Bison Women Travel to New York to Face Undefeated in PL Play Colgate on Saturday
1/11/2024 9:03:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa.-Â The Bucknell Bison women's basketball team (3-11, 0-3 Patriot League) seeks its first PL win of the 2023-24 campaign when the squad travels to central New York to face the red-hot Colgate Raiders (10-4, 3-0 Patriot League) on Saturday afternoon. The Raiders are riding a five-game winning streak and have started conference play by defeating Lafayette, Loyola (Md.), and Navy. Bucknell has dropped four straight games. The Bison won last year's match-up in Hamilton, 50-44, and the Orange & Blue own a decisive 54-23 series advantage. The tip is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Game Notes
What: Bucknell at Colgate
When:Â Saturday, January 13 at 2 p.m.
Where:Â Hamilton, N.Y.- Cotterell Court
Streaming:Â ESPN+
Radio:Â 90.5 WVBU
Live Statistics:Â bucknellbison.com
Last Game's Starters:
So. G/F: Emma Theodorsson (11.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.4 apg)
Jr. G/F: Isabella King (6.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg)
So. G: Blake Matthews (4.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.4 apg)
Fr. F: Ashley Sofilkanich (10.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.6 apg)
So. G: Ashley O'Connor (4.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.3 apg)
WITH A WIN OVER COLGATE, BUCKNELL WOULD...
• ... improve to 4-11 on the season
• ... improve to 1-8 on the road
• ... improve to 55-23 all-time against the Raiders
• ... improve to 6-1 against the Raiders under Woodruff
• ... improve to 74-45 overall under Woodruff
• ... improve to 33-28 on the road under Woodruff
HEADLINES
• Bucknell opened up its home portion of the Patriot League schedule with a 69-63 loss to Lehigh. The Bison led 16-11 after the first quarter but trailed 29-23 by halftime. By the fourth period, the Mountain Hawks expanded its advantage to 53-37. The Bison launched a furious rally in the final quarter and sneaked within 66-63 with 12 seconds remaining. Lehigh converted three free throws to ice the game. The Orange & Blue dropped to 3-11 overall and 0-3 in PL play. Emma Theodorsson led Bucknell with 16 points. Ashley Sofilkanich obtained her first double-double in 17 minutes with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Blake Matthews set a career-high with 11 points. Lily Fandre tallied 15 points to lead Lehigh. Former Bison Remi Sisselman scored 13 points in her return to Sojka.  Â
• The Orange & Blue have four newcomers on the roster. All four players hail from New Jersey. The Garden State has been fruitful for the Lewisburg team.Â
• Against American, on Feb. 11, 2023, Emma Shaffer earned her seventh career double-double by scoring 12 points and obtaining 21 rebounds. Her 21 rebounds were two away from the Patriot League record.Â
• Bucknell finished 13-17 overall and 9-9 in Patriot League play last season. The Bison reached the 2022 Patriot League Quarterfinals, playing as the No. 6 seed in the tournament, but they fell 63-55 to No. 3 seed Lehigh.
• Bucknell graduated two seniors in the spring, Tai Johnson and Emma Shaffer. Tai Johnson stepped up for the Bison after Second Team All-Patriot League member Cecelia Collins was injured. Shaffer was a constant double-double member and led the Bison attack in the paint.Â
• Bucknell was picked sixth in the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Poll. It's the first time since 2015-16 Bucknell was not picked in the top four. The Bison have gone 109-25 in league play since the start of the 2015-16 season.Â
• Senior Caroline Dingler was named captain ahead of the 2023-24 season.
• Emma Theodorsson spent the summer playing for the U20 Icelandic National Team as they competed in the U20 Nordic Championships and FIBA U20 European Championships. Theodorsson powered the Icelandic attack, averaging 8.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 1.6 apg. All three marks were in the top 70 in the FIBA competition. Theodorsson finished third in points and second in rebounds for Iceland.
