Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell University
17-6,10-2Patriot
Navy
7-16,2-10Patriot
Women's Basketball Posts 75-65 Win Over Navy
2/12/2020 8:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. – Four Bison scored in double figures, led by 18 points from Ellie Mack, and the Bucknell women's basketball team defeated Navy 75-65 Wednesday evening at Sojka Pavilion. Tessa Brugler added 16 points, Taylor O'Brien 11, and Abby Kapp 10, as Bucknell improved to 17-6 overall and 10-2 in Patriot League play.
The Bison jumped out to an early 10-0 lead, but Navy (7-16, 2-10 PL) came back to lead 15-14 at the end of the first quarter. Bucknell held a nine-point advantage at halftime and extended that out to a game-high 19 points in the third quarter. The Mids drew within six in the final period, but the Bison held off the late rally to win their seventh consecutive home game and their 10th double-digit Patriot League decision.
Bucknell shot well, making 28-of-48 (58.3 percent) from the floor, 5-of-9 (55.6 percent) from 3-point range and 14-of-18 (77.8 percent) from the free throw line.
Navy shot 51.1 percent from the field, 54.5 percent from 3-point range and 76.5 percent from the line but grabbed just 15 rebounds, compared to 25 for the Bison. Brugler led the way for Bucknell with nine boards, including three on the offensive end.
Mary Kate Ulasewicz led the Mids with 29 points on 9-of-14 shooting from the field.
Bucknell's 10-point first quarter lead was made possible by a 5-for-5 start from the field, but the Bison finished the quarter missing six of their last seven shots, and a 3-pointer by the Mids near the buzzer gave them their only lead of the night.
The Bison were at their best during the middle quarters, outscoring the Mids 17-7 in the second and 29-20 in the third. The 29 third quarter points were the most the Bison have scored in a single frame this season.
4:25 2nd | Bucknell is back to scoring and is 5-for-6 to begin the second, including this steal and score by Taylor O'Brien. Bucknell leads 24-20.
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) February 12, 2020
Watch live @PatriotLeagueTV pic.twitter.com/ZwRA7THL4w
Bucknell was especially strong out of the gates in the second half as they opened on a 6-0 run. Mack scored all six by drawing a pair of shooting fouls and converting both into 3-point plays. She'd finish the quarter with 11 points after scoring just three in the first half. As a team, the Bison were 10-of-15 (66.7 percent) in the third.
Navy outscored Bucknell 23-15 in the final quarter, including a 10-0 run that cut the Bison lead to single digits. Navy made it a two-possession game with 50 seconds to play, but the Bison responded by hitting each of their last six free throw attempts.
"You've got to give Navy a lot of credit for continuing to play," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "There were a lot of times in that second half they could've maybe just said it wasn't their night and took their ball and gone home, so to speak, but they didn't do that."
Junior Autumn Ceppi contributed a season-high seven points with three assists and a steal. O'Brien came up with two steals in the game and turned both into fast break points. Ally Johnson finished with nine points on 3-of-5 shooting and a team-high four assists.
"We're happy to get the win and to go back to work tomorrow," said Woodruff.
Bucknell goes on the road this weekend to face American in Washington, D.C. Bucknell defeated the Eagles 68-43 in Sojka Pavilion back on Jan. 15. Saturday's game is set for 2 p.m and will be broadcast on the Patriot League Network.
