Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Youngstown State
Bison Women's Basketball Offense Can't Keep Pace in 69-51 Loss at Youngstown State
12/29/2012 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Dec. 29, 2012
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Bucknell women's basketball suffered a second-half drought that ended its hopes of an eighth season win as it fell 69-51 to Youngstown State at the Beeghly Center on Saturday afternoon. Despite a team-best 12 points from Audrey Dotson (Vienna, Va./Flint Hill School) and Shelby Romine (Centreville, Va./Westfield), the Bison shot 7-for-19 from the floor in the second half to drop their record to 7-5 on the year.
Dotson had given Bucknell its first lead, 20-19, with a pull-up jumper at 7:21 in the opening frame, but that was short-lived. Youngstown State outscored the Bison 13-4 before halftime and the Bison failed to register a point in the final three minutes before the break.
Bucknell's shooting woes stretched into the second half. After going without a point in the final three minutes of the first half, the Bison went another 7:24 in the second before scoring from the field. That extended Youngstown State's run to 25-10 before Romine hit her jumper.
The only progress to that point for the Bison was from the free throw line, where they had been just 2-for-4 in the first half. They reopened play at a 6-for-6 clip during their drought and ultimately finished the game 14-for-17 (.824) at the line.
The struggles put Bucknell at .386 (17-44) overall from the field in the game. That included a .368 (7-19) average in the second half. Youngstown State shot considerably better at .519 (14-27) in the second half and .473 (26-55) for the game.
Streaky shooting on both sides was the story of the first half. Youngstown State kicked things off by making each of its first five field goals and four of those came from behind the 3-point arc. After three minutes of play, the Penguins had an 11-point lead. That was down to six at the first media timeout and with 9:20 left on the clock, it was just one at 17-16.
Karen Flagg had been the hot hand early for Youngstown State scoring 10 points in the first half, but all of those came in the first five minutes of play. With Flagg cooling off and the Penguins slowing down, Bucknell saw its opportunity. Although the Bison were unable to cash in on a handful of layups, Katherine Harris (Derry, N.H./Pinkerton Academy) hit her jumpers and six others tallied points in the next 10 minutes.
Bucknell was shooting 10-for-25 (.400) from the field after the first 20 minutes, just a notch behind Youngstown State at 12-for-28 (.429). After starting the game at 4-for-4 from behind the 3-point line, the Penguins went into the half at 5-for-15 (.333).
At halftime, Youngstown State led 32-24 with a large part of that advantage due to its ability to capitalize on Bucknell turnovers. The Penguins had an 11-1 lead in points off turnovers, and that grew to 20-5 by the final buzzer.
The Bison finished the game with 19 turnovers, 11 of which came in the second half. While Bucknell was still trying to get its offense going again in the second, Youngstown State was finding its rhythm. Brandi Brown tallied the Penguins' first seven points of the half and eventually led all players with 20. Although that offense slowed a bit as the game came to a close, it was enough to keep them comfortably in front and cruise to the 18-point win.
Joining Romine and Dotson in double-figure scoring was Harris. The sophomore tallied a personal-best 10 points in the first start of her career. Lindsay Horbatuck (Avon, Conn./Avon) led all players with eight rebounds as the Bison won the battle of the boards overall, 33-26.
For Youngstown State, Shar'Rae Davis had 15 points and Flagg finished with 12.
Bucknell will return home for its next game, a 7 p.m. matchup with Cornell on Jan. 2, 2013.
