Saturday, March 2
Washington, D.C.
2 p.m.
Bucknell University
24-5, 15-2PL
65
at
64
American
19-9, 15-2PL
1
2
3
4
F
Bucknell
18
18
17
12
65
American
21
13
17
13
64
Women's Basketball Back in First After 65-64 Win at American
3/2/2019 5:18:00 PM | Women's Basketball
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Bucknell women's basketball saw its game go down to the final possession for the second time in three contests, but this time the opponent's final shot missed as the Bison hung on for a 65-64 win over American on Saturday at Bender Arena. Kaitlyn Slagus recorded her 30th career double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds, helping the Bison improve to 24-5 overall and 15-2 in the Patriot League.
Bucknell moved into a tie with American for first place in the league standings with one game to play. The Bison can clinch the top seed and hosting rights for all of their games in the Patriot League Tournament with a win over Army West Point on Wednesday at Sojka Pavilion or an American loss to Navy.
"Wow, that was an incredible college basketball game," Bucknell head coach Aaron Roussell said. "Both teams had players make big plays. Fortunately, we were able to get some stops late in the game to preserve the win."
Bucknell trailed 62-61 until Abby Kapp hit a short pull-up jumper to give her team a 63-62 edge with 51 seconds to play. The Bison made two defensive stops before Kyi English drained two clutch free throws to up the lead to 65-62. Bucknell did an outstanding job guarding the perimeter on the ensuing possession, forcing American to go in for a layup by Indeya Sanders with 2.2 seconds left.
Trailing by one, American used their last timeout following the bucket, and Bucknell used one right after to advance the ball. The Eagles' tipped the inbounds pass and gained possession, but the clock didn't start when the ball was first touched. After review, the Eagles were given the ball at midcourt with 1.2 seconds to play. Their deep contested three was off the mark.
"Our players stepped up," Roussell said. "We asked them to make plays late in the game and they did."
For a moment, the end of the game seemed eerily familiar to Bucknell's game at Holy Cross just one week ago when the Crusaders won on a buzzer-beating desperation heave. But this time the Bison survived to keep their regular-season title hopes alive. If they are able to get at least a share of the regular season championship, it would be their third in the last four seasons.
Abby Kapp scored a team-high 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Ellie Mack tallied 13 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, while Kate Walker chipped in with 11 points and four boards in just 18 minutes because of foul trouble.
American, which had won 15-straight games after losing its league opener to Bucknell on Jan. 3, dropped to 19-9 overall and 15-2 in the conference. Indeya Sanders led the Eagles with 15 points off the bench.
Slagus, who was questionable to play during the week after an injury against Navy on Wednesday, stepped up big in a game that featured two of the best players in the conference. Both Slagus and Cecily Carl were Preseason All-Patriot League selection and both will be candidates for the Player of the Year award. Like Slagus, Carl can score from anywhere on the court. She finished with 14 points and was a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. Slagus made a pair of 3-pointers in the game.
Neither team led by double-digits and the largest lead by either team in the fourth quarter was just four points by American with 4:14 to play.
Multiple players stepped up in the second half as Bucknell won despite playing a large chunk of time without Walker. She picked up her fourth foul with over seven minutes left in the third and sat for the remainder of the quarter. She fouled with 2:55 left in regulation with the scored tied at 60-all.
Walker made the most of her time on the court, though, hitting five of her eight shots from the field, including her only 3-point attempt. It was her seventh-straight game with double-digit points.
Freshman Taylor O'Brien came up big with seven points in 15 minutes. Mack also helped Bucknell stay afloat without one if its star players, staying on the court for a career-high 37 minutes.
Kyi English, one of the seniors that are a part of the winningest senior class in program history, led Bucknell's defensive effort with three of the team's 11 steals.
"We wanted this one badly for our seniors," Roussell said. "I am thrilled for them that they have a chance to play for a conference championship on Wednesday and earn another banner."
Bucknell and Army West Point will tip off at Sojka Pavilion at 6 p.m. The Black Knights are 11-17 overall and 6-11 in the league after losses to Lehigh (55-46), Colgate (85-80), and Boston University (67-42).
Bucknell 6, Colgate 1
3/2/19 at Syracuse, N.Y. (Drumlins Country Club)
Bucknell moved into a tie with American for first place in the league standings with one game to play. The Bison can clinch the top seed and hosting rights for all of their games in the Patriot League Tournament with a win over Army West Point on Wednesday at Sojka Pavilion or an American loss to Navy.
"Wow, that was an incredible college basketball game," Bucknell head coach Aaron Roussell said. "Both teams had players make big plays. Fortunately, we were able to get some stops late in the game to preserve the win."
