Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Army
Late Rally Leads Army Past Bucknell, 50-46
2/15/2015 6:39:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Army erased a 10-point second-half deficit on its way to a 50-46 win over Bucknell in Patriot League women's basketball action Sunday at Sojka Pavilion. The Bison dropped to 15-10 overall and 7-7 in the conference, while the Black Knights (19-5, 11-3 PL) remained one-game back of first-place American with their 10th straight victory.
Senior Audrey Dotson helped fuel a 6-0 run over a span of 1:22 to give Bucknell a 40-30 with 8:41 to play. The Bison scored on three straight possessions, starting with a layup by Dotson. She then assisted on a layup by freshman Jacquie Klotz and on a long jumper by junior Sheaira Jones.
The excitement of the double-digit lead was short lived, however, as Army cut the deficit in half with five points in 17 seconds. Daizjah Morris was fouled on a made jumper and connected on the free throw for a 3-point play. The Black Knights then stole the Bucknell inbounds pass, which led to a layup by Janae McNeal. Those five points were the start of a 20-6 advantage for the Black Knights over the final 8:12 of the game
With 51 seconds left in the game and Bucknell trailing 47-43, sophomore Megan McGurk hit a huge 3-pointer from the top of the key to bring the Bison within one. They forced an Army turnover on the ensuing possession, but gave it back with a turnover of their own on the other end of the court.
Bucknell was whistled for an intentional foul on Army's fast break attempt, sending Kelsey Minato to the line with 15 seconds remaining on the clock. A 90 percent free throw shooter this season, Minato hit both and the Black Knights got the ball back. With the shot clock turned off, the Bison were forced to foul, and Olivia Schretzman hit one of two free throws to ice the game.
Minato, a two-time Patriot League Player of the Year selection and the league's top scorer this season, led all scorers with 22 points on 6-of-15 shooting and a 10-of-11 mark from the line. She was the only Black Knights' player to reach double figures as the Bison held them to 34.9 percent shooting, including a 23.8 percent clip in the first half.
“When they had to play against our half-court defense I thought we were really good,” said Bucknell head coach Aaron Roussell. “We had a stretch during the second half where we gave up some right-handed drives, but other than that I thought we made them earn everything. Unfortunately we didn't take care of the ball very well today. That's been our Achilles' heel this season.”
Dotson led Bucknell in points with 16 and rebounds with nine. She was one of four Bison seniors honored prior to the game and joined the three others – Tara Wilk, Katherine Harris and Micki Impellizeri – in the starting lineup. McGurk started the 56th straight game to open her career and finished with 10 points. She was 2-for-2 from beyond the arc.
The Bison did their part defensively, especially in the first half. They led 22-15 at the break, with the 15 points being the fewest they have allowed in the opening half this season. For the game, they held the Black Knights to 13 points below their season average and finished with a 31-19 advantage on the boards.
Bucknell hits the road for a pair of games in the upcoming week. The Bison will travel to play Loyola (Md.) on Wednesday and to Boston University for a game on Saturday.
