Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
American
American Takes 54-43 Decision over Bucknell Women's Basketball
2/27/2013 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Feb. 27, 2013
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Shelby Romine (Centreville, Va./Westfield) tallied 11 points and Lindsay Horbatuck(Avon, Conn./Avon) added 11 rebounds in a 54-43 loss to American at Bender Arena on Wednesday night. The Bison head into the final regular-season game of the season this weekend with an overall record of 13-15 and at 4-9 in the Patriot League.
American pulled in front early with a couple of quick threes. The Eagles doubled their lead with their second long-range shot at 14:03, making the score 12-6.
While American was making its jumpers, Bucknell was getting looks in the paint and making trips to the free throw line. The layups were falling, but the Bison did end the half 5-for-7 from the stripe. It was a trend similar to previous games recently. The Eagles went to the line just twice in the opening stanza, shooting 2-for-4, and three of their players went into the break with two fouls on to their name.
American was able to get to the line with more frequency in the second half as it found more opportunities in the paint. Bucknell continued to get looks as well and benefited from going into the bonus with more than eight minutes left in the game. By the end of the game the Bison were 13-for-21 (.619) and the Eagles were 11-for-16 (.688) from the stripe.
In the last two games, Bucknell has out-shot its opponents at the free throw line by a combined 32-46 compared to 12-for-19 for opponents.
The Bucknell bench played an important role in the team's early offense. Felicia Mgbada(Edison, N.J./Blair Academy) had six points as a reserve to lead the team while the team's starters had combined for seven. Horbatuck had already grabbed eight rebounds by the time halftime rolled around and Bucknell had the 22-18 edge on the boards as a team despite trailing 30-15.
After being held scoreless in the first half, Romine got the Bison offense rolling after the break, scoring each of the team's first five points. She finished the night with the team's high total and was the only Bison in double figures. Mgbada totaled eight points by the final buzzer and Tyler Craig(Columbus, Ohio/St. Francis DeSales) tallied a career-best seven.
The Bison had briefly been able to cut into the Eagles' lead. Craig went to the line for two and reduced it to 10 with 12:10 to play, 36-26. A few minutes of cold offense for Bucknell didn't allow it to get it down to single digits, however,
Romine hit a couple more layups around the seven-minute mark and American's offense slowed just enough to give Bucknell some more hope down the stretch. The Bison went on a 9-2 run to draw back within 10 points. Again, free throw shooting on American's side kept it up by double figures through the end.
Geleisa George led all players with 17 points. Alexis Dobbs added 11 points and her six rebounds were a team high.
With the loss, the Bison can be seeded no higher than sixth in the Patriot League Tournament. Final standings will be determined on Saturday, the final day of the regular season. Bucknell it hosts Navy at 7 p.m. at Sojka Pavilion. The Bison will be celebrating Senior Night prior to the contest. Fans can also win prizes by playing Basketball Bingo during the game.
