers had a near-perfect outing from the free throw line that put the win in their favor. UMBC was 18 of 20 from the line in the game and 14 of 16 in the second half. Shelby Romine recorded her second career game with more than 20 points, tallying 22 to lead the Bison.
ODDS & ENDS
► Three Bison have combined for four double-doubles on the year. Joyce Novacek has two, while Cosima Higham and Lindsay Horbatuck each has one.
► Six Bison are shooting 40 percent or better from the field this season, including Cosima Higham (.484), Felicia Mgbada (.476), Lindsay Horbatuck (.458), Joyce Novacek (.438), Christina Chukwuedo (.429) and Shelby Romine (.406).
► Bucknell has outscored its opponents in second chance points, 85-61, through the team's first seven games.
► Both of Bucknell's wins this season have come by single digits. The Bison defeated Rider by five (53-48) and Niagara by seven (69-62).
► Of the 10 Bison to see game action this season, all of them have made at least one trip to the free throw line, all of them have scored and all of them have at least one rebound.
► Before their games with the Bison, Bucknell's first eight opponents had a combined record of 6-28 (Rider 0-0, Fordham 1-1, Buffalo 1-2, Youngstown State 0-3, Niagara 0-4, Loyola 0-5, UMBC 2-5, Iona 2-6).
► Three Bison recorded more than seven career highs at UMBC on Dec. 4. Among them were Felicia Mgbada and Alyssa Dunn with four assists each.
LET'S TAKE IT OUTSIDE
Helping Shelby Romine to her 22-point performance at UMBC on Dec. 4 was her 6-for-12 shooting from 3-point distance. The six made shots tie her for fifth with Kate Franks on Bucknell's single-game list, while the 12 attempts tie her for third with Molly Creamer, Franks, Lauren Schober and Trisha Krewson.
Bucknell's single-game record for 3-pointers made is eight, set by Creamer vs. Army on Jan. 6, 2002 and Krewson vs. Lycoming on Dec. 30, 2009.
RETRIEVING PERSONAL BESTS
Shelby Romine was not the only Bison to reach career milestones against UMBC. Alyssa Dunn earned her first starting assignment for the Orange and Blue and set personal bests in free throws made (5) and attempted (8) as well as assists (4). Her 11 points also extended her scoring streak to seven contests, which ties her personal record set during the first seven games of last season.
Other high marks for the Bison opposite the Retrievers were Felicia Mgbada's career-best four assists and season-best seven points. Taylor Phillips also had a season-high six rebounds, and her three steals were the most for the senior since she recorded six against Holy Cross as a freshman in 2008.
WHEN 22 GIVES YOU TWO
With a career-best 22 points at UMBC on Dec. 4 and 21 points vs. Buffalo on Nov. 21, Shelby Romine joins the list of recent Bison to record at least two 20-point games during the same season as Joyce Novacek, Cosima Higham and Trisha Krewson each achieved the feat twice last year. The last Bucknellian to have at least three 20-point games in the same campaign was Amanda Brown, who posted seven in 2008-09. Brown was also the last Bison freshman with more than two 20-point games.
SOJKA CENTURY
Bucknell women's basketball will play its 100th game at Sojka Pavilion when it hosts Iona this weekend. Since the facility opened during the 2002-03 season, the Bison are 61-38 (.616) and have seven winning records on their home court.
HOME SWEET HOME
Having played more than 30 games apiece during their careers at Sojka Pavilion, Joyce Novacek and Cosima Higham are starting to move up the facility record lists. Novacek is second on her home court in rebounds (262) and blocked shots (40), while Higham is tied for third in blocks (30).
Both are looking to ink their names to even more lists as well. Novacek is four free throw attempts shy of tying former teammate Lauren Schober for fifth on the ledger with 94. She also needs to play in seven games and make five more starts to move into the top five. With 217 rebounds at Sojka Pavilion, Higham is six boards shy of tying Desire Almind for fifth as well.
REST & RELAXATION
By the time Bucknell plays Iona on Saturday, the Bison will have been away from competition for 13 days. The Orange and Blue have had layoffs of 13 or more days 19 times since the 1980-81 season.
► Bucknell has had little luck in its first game back in those 19 seasons, posting a 5-14 record. The last time the Bison won its first game after the final exam break was in 2005-06 when they beat Maryland-Eastern Shore 93-92 in triple overtime.
► In games won, they have done so by an average of 11.8 points, but contests lost have come by 17.5 points per game.
► The team's biggest win after a hiatus came on Jan. 1, 1987. After being off for 22 days, Bucknell defeated Furman 92-62. The Bison's biggest loss came on Jan. 2, 1991 when they came back from 22 days off to fall 114-63 at Wake Forest.
► After their 13-day break last season, the Bison lost 67-54 at Drexel on Dec. 21, 2009. Their previous game had been a 59-48 loss at Towson.