• This summer, Bucknell graduate Taylor O'Brien signed with the Leicester Riders of the Women's British Basketball League. O'Brien has dominated the circuit and recently won Player of the Month for December. Â
• Head coach Trevor Woodruff is in his fifth season at Bucknell. He was named PL Coach of the Year in his first two seasons.
• Following the departure of associate head coach Kelly Mazzante to Georgetown, Sherill Baker was hired as the newest assistant coach. Baker comes to Lewisburg from a stint at George Washington University. Baker played in the WNBA and overseas professional leagues. Dubbed "The Queens of Steals" for her defensive prowess at Georgia, Baker joins a staff of continuity. Taylor Coleman has been enrolled for five years at Bucknell, and LaSashia Connelly marks her fourth season in Lewisburg. Molly Gillis enters her second season as the program's manager of operations.
SCOUTING Colgate
• Colgate went 16-14 overall and 10-8 in Patriot League play during the 2022-23 season. The Raiders earned the #4 seed in the Patriot League Tournament and fell in the Quarterfinals to #5 Army by a score of 55-50. In 2023-24, Colgate has gone 10-4 with wins over Cornell, UMBC, Canisius, Keuka, Le Moyne, St. Bonaventure, UMass Lowell, Loyola (Md.), Navy, and Lafayette.  The Raiders have been foiled by Miami (FL), Norfolk State, Georgetown, and Central Connecticut State. Colgate has won five straight games, including a 3-0 start to Patriot League play.
• The Bison and Raiders share one opponent (Cornell) outside the Patriot League schedule. Colgate defeated Cornell, while Bucknell lost to the Big Red.
• Colgate was picked to finish third in the Patriot League. Taylor Golembiewski was named to the preseason All-Patriot League Team.Â
• Ganiyat Adeduntan is 32-42 in his three seasons at Lehigh.
SERIES HISTORY with THE Raiders
• This is the 78th meeting between the Bison and the Raiders
• The teams split the series last season. Both squads won the road game.Â
• Trevor Woodruff is 5-1 against the Hamilton program.Â
Series History with Colgate (Last Six Meetings)Â
1/20/20   Colgate          W, 66-43
2/26/20   at Colgate      W, 76-65
1/19/22   at Colgate      W, 61-41
3/22/22   Colgate          W, 91-49
1/14/23   Colgate          L, 57-64 (OT)
2/11/23   at Colgate      W, 50-44  Â
Series Record: 54-23
Record at Home: 30-5
Record at Colgate: 22-13
Neutral Site Record: 2-5
Trevor Woodruff Record: 5-1
Current Streak: Bucknell W1
Longest Bucknell Winning Streak: 12 games
Last Time Out
• Bucknell faced Lehigh on Wednesday in Sojka Pavilion and fell 69-63. Bucknell led 16-11 after the first quarter. Lehigh flipped the script and owned a 29-23 halftime advantage. The Mountain Hawks expanded their lead to 53-37 by the end of the third quarter. Bucknell rallied in the fourth stanza and nearly completed the comeback before falling short. The Bison fell to 3-11 overall and 0-3 in PL competition.Â
• Both teams fired 53 shots. The Bison shot 32.1%, while the Mountain Hawks were slightly superior at 37.7%. The squads struggled from three-point land: Bucknell went 2-of-10, and Lehigh finished 4-of-24. The free throw line was busy. Bucknell shot 32 attempts and made 27. Lehigh had 36 chances and converted 25.Â
• Emma Theodorsson led Bucknell with 16 points. Ashley Sofilkanich earned her first double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) in only 17 minutes of play. Blake Matthews totaled a career-high 11 points. Lily Fandre led Lehigh with 15 points.Â
Notable CAREER HIGHS SET Vs. LEHIGH
Julie Kulesza - Free Throws Made (5) and Free Throws Attempted (6)
Blake Matthews - Points (11)Â
Ashley Sofilkanich - Rebounds (10)
STREAKS OF NOTE
Ashley Sofilkanich - Starts (11)
Emma Theodorsson - Double-Digit Scoring Games (6) & Starts (12)
Up Next
The Bison start a two-game home stretch against league power Boston U. (Jan. 17), and Lafayette (Jan. 20).Â
Game Notes
What: Bucknell at Colgate
When:Â Saturday, January 13 at 2 p.m.
