Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
2-2,0-0Patriot
Quinnipiac
1-2,0-0MAAC
Comeback Effort Falls Short as Women’s Basketball Falls to Hot-Shooting Bobcats
11/16/2019 3:59:00 PM | Women's Basketball
HAMDEN, Conn. - Ellie Mack scored a career-high 33 points and sank three from the arc, but it wasn't enough as defending MAAC champion Quinnipiac came away with the 76-69 victory in non-conference women's basketball Saturday in the People's United Center.
After trialing by as many as 12 points in the third quarter, Bucknell (2-2) pulled within four with under two minutes remaining in the contest. Mack scored 21 of her 33 points in the second half and made several key baskets in the fourth that kept the Bison within range of the lead. However, Quinnipiac (1-2) made enough shots down the stretch to stave off a Bison comeback.
The Bobcats came out aggressive in the first quarter, forcing three early turnovers and taking a 14-5 lead before the first media timeout. The Bison responded well, putting together an 8-2 run that brought them within three. By the end of the first, Bucknell trailed by just two despite the Bobcats sinking three 3-pointers. Bucknell shot 66.7 percent in the first with the help of a 3-for-3 start from Mack.
Mack kicked off the second quarter with a made 3-pointer that put her at 4-for-4 and gave the Bison a 24-23 lead. But Bucknell's shooting began to cool off, as they ended the second quarter shooting 23.5 percent and 1-for-7 from deep. On the other side, the Bobcats shot 53.3 percent in the second and 60 percent from beyond the arc, adding nine more points on threes. Bucknell entered halftime trailing 40-29.
The third quarter was Bucknell's best from a scoring standpoint, as they hung 21 on the board on 9-of-16 shooting. The Bobcats led by 12 with 1:31 in the third quarter before a Mack layup and a made jumper from Marly Walls cut the deficit to single digits heading into the fourth.
Bucknell slowly whittled away at the Quinnipiac lead throughout the fourth, but never got closer than four. Mack hit her third 3-pointer with 24 seconds left to make it a 73-69 game, but Quinnipiac added three more free throws to seal it.
Mack was joined in double-figures by Abby Kapp, who scored 13 with three made triples as well. Ally Johnson was next, with seven points, six rebounds, and four steals. As a team, the Bison shot 45.3 percent and turned Quinnipiac over 15 times.
Bucknell will be back in action on Wednesday, Nov. 20 for a home game against the Temple Owls. It's the first time the two teams have met since the 1992-93 season. Wednesday's game is set for 6 p.m. and will be broadcast on the Patriot League Network.
