Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Navy
Slagus Scores Career-High 21 to Lead Bucknell Past Navy, 51-41
12/30/2015 9:30:00 PM | Women's Basketball
ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Bucknell was looking for someone to step up offensively in the second half of Wednesday night's Patriot League opener at Navy's Alumni Hall, and a pair of freshmen answered the call to lead the Bison to a 51-41 win. Forward Kaitlyn Slagus tallied a career-high 21 points, and Kyi English finished with nine in the first Patriot League game for both players.
Just one game after losing the rebounding battle for the first time all season, Bucknell returned to its dominance on the boards. The Bison finished with a 39-19 advantage, helping them overcome 28 turnovers and improve to 7-5 on the year. Junior forward Claire DeBoer and sophomore guard Jacquie Klotz led all players with nine rebounds apiece. DeBoer added 13 points and one steal, giving her at least one steal in all 12 games this season.
“It was a great effort, especially in the second half. We said at halftime that it didn't have to be a grind-it-out- game and that we needed to just keep getting stops,” said Bucknell head coach Aaron Roussell. “Kyi and Slagus came up big in the second half hitting those shots, but that's what happens when you move the ball around. I was very pleased with our offense in the second half.”
Slagus scored 17 of her points in the second half, including 13 straight Bucknell points between the third and fourth quarters. She had two layups in the final 1:47 of the third to help the Bison take a 29-26 lead. She then scored nine points on a 3-point play and two 3-pointers over three straight possessions in the opening 2:08 of the fourth to put the Bison up 38-28.
After a jumper by Navy's Bianca Roach cut the lead to eight, it was English's turn. She hit 3-pointers on back-to-back possessions, lifting Bucknell to a 44-32 lead. She later delivered a nice pass to set up Slagus for a layup to up the lead to 13. The duo helped the Bison finish with a 33-12 advantage in points off the bench.
Bucknell scored 29 points through the first three quarters before erupting for 22 in the fourth. After shooting 36 percent (12-33) through three quarters, the Bison shot 78 percent (7-9) in the final 10 minutes. Slagus finished 8-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-3 from beyond the arc, while English's points came on 3-of-5 shooting from long range. DeBoer was 5-for-8 from the field and hit all three of her free throws. She has made 14 consecutive foul shots over the past four games.
Buzzer beaters at the end of the first and second quarters helped Bucknell take a 22-20 lead into halftime. Junior guard Megan McGurk drove to the hoop and scored in the final second of the first quarter to give her team a 12-6 lead. DeBoer just beat the buzzer at the end of the first half with a rebound and putback to give the Bison a two-point edge.
The Bison had 16 turnovers at the half and 25 after three quarters. They turned the ball over just three times in the fourth quarter.
Bucknell never trailed in the game and held Navy to just 34 percent shooting. Taylor Dunham paced the Mids with nine points, while Ashanti Kennedy was right behind her with eight,
The Bison return to action Saturday when they host preseason Patriot League favorite Army West Point at Sojka Pavilion. The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip.