Where:Â Hamilton, N.Y.- Cotterell Court
Streaming:Â ESPN+
Radio:Â 90.5 WVBU
Live Statistics:Â bucknellbison.com
Last Game's Starters:
So. G/F: Emma Theodorsson (11.8 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.4 apg)
Jr. G/F: Isabella King (6.9 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.5 apg)
So. G: Blake Matthews (4.9 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.4 apg)
Fr. F: Ashley Sofilkanich (10.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.6 apg)
So. G: Ashley O'Connor (4.4 ppg, 1.4 rpg, 1.3 apg)
WITH A WIN OVER COLGATE, BUCKNELL WOULD...
• ... improve to 4-11 on the season
• ... improve to 1-8 on the road
• ... improve to 55-23 all-time against the Raiders
• ... improve to 6-1 against the Raiders under Woodruff
• ... improve to 74-45 overall under Woodruff
• ... improve to 33-28 on the road under Woodruff
HEADLINES
• Bucknell opened up its home portion of the Patriot League schedule with a 69-63 loss to Lehigh. The Bison led 16-11 after the first quarter but trailed 29-23 by halftime. By the fourth period, the Mountain Hawks expanded its advantage to 53-37. The Bison launched a furious rally in the final quarter and sneaked within 66-63 with 12 seconds remaining. Lehigh converted three free throws to ice the game. The Orange & Blue dropped to 3-11 overall and 0-3 in PL play. Emma Theodorsson led Bucknell with 16 points. Ashley Sofilkanich obtained her first double-double in 17 minutes with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Blake Matthews set a career-high with 11 points. Lily Fandre tallied 15 points to lead Lehigh. Former Bison Remi Sisselman scored 13 points in her return to Sojka.  Â
• The Orange & Blue have four newcomers on the roster. All four players hail from New Jersey. The Garden State has been fruitful for the Lewisburg team.Â
• Against American, on Feb. 11, 2023, Emma Shaffer earned her seventh career double-double by scoring 12 points and obtaining 21 rebounds. Her 21 rebounds were two away from the Patriot League record.Â
• Bucknell finished 13-17 overall and 9-9 in Patriot League play last season. The Bison reached the 2022 Patriot League Quarterfinals, playing as the No. 6 seed in the tournament, but they fell 63-55 to No. 3 seed Lehigh.
• Bucknell graduated two seniors in the spring, Tai Johnson and Emma Shaffer. Tai Johnson stepped up for the Bison after Second Team All-Patriot League member Cecelia Collins was injured. Shaffer was a constant double-double member and led the Bison attack in the paint.Â
• Bucknell was picked sixth in the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Poll. It's the first time since 2015-16 Bucknell was not picked in the top four. The Bison have gone 109-25 in league play since the start of the 2015-16 season.Â
• Senior Caroline Dingler was named captain ahead of the 2023-24 season.
• Emma Theodorsson spent the summer playing for the U20 Icelandic National Team as they competed in the U20 Nordic Championships and FIBA U20 European Championships. Theodorsson powered the Icelandic attack, averaging 8.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, and 1.6 apg. All three marks were in the top 70 in the FIBA competition. Theodorsson finished third in points and second in rebounds for Iceland.
• This summer, Bucknell graduate Taylor O'Brien signed with the Leicester Riders of the Women's British Basketball League. O'Brien has dominated the circuit and recently won Player of the Month for December. Â
• Head coach Trevor Woodruff is in his fifth season at Bucknell. He was named PL Coach of the Year in his first two seasons.