Bucknell trailed 62-61 until Abby Kapp hit a short pull-up jumper to give her team a 63-62 edge with 51 seconds to play. The Bison made two defensive stops before Kyi English drained two clutch free throws to up the lead to 65-62. Bucknell did an outstanding job guarding the perimeter on the ensuing possession, forcing American to go in for a layup by Indeya Sanders with 2.2 seconds left.
Trailing by one, American used their last timeout following the bucket, and Bucknell used one right after to advance the ball. The Eagles' tipped the inbounds pass and gained possession, but the clock didn't start when the ball was first touched. After review, the Eagles were given the ball at midcourt with 1.2 seconds to play. Their deep contested three was off the mark.
"Our players stepped up," Roussell said. "We asked them to make plays late in the game and they did."
For a moment, the end of the game seemed eerily familiar to Bucknell's game at Holy Cross just one week ago when the Crusaders won on a buzzer-beating desperation heave. But this time the Bison survived to keep their regular-season title hopes alive. If they are able to get at least a share of the regular season championship, it would be their third in the last four seasons.
Abby Kapp scored a team-high 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting. Ellie Mack tallied 13 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks, while Kate Walker chipped in with 11 points and four boards in just 18 minutes because of foul trouble.
American, which had won 15-straight games after losing its league opener to Bucknell on Jan. 3, dropped to 19-9 overall and 15-2 in the conference. Indeya Sanders led the Eagles with 15 points off the bench.
Slagus, who was questionable to play during the week after an injury against Navy on Wednesday, stepped up big in a game that featured two of the best players in the conference. Both Slagus and Cecily Carl were Preseason All-Patriot League selection and both will be candidates for the Player of the Year award. Like Slagus, Carl can score from anywhere on the court. She finished with 14 points and was a perfect 4-for-4 from beyond the arc. Slagus made a pair of 3-pointers in the game.
Neither team led by double-digits and the largest lead by either team in the fourth quarter was just four points by American with 4:14 to play.
Multiple players stepped up in the second half as Bucknell won despite playing a large chunk of time without Walker. She picked up her fourth foul with over seven minutes left in the third and sat for the remainder of the quarter. She fouled with 2:55 left in regulation with the scored tied at 60-all.
Walker made the most of her time on the court, though, hitting five of her eight shots from the field, including her only 3-point attempt. It was her seventh-straight game with double-digit points.
Freshman Taylor O'Brien came up big with seven points in 15 minutes. Mack also helped Bucknell stay afloat without one if its star players, staying on the court for a career-high 37 minutes.
Kyi English, one of the seniors that are a part of the winningest senior class in program history, led Bucknell's defensive effort with three of the team's 11 steals.
"We wanted this one badly for our seniors," Roussell said. "I am thrilled for them that they have a chance to play for a conference championship on Wednesday and earn another banner."
Bucknell and Army West Point will tip off at Sojka Pavilion at 6 p.m. The Black Knights are 11-17 overall and 6-11 in the league after losses to Lehigh (55-46), Colgate (85-80), and Boston University (67-42).
Bucknell 6, Colgate 1
3/2/19 at Syracuse, N.Y. (Drumlins Country Club)
| Singles competition |
| 1. Daniela Bellini (BUCKNELL) def. Mackenzie Deeter (COLGATE) 7-5, 6-1 |
| 2. Cayla Koch (BUCKNELL) def. Lauren O'Brien (COLGATE) 6-0, 6-2 |
| 3. Paige Leavy (BUCKNELL) def. Jordan Williams (COLGATE) 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 |
| 4. Sofia Ayuso (BUCKNELL) def. Madi Kiani (COLGATE) 7-5, 6-4 |
| 5. Mishi Papich (BUCKNELL) def. Nicole Condas (COLGATE) 6-0, 6-0 |
| 6. Callie Bartimer (COLGATE) def. Jill Auteri (BUCKNELL) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 |
| Doubles competition |
| 1. Cayla Koch/Paige Leavy (BUCKNELL) def. Mackenzie Deeter/Jordan Williams (COLGATE) 6-1 |
| 2. Daniela Bellini/Sofia Ayuso (BUCKNELL) def. Lauren O'Brien/Madi Kiani (COLGATE) 7-6 |
| 3. Mishi Papich/Jill Auteri (BUCKNELL) def. Callie Bartimer/Elizabeth Laub (COLGATE) 7-5 |
| Match Notes |
| Bucknell 8-0 |
| Colgate 1-8 |
Team Stats
BUCKNELL
AU
FG%
.415
.471
3FG%
.333
.389
FT%
.700
.600
RB
31
32
TO
15
18
STL
11
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
13
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
6
Pts
11
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballG
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