► The longest break between games in program history came during the 1978-79 season. Bucknell lost 63-57 to Indiana (Pa.) on Dec. 2, then returned 41 days later on Jan. 13 to defeat Messiah 77-68.
ONE POINT AT A TIME
Bucknell put three players in double-digit scoring at Loyola (Md.) on Dec. 1 - Joyce Novacek (18), Shelby Romine (13) and Lindsay Horbatuck (11). Novacek and Horbatuck reached their totals the hard way, earning most of their points from the free throw line. In 37 minutes of play, Novacek was 10 of 14 from the charity stripe and just 4 of 6 from the floor. Horbatuck saw 19 minutes of action and went 5 of 6 from the free throw line. The sophomore was also 3-for-4 from the field.
As a team, Bucknell finished the game 16 of 24 (.667) from the free throw line.
NOVACEK KNOCKS GREYHOUNDS
Joyce Novacek seems to like playing Loyola (Md.). Throughout her career, the senior forward has averaged 11.8 points and 10.0 rebounds against the Greyhounds. After failing to register a single point or rebound in the teams' meeting as a freshman, Novacek went on to claim double-doubles in each of the next three matchups, including her performance this year on Dec. 1 that ended in a season-best 18 points and a career-high 19 boards.
GETTING IT DUNN
Alyssa Dunn has been picking up steam steadily during her sophomore season and recently put together the best performance of her young career. Through the first four games this winter, the guard combined for 21 points on 9 of 30 shooting (.300). Against Niagara on Nov. 28, Dunn netted a career-best 16 points on 7 of 14 shooting (.500) to go along with a personal-best six rebounds. As a freshman, Dunn averaged 1.9 points. Now in her second year with the Orange and Blue, she is third on the squad in scoring with 7.3 points per game.
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).
TURNING THEM AWAY
After not registering a blocked shot in the first game of the season, Cosima Higham is trying to make up for lost time. Since the season opener vs. Rider, the senior has eight blocks, including a season-best three vs. Buffalo and at Youngstown State. Higham now has 83 rejections in her career, ranking seventh all-time at Bucknell and four shy of sixth place.
Joyce Novacek tallied a pair of blocked shots vs. Niagara on Nov. 28. The outing moved her into fifth place and she has since improved her total to 90 career rejections.
POWERFUL PAINT PLAY
Bucknell showed off its inside game at Youngstown State on Nov. 24. Forty of the Bison's 57 points came in the paint, compared to just 24 points inside for the Penguins. It was Bucknell's first time outscoring its opponent in the paint since its season-opening win vs. Rider.
UPS AND DOWNS
After shooting .720 (18-for-25) from the free throw line against Rider on Nov. 12, the Bison saw their opportunities at the charity stripe decline in each of the next three contests. After facing the Broncs, Bucknell shot .696 (16-for-23) against Fordham, .563 (9-for-16) against Buffalo and .357 (5-for-14) at Youngstown State.
It has been a different story from the field. After shooting .321 against Rider, Bucknell has steadily improved its percentage with each game, finishing at .453 opposite Niagara on Nov. 28.
BREAK OUT
Cosima Higham got off to a bit of slow start in her senior campaign, making just one field goal in each of her first three games. The senior forward broke out of her slump at Youngstown State, shooting 6-for-9 from the field for a team-best 12 points and her first double-digit scoring night of the season. Higham followed that up with her first double-double of the season vs. Niagara, recording 11 points and 10 rebounds in the win.
HOT OFF THE BENCH
Bucknell took a three-point lead into halftime against Youngstown State on Nov. 24, and a key to that early success was the shooting off the bench. As two of the game's first subs, Cosima Higham and Alyssa Dunn combined for 13 of the team's 15 bench points in the first half. Dunn contributed seven to the cause, tying her career high set at Lehigh last season.
That trend continued against Niagara in the next contest as Bucknell's reserves outscored Niagara's 41-11 in the contest. Dunn and Higham combined for 27 points off the bench, while Taylor Phillips added another seven.
POINTS OFF THE BENCH
Rider 21, Bucknell 11
Fordham 26, Bucknell 16
Buffalo 25, Bucknell 16
Youngstown State 30, Bucknell 27
Bucknell 41, Niagara 11
Bucknell 14, Loyola (Md.) 2
Bucknell 7, UMBC 6
ROMINE TOP ROOKIE ... AGAIN
Shelby Romine became the first Bison to cop Patriot League honors when she was named the league's Rookie of the Week on Nov. 15. She repeated the feat on Nov. 22 when she was voted the Rookie of the Week for a second consecutive voting period, making her the sixth player in league history to be named the top newcomer in each of the season's first two weeks.
Romine's most recent honor came after averaging 15.0 points and 4.5 rebounds against Fordham and Buffalo. The freshman posted a career-high 21 points against the Bulls on Nov. 21 to give her the team lead in scoring for the third consecutive game. The guard's first award came just days after recording a squad-best 17 points and five assists against Rider. Romine earned the start in her first collegiate game and played 38 minutes opposite the Broncs.
