Bucknell's Defense Sets Sojka Pavilion Records in 51-36 Win Over Undefeated Youngstown State

POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE

LEWISBURG, Pa.- Ashley Sofilkanich did not extend her 20-point game streak to five but the sophomore forward nonetheless played a historic and pivotal role in the Bison's 51-36 win over previously undefeated Youngstown State (4-1). Bucknell (2-4) won its second straight game and remains undefeated at Sojka Pavilion with the victory over the Horizon League foe.

"I am thrilled with the win," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "We are very specific about our style of play. We want to defend first knowing if we can do that nightly then we can survive hard offensive days. It is a good step for us. I am happy with the all-around team effort. We took care of the home court and that is always important."

36 points is the fewest yielded by the team since destroying Saint Francis University 68-31 on Dec. 1, 2021. Bucknell was on pace to break it before YSU scored 16 points in the final stanza.

Sofilkanich was omnipresent nearly collecting her first triple-double with 19 points, 12 rebounds, and a career-high nine blocks, breaking her previous best of eight versus Army on Jan. 27, 2024. The nine blocks also set the Sojka Pavilion record previously tied for by Hope Foster vs. Hampton (11/10/06) and the aforementioned Army game by Sofilkanich.

The Penguins shot a measly 15.0% on 9-for-60 on the game and Sofilkanich's lurking presence was directly responsible for the plethora of missed layups. Sofilkanich was efficient from the field going 5-for-11 and added nine points by going 9-for-18 from the free throw line. The 18 attempts are also a new career-best and set a new Sojka record.

Bucknell tied a Sojka record by recording 12 blocks for the second consecutive game. Youngstown State's 15% shooting percentage also set a new record for lowest opponent shooting percentage.

Bucknell only shot 34.8% (16-for-46) from the field but it was more than enough to sink the Penguins's undefeated season. Seven players scored for the Bison with Tuana Coskun and Ashley O'Connor tying for second-best with eight points. Coskun was two points away from her first double-double as the sophomore transfer led Bucknell with 12 boards.

Similar to the Mount St. Mary's game, the Bison controlled the lead for most of the game. Youngstown State led 2-0 for 1:25 but never had the advantage again as the Orange & Blue enjoyed leadership for 36 minutes. The Bison held YSU to single-digit scoring for three of the four quarters - a testament to the defensive dominance.

Youngstown State converted two free throws for the early lead but it evaporated due to buckets by Coskun and Sofilkanich. The Penguins trailed 13-5 by the second quarter and would only inch closer once when a Jewel Watkins two-pointer cut the deficit to 16-9. Bucknell responded with a 9-0 run to essentially seal the game. The Penguins recovered some pride with a driving layup with 38 seconds before halftime to avoid a single-digit outcome at the break.

Bucknell created its largest lead of the game in the third quarter when Anna Kunzwiler converted a layup with 1:38 remaining. Kunzwiler scored seven points, including 3-for-4 from the charity stripe.

The Penguins outscored Bucknell 16-13 in the final stanza but it mattered little to the final outcome. Sofilkanich recorded her career-best block with 48 seconds left sending the Sojka faithful into cheerful eruption. Youngstown State hit a final free throw and the clock ran out on Bucknell's 51-36 triumph.

Bucknell's Defense Sets Sojka Pavilion Records in 51-36 Win Over Undefeated Youngstown State

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Team Stats

Ashley Sofilkanich

Ashley O'Connor

Tuana Coskun

Anna Kunzwiler

Players Mentioned

Tuana Coskun

Anna Kunzwiler

Ashley O'Connor

Ashley Sofilkanich