Saturday, November 9
Pittsburgh, Pa.
1 p.m.
Bucknell University
0-2,0-0Patriot
61
at
64
Pitt
2-0,0-0ACC
1
2
3
4
F
Bucknell
21
14
11
15
61
Pittsburgh
18
26
10
10
64
Women's Basketball Takes Pitt to the Brink in 64-61 Heartbreaker
11/9/2024 4:11:00 PM | Women's Basketball
PITTSBURGH, Pa.- Bucknell (0-2) took the ACC Pittsburgh Panthers (2-0) to the brink in a 64-61 defeat on Saturday afternoon. The Bison stormed back from second-half deficits of 13 and 17 points before Reese Zemitis's final heave fell short.
Ashley Sofilkanich recorded her fifth career double-double and the first of 2024-25 with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes. Most of her damage occurred in the first half (15 points) as she picked up three fouls in the first two minutes of the third quarter necessitating her absence from the game until late in the final period.
Bucknell out-rebounded Pitt 42-38. Both teams struggled at the charity stripe with the Bison going 8-of-14 (57.1%) and Pitt hitting 8-of-18 (44.4%). The Orange & Blue out-shot the Blue & Gold 42.6% (23-of-54) to 24-of-64 (37.5%)
The decisive moment occurred as the fourth quarter began. Bucknell trailed 54-46 entering the final quarter and scored five quick points on a Sophia Sabino three-pointer and an Elana Weisman layup. Pitt called a timeout. The Bison played tight defense and prevented a basket. Ashley O'Connor received an open three-pointer look but the shot rolled out after going halfway down. The Panthers replied with a 10-0 run.
The Bison, down 64-51, refused to quit and built their rally by scoring Pitt scoreless for the final 3:23 minutes. Zemitis started the comeback with a three-pointer, Sofilkanich provided a traditional three-point play, and Anna Kunzwiler made a layup. Isabella King forced a turnover with tight defense and Sofilkanich was fouled going to the basket. The sophomore standout calmly drained both shots.
Bucknell was forced to foul Pitt, sending Brooklynn Miles to the line. Miles missed both free throws, and Kunzwiler corralled the rebound. Coach Trevor Woodruff called a timeout to advance the ball. The Bison tried to find a good look but the Panthers' defense swarmed and Zemitis's off-balance three-pointer fell short.
The Bison led 21-18 after the first quarter. Sofilkanich powered the Orange & Blue scoring 11 of her 20 points. Bucknell shot 69.2% (9-of-13) in the opening stanza. Zemitis provided five points.
Pitt powered back in the second quarter outscoring Bucknell 26-14. The Panthers were lethal from three-point land hitting 5-of-8 (62.5%) including a half-court heave to end the first half.
The Panthers opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run creating their largest lead (52-35) of the afternoon. Bucknell responded with an 11-2 stretch to end the quarter. Four different Bison players contributed with Weisman's seven points leading. The Bison's rally set up the climatic fourth quarter.
Bucknell continued its opening season four-game road streak when the Bison head to New Jersey to face FDU on Nov. 13.
Ashley Sofilkanich recorded her fifth career double-double and the first of 2024-25 with 20 points and 10 rebounds in 21 minutes. Most of her damage occurred in the first half (15 points) as she picked up three fouls in the first two minutes of the third quarter necessitating her absence from the game until late in the final period.
Bucknell out-rebounded Pitt 42-38. Both teams struggled at the charity stripe with the Bison going 8-of-14 (57.1%) and Pitt hitting 8-of-18 (44.4%). The Orange & Blue out-shot the Blue & Gold 42.6% (23-of-54) to 24-of-64 (37.5%)
The decisive moment occurred as the fourth quarter began. Bucknell trailed 54-46 entering the final quarter and scored five quick points on a Sophia Sabino three-pointer and an Elana Weisman layup. Pitt called a timeout. The Bison played tight defense and prevented a basket. Ashley O'Connor received an open three-pointer look but the shot rolled out after going halfway down. The Panthers replied with a 10-0 run.
The Bison, down 64-51, refused to quit and built their rally by scoring Pitt scoreless for the final 3:23 minutes. Zemitis started the comeback with a three-pointer, Sofilkanich provided a traditional three-point play, and Anna Kunzwiler made a layup. Isabella King forced a turnover with tight defense and Sofilkanich was fouled going to the basket. The sophomore standout calmly drained both shots.
Bucknell was forced to foul Pitt, sending Brooklynn Miles to the line. Miles missed both free throws, and Kunzwiler corralled the rebound. Coach Trevor Woodruff called a timeout to advance the ball. The Bison tried to find a good look but the Panthers' defense swarmed and Zemitis's off-balance three-pointer fell short.
The Bison led 21-18 after the first quarter. Sofilkanich powered the Orange & Blue scoring 11 of her 20 points. Bucknell shot 69.2% (9-of-13) in the opening stanza. Zemitis provided five points.
Pitt powered back in the second quarter outscoring Bucknell 26-14. The Panthers were lethal from three-point land hitting 5-of-8 (62.5%) including a half-court heave to end the first half.
The Panthers opened the third quarter on an 8-0 run creating their largest lead (52-35) of the afternoon. Bucknell responded with an 11-2 stretch to end the quarter. Four different Bison players contributed with Weisman's seven points leading. The Bison's rally set up the climatic fourth quarter.
Bucknell continued its opening season four-game road streak when the Bison head to New Jersey to face FDU on Nov. 13.
Team Stats
Buck
UP
FG%
.426
.375
3FG%
.389
.533
FT%
.571
.444
RB
42
38
TO
19
11
STL
5
7
Game Leaders
Pts
20
FGM
8
3FGM
1
FTM
3
Pts
9
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
3
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
1
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F/G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's BasketballG/F
/ Women's BasketballNavy at Bucknell Women's Soccer Highlights 10-19-2025
Sunday, October 19
Bucknell at Cornell Football Highlights 10-18-2025
Sunday, October 19
In The Herd: Cornell Game Preview And Mark Mulhern Feature
Thursday, October 16
In The Herd: American Game Preview And Sarah Althouse Feature
Thursday, October 16