RARE ROOKIE COMPANY
With her 21 points against Buffalo on Nov. 21, Shelby Romine became the first Bison this season and the fourth freshman in five years to reach the 20-point plateau. She surpassed that total at UMBC, totalling 22 points. Other Bucknellians who have scored at least 20 points in a game during their rookie campaigns include Romine's teammate Rachel Voss (20 vs. Colgate, Jan. 23, 2010), Morgan Wrightson (20 vs. Wofford, Dec. 19, 2008), Amanda Brown (20 at UMES, Dec. 17, 2005; 22 at Buffalo, Dec. 28, 2005; 21 at Navy, Jan. 7, 2006) and Lauren Schober (22 at American, Jan. 10, 2006; 21 at Colgate, Feb. 4, 2006).
Including Romine, 21 freshmen have scored at least 20 points in 69 games in program history. Leading the group are Lindsey Hollobaugh (2003-07), Molly Creamer (1999-2003) and Jane Meyer (1982-84) who each had nine 20-point performances as rookies.
FRESHMAN FEAT
Through Bucknell's first three games this season, the same name appeared atop the scoring column. Shelby Romine posted the team's highest point total in the first outings, tallying 17 against Rider, nine at Fordham and 21 against Buffalo. No other single Bison freshman has ever led the team in scoring in each of her first three contests.
During the 1975-76 season, which was Bucknell's third sponsoring women's basketball as a varsity sport, freshmen led the team in scoring in every game. No single player posted the high mark in three consecutive games, however. The 1975-76 roster was comprised of six freshmen, three sophomores and two juniors.
PHILLIPS OFF THE BENCH
After going scoreless in her first two 2010-11 appearances, senior Taylor Phillips connected for five points in 15 minutes off the bench against Buffalo. Phillips was 2-for-6 from the field, including 1-for-2 from 3-point distance against the Bulls. Phillips went on to score two points at Youngstown State and seven vs. Niagara in the next two contests.
The last time the guard recorded a three-game scoring streak came in 2008-09. Phillips scored in four straight games during the second round of Patriot League play that season.
THE LAST TIME THAT HAPPENED, WE WON
After taking a three-point lead at halftime against Fordham on Nov. 17, Bucknell fell flat offensively in the second half and shot 3-for-14 (.214) from the field in the final 20 minutes. The last time a Bison squad made just three field goals in a single half was on Jan. 20, 1993. Bucknell played Army in Davis Gym and went 3-for-26 (.115) in the first half. Despite the poor shooting, the 1993 Bison took a 16-14 lead into halftime and ended the night with a 51-37 victory over the Black Knights. The difference came at the free throw line as Bucknell made 25 of 35 attempts, including 15 of 18 from Bucknell Hall of Famer Lisa Fink, compared to 5-for-15 shooting for Army.
SCORING STRUGGLES
It has not been as long as you might think since Bucknell scored as few as 17 points in a single half. Prior to suffering their scoring drought against Fordham on Nov. 17, the Bison posted 17 points in the second half against Lehigh on Feb. 24 and Holy Cross on Jan. 16 as well as in the first half against Lehigh on Jan. 27 last season.
KEEPING THEM OFF THE GLASS
For the first time this season, Bucknell outrebounded its opponent, winning the battle on the glass against Fordham, 31-25. The Bison held foes to 25 or fewer rebounds eight times last season. Lycoming struggled the most, grabbing just 21 total rebounds on Dec. 30.
Bucknell also limited Fordham to seven offensive boards. That happened on five occasions during the 2009-10 season with the fewest being five against Navy on Feb. 6.
STILL STARTING
Joyce Novacek has emerged as one of the team's most steady veterans. The senior has made 73 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 59 games dating back to the Nov. 29, 2008 meeting at Loyola (Md.).
NOT-SO-SHARP SHOOTING
After their first two games, the Bison were just 1 of 6 from 3-point range. The 2004-05 squad had similar shooting performances in its season debuts, combining for 1-for-9 from behind the arc against Florida International and Texas A&M. That team broke open the scoring in their third game, shooting 4-for-19 against Cornell. Following that trend, the current Bison pulled out of their funk by shooting 4-for-8 from 3-point distance opposite Buffalo on Nov. 21.
DEFENSIVE POWER
Bucknell held Rider to .298 shooting from the field (17-57) on Nov. 12, 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).
ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Bucknell continued to excel in the classroom during 2009-10. As a team, the Bison were ranked 14th nationally 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 198-184 record with the Orange and Blue, good for a .518 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.
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.
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 575 career rebounds. The senior has a shot at cracking the program's all-time top-10 list in boards this year, needing just 103 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).
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 the court on Dec. 21 when it travels to Spartanburg, S.C., to take on Wofford at 4 p.m. The Bison and the Terriers have met just one other time in program history. Bucknell took the win in that contest, defeating Wofford 74-66 on Dec. 19, 2008.
