Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Lehigh
Klotz's 10th Double-Double of the Season Leads Bison Past Lehigh, 67-54
2/10/2016 11:27:00 PM | Women's Basketball
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Sophomore guard Jacquie Klotz recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead Bucknell to a 67-54 win at Lehigh in a key Patriot League women's basketball game Wednesday at Stabler Arena.
Bucknell improved to 17-6 overall and 11-1 in the Patriot League, remaining in a tie with Army West Point for first place in the conference standings. The loss knocked third-place Lehigh (15-8, 8-4 PL) to three games back, and the Bison hold the tiebreaker with a sweep of the season series. Six games remain on the regular season schedule.
“It was a big win for us over a very good team on their floor,” said Bucknell head coach Aaron Roussell. “We will enjoy this one for a bit, but know we have a really tough one against Colgate at home on Saturday.”
Klotz was on fire from beyond the arc, hitting five of her eight attempts. She shot 62 percent from the field with an 8-for-13 night. Her 11 boards also helped Bucknell win the rebounding battle 40-29 between the top two teams in the conference in that category. The Bison held the nation's second leading rebounder, Lexi Martins, to just six boards, her lowest total of the season. It was only the second time she was held under double-digits.
Bucknell trailed 18-17 after one quarter, but took the lead for good with a 17-3 run to open the second quarter. Four players scored for the Bison during that stretch, including Klotz with five points.
That second-quarter run was indicative of the game as a whole for the Bison, who had numerous players contribute. Junior forward Claire DeBoer continued to be one of the most versatile players in the league, finishing with 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals, while senior guard Tyler Craig joined her with a solid all-around game of 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Freshman guard Kyi English scored 10 points to give the team four players in double-figures.
Despite the many contributions, Lehigh did manage to get back in the game, cutting the lead to five, 56-51, with 3:33 to play in regulation, but Bucknell went back up double-digits with a layup by junior forward Sune Swart and 3-point play by Klotz.
“I thought we came out really focused and were intent on playing well,” Roussell said. “We got some good looks early and were able to knock them down. Fortunately, we were able to play with a lead which may have put some added pressure on them to make plays. They struggled to make shots in a few key stretches, and we forced them into some turnovers that helped us control the pace during those periods.”
Unlike the first meeting this season when Bucknell had to erase a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter en route to a win in overtime, the Bison led Wednesday's game for all but 1:33. Lehigh held the lead for just 57 seconds.
Up next for Bucknell is a home game against Colgate on Saturday at 2 p.m. The Raiders dropped to 4-18 overall and 2-10 in the league with a 78-55 loss to Army West Point on Wednesday. The game will be the Bison's annual Play 4 Kay game, and fans are encouraged to wear pink.
DeBoer will look to become the program's 22nd player to eclipse the 1,000-point mark for her career on Saturday. She will enter the game with 999 points.
