Bucknell Edges Vermont 62-59 on Education Day for Coach Woodruff's 200th Career Win

NOTE: The next Bucknell Basketball