Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
Navy
Bison Set School Record for Wins in a Season with 64-52 Triumph Over Navy
2/27/2016 10:25:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Bucknell women's basketball set a program record for wins in a season with a 64-52 victory over Navy on Saturday at Sojka Pavilion. The Bison won for the eighth straight game, improving to 22-6 overall and 16-1 in the Patriot League.
The Bison were just 6-5 after wrapping up their non-conference schedule, but have used two eight-game winning streaks during the league season to propel them to the school record for victories. Their play at home has been a huge reason for the record. The Bison are 13-1 at Sojka Pavilion this season. That bodes well for their first round playoff game at home on Monday, March 7.
With one game left in the regular season, Bucknell is tied with Army West Point for first place in the Patriot League standings. It can clinch at least a tie for the regular season title with a win at Lafayette on Wednesday, and could win the league outright and grab the first seed in the conference tournament with a win and a Black Knights loss.
Tyler Craig was one of a trio of seniors honored prior to Saturday's game, joining Sheaira Jones and Claire Maree O'Bryan, and made the most of her time in the spotlight. She finished with 11 points, but eight of those came in the first quarter when Bucknell jumped out to a 23-7 lead. O'Bryan contributed with two points and two assists, and Jones tallied four points.
The three seniors also set a school record by winning the 71st game of their careers. The 2009 class was the previous record holder with 70 career wins.
Navy made a couple of nice runs to cut the lead to single-digits in the third quarter and again in the fourth quarter, but Bucknell was never really in danger after the quick start, which Roussell credited to the energy around the seniors final regular season home game. Craig, whose career high is 14 points, scored her eight in the opening quarter on 3-of-5 shooting. In all the Bison had five players score in the first 10 points, including freshman Kaitlyn Slagus with five points four points apiece by junior Claire DeBoer and sophomore Jacquie Klotz.
DeBoer ranks in the top 10 in the Patriot League in an array of categories and showed why against Navy, finishing with 16 points, five assists and a steal. She has at least one steal in 27 of 28 games this season. DeBoer also led the Bison as they tallied 30 points in the paint.
The Bison didn't spend much time at the foul line, but they did convert all six of their attempts. They also finished with a 33-27 advantage on the boards to win the rebounding battle in 27 of 28 games this season. Klotz, who ranks fifth nationally among guards in rebounding, led the way with 12.
Klotz came up just short of a double-double with nine points. She hit one 3-pointer to tie Kate Franks single-season record of 66 set in 2002-03.
Danielle Poblarp was the lone Navy player in double-figures with her 11 points. The Bison held the Mids to 19-of-55 shooting (35 percent).
Bucknell closes the regular season at Lafayette on Wednesday at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast in select markets by the American Sports Network.
