Merrimack Edges Women's Basketball 62-59

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. - A fourth-quarter rally by the Bucknell Bison (0-4) fell short as the Merrimack Warriors (2-2) forced two errant shots in the final seconds to win 62-59 on Saturday night. Bucknell stormed back from down double-digits but could not get a clean look in the last two possessions. The defeat closed the book on Bucknell's opening four-game road stretch.

Ashley Sofilkanich recorded her third straight 20+ point game but the sophomore forward also fouled out for the third time this season. Sofilkanich played only 18 minutes but notched 20 points on 8-for-13 shooting from the field and 4-for-5 from the field. The preseason Defensive Player of the Year gathered seven rebounds and recorded a block.

Two other Bison players recorded double-digit scoring efforts. Tuana Coskun scored 10 points on 4-for-12 shooting. Freshman Elana Weisman posted 10 points on an efficient 4-for-6 night.

For the second straight game, the Bison were undone by three-point shooting. Bucknell went 5-for-17 (29.4%) while Merrimack shot 8-for-20 (40%), including a second quarter where the Warriors hit five to cut into the Bison's lead.

The Bison led 11-10 after the first quarter and Sofilkanich's traditional three-point play in the second quarter with 4:26 left gave Bucknell its largest lead at 29-19. But the Warriors finished the quarter on a 10-3 run setting the stage for the third quarter outburst.

Bucknell led 32-29 entering the third quarter but were outscored 20-6, as they shot 2-for-16 from the field and Merrimack seized advantage of the Orange & Blue's cold touch.

The Warriors increased its lead to 53-40 before the Bison started their rally. Cadence Johnson hit a three-pointer with 5:56 remaining for the 57-48 lead but the North Andover team would only score five more points. Sofilkanich hit two foul shots to reach 20 points but fouled out moments later.

Anna Kunzwiler hit a three-pointer with 48 seconds remaining and the Merrimack lead drained to 60-58. Sophia Sabino was fouled on a steal attempt and had the chance to tie the game. She hit 1-of-2 attempts but Weisman corralled the rebound. After a timeout, the Merrimack defense forced a contested shot, and Thalia Shepard was fouled on the next possession and drained both free throws. Bucknell's potential tying three was off the mark as time expired.

Up Next

Bucknell opens its home schedule on Nov. 20 when the Orange & Blue welcome Mount St. Mary's to Sojka Pavilion.

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Team Stats

Ashley Sofilkanich

Tuana Coskun

Elana Weisman

Anna Kunzwiler

Players Mentioned

Tuana Coskun

Anna Kunzwiler

Sophia Sabino

Ashley Sofilkanich

Elana Weisman