Sunday, December 17
Lewisburg, Pa.
2 p.m.
Bucknell University
3-7,0-0Patriot
64
vs
44
Merrimack
3-9,0-0NEC
1
2
3
4
F
Merrimack
11
4
18
11
44
Bucknell
17
14
14
19
64
Women's Basketball Defeats Merrimack, 64-44
12/17/2023 4:01:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Emma Theodorsson scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds and Ashley O'Connor made three second-half three-pointers to lead the Bucknell women's basketball team (3-7) to a 64-44 win over Merrimack (3-9) on Sunday afternoon at Sojka Pavilion. The Bison led for all but 24 seconds of the contest and held the Warriors to 28.8 percent (17-for-59) shooting for the game. The Orange and Blue also converted 11 offensive rebounds into 14 second-chance points.
O'Connor finished with 12 points and five rebounds, while Isabella King added 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals. Ashley Sofilkanich had seven points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, while Blake Matthews scored six points and came away with three steals.
Paloma Garcia scored a team-high 19 points for the Warriors.
"I am thrilled with the much-needed win," said Bucknell head coach Trevor Woodruff. "This group has continued to work right through finals. They did extra shooting. Whenever they were available, they were in the gym. It is always good to get the outcomes you were working towards." It is good momentum for us."
Bucknell led for 39:05 minutes in the game. Theodorsson scored the opening basket of the game. Merrimack briefly led for 24 seconds after hitting a three-pointer. It was the last time the Warriors would have control. Theodorsson responded with a trey of her own. Twice, Merrimack cut the deficit within two points (7-5 & 9-7), but the Bison always had an answer. The Orange & Blue used an 8-4 run to end the first quarter with a 17-11 lead.
Both teams started the second quarter colder than a noreaster wind as neither squad tallied a point until the 6:45 mark. Theodorsson broke the ice with a turnaround jump shot. The basket energized the Bison attack as the team made four free throws, and Julie Kulesza buried a three-pointer for the 26-13 advantage. Bucknell continued to play solid defense and entered halftime up 31-15.
The third quarter featured Merrimack's best comeback attempt. Similar to the second quarter, both squads went cold shooting the ball. Merrimack's three-pointer at 7:42 was the only points until 5:40, when King drained a trey. That shot jumpstarted the offense, and Bucknell increased its lead to 40-23. Then Merrimack made a 10-0 run to draw within 40-33. But the seeds of Merrimack's eventual defeat were present. Paloma Garcia's basket cut the deficit to 40-33, but the player celebrated too much and was whistled for a technical foul. King drained both free throws and O'Connor nailed the three-pointer on the resulting possession. Bucknell capitalized with a five-point swing and led 45-33, entering the final quarter.
The Bison kept the pressure going in the final stanza, answering every Merrimack score with a Bucknell basket. Merrimack did draw within 54-44 on a 4-0 run before Theodorsson slammed the door shut with a three-pointer. Bucknell made seven free throws in the final minute to seal the victory at 64-44.
Up Next
The Bison hit the road for the last non-conference game of the season. Bucknell will play ranked Marquette on Thursday at 1 p.m.
O'Connor finished with 12 points and five rebounds, while Isabella King added 10 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a pair of steals. Ashley Sofilkanich had seven points, six rebounds, three steals, and two blocks, while Blake Matthews scored six points and came away with three steals.
Paloma Garcia scored a team-high 19 points for the Warriors.
"I am thrilled with the much-needed win," said Bucknell head coach Trevor Woodruff. "This group has continued to work right through finals. They did extra shooting. Whenever they were available, they were in the gym. It is always good to get the outcomes you were working towards." It is good momentum for us."
Bucknell led for 39:05 minutes in the game. Theodorsson scored the opening basket of the game. Merrimack briefly led for 24 seconds after hitting a three-pointer. It was the last time the Warriors would have control. Theodorsson responded with a trey of her own. Twice, Merrimack cut the deficit within two points (7-5 & 9-7), but the Bison always had an answer. The Orange & Blue used an 8-4 run to end the first quarter with a 17-11 lead.
Like a merry-go-round!
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) December 17, 2023
Theo's spin move delivers the thrills!
Watch: https://t.co/7cfJAZlMfR@PatriotLeagueTV |@ESPN#rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/EmvaIihYqq
Both teams started the second quarter colder than a noreaster wind as neither squad tallied a point until the 6:45 mark. Theodorsson broke the ice with a turnaround jump shot. The basket energized the Bison attack as the team made four free throws, and Julie Kulesza buried a three-pointer for the 26-13 advantage. Bucknell continued to play solid defense and entered halftime up 31-15.
It is a "Julie"bee in Sojka!
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) December 17, 2023
13-point lead for the Bison!
Watch: https://t.co/7cfJAZlMfR@PatriotLeagueTV |@ESPN#rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/xuSEhj0wec
The third quarter featured Merrimack's best comeback attempt. Similar to the second quarter, both squads went cold shooting the ball. Merrimack's three-pointer at 7:42 was the only points until 5:40, when King drained a trey. That shot jumpstarted the offense, and Bucknell increased its lead to 40-23. Then Merrimack made a 10-0 run to draw within 40-33. But the seeds of Merrimack's eventual defeat were present. Paloma Garcia's basket cut the deficit to 40-33, but the player celebrated too much and was whistled for a technical foul. King drained both free throws and O'Connor nailed the three-pointer on the resulting possession. Bucknell capitalized with a five-point swing and led 45-33, entering the final quarter.
CROWN HER!
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) December 17, 2023
King drains the three!
Watch: https://t.co/7cfJAZlMfR@PatriotLeagueTV |@ESPN#rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/Rpy4ZUXFoF
The Bison kept the pressure going in the final stanza, answering every Merrimack score with a Bucknell basket. Merrimack did draw within 54-44 on a 4-0 run before Theodorsson slammed the door shut with a three-pointer. Bucknell made seven free throws in the final minute to seal the victory at 64-44.
Up Next
The Bison hit the road for the last non-conference game of the season. Bucknell will play ranked Marquette on Thursday at 1 p.m.
Team Stats
Merri
Buck
FG%
.288
.352
3FG%
.208
.364
FT%
.500
.692
RB
34
40
TO
20
21
STL
6
10
Game Leaders
Pts
22
FGM
8
3FGM
2
FTM
4
Pts
12
FGM
4
3FGM
3
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
1
3FGM
1
FTM
7
Pts
7
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Players Mentioned
F/G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
PG
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF/G
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