• Following the departure of associate head coach Kelly Mazzante to Georgetown, Sherill Baker was hired as the newest assistant coach. Baker comes to Lewisburg from a stint at George Washington University. Baker played in the WNBA and overseas professional leagues. Dubbed "The Queens of Steals" for her defensive prowess at Georgia, Baker joins a staff of continuity. Taylor Coleman has been enrolled for five years at Bucknell, and LaSashia Connelly marks her fourth season in Lewisburg. Molly Gillis enters her second season as the program's manager of operations.
SCOUTING Colgate
• Colgate went 16-14 overall and 10-8 in Patriot League play during the 2022-23 season. The Raiders earned the #4 seed in the Patriot League Tournament and fell in the Quarterfinals to #5 Army by a score of 55-50. In 2023-24, Colgate has gone 10-4 with wins over Cornell, UMBC, Canisius, Keuka, Le Moyne, St. Bonaventure, UMass Lowell, Loyola (Md.), Navy, and Lafayette.  The Raiders have been foiled by Miami (FL), Norfolk State, Georgetown, and Central Connecticut State. Colgate has won five straight games, including a 3-0 start to Patriot League play.
• The Bison and Raiders share one opponent (Cornell) outside the Patriot League schedule. Colgate defeated Cornell, while Bucknell lost to the Big Red.
• Colgate was picked to finish third in the Patriot League. Taylor Golembiewski was named to the preseason All-Patriot League Team.Â
• Ganiyat Adeduntan is 32-42 in his three seasons at Lehigh.
SERIES HISTORY with THE Raiders
• This is the 78th meeting between the Bison and the Raiders
• The teams split the series last season. Both squads won the road game.Â
• Trevor Woodruff is 5-1 against the Hamilton program.Â
Series History with Colgate (Last Six Meetings)Â
1/20/20   Colgate          W, 66-43
2/26/20   at Colgate      W, 76-65
1/19/22   at Colgate      W, 61-41
3/22/22   Colgate          W, 91-49
1/14/23   Colgate          L, 57-64 (OT)
2/11/23   at Colgate      W, 50-44  Â
Series Record: 54-23
Record at Home: 30-5
Record at Colgate: 22-13
Neutral Site Record: 2-5
Trevor Woodruff Record: 5-1
Current Streak: Bucknell W1
Longest Bucknell Winning Streak: 12 games
Last Time Out
• Bucknell faced Lehigh on Wednesday in Sojka Pavilion and fell 69-63. Bucknell led 16-11 after the first quarter. Lehigh flipped the script and owned a 29-23 halftime advantage. The Mountain Hawks expanded their lead to 53-37 by the end of the third quarter. Bucknell rallied in the fourth stanza and nearly completed the comeback before falling short. The Bison fell to 3-11 overall and 0-3 in PL competition.Â
• Both teams fired 53 shots. The Bison shot 32.1%, while the Mountain Hawks were slightly superior at 37.7%. The squads struggled from three-point land: Bucknell went 2-of-10, and Lehigh finished 4-of-24. The free throw line was busy. Bucknell shot 32 attempts and made 27. Lehigh had 36 chances and converted 25.Â
• Emma Theodorsson led Bucknell with 16 points. Ashley Sofilkanich earned her first double-double (13 points and 10 rebounds) in only 17 minutes of play. Blake Matthews totaled a career-high 11 points. Lily Fandre led Lehigh with 15 points.Â
Notable CAREER HIGHS SET Vs. LEHIGH
Julie Kulesza - Free Throws Made (5) and Free Throws Attempted (6)
Blake Matthews - Points (11)Â
Ashley Sofilkanich - Rebounds (10)
STREAKS OF NOTE
Ashley Sofilkanich - Starts (11)
Emma Theodorsson - Double-Digit Scoring Games (6) & Starts (12)
Up Next
The Bison start a two-game home stretch against league power Boston U. (Jan. 17), and Lafayette (Jan. 20).Â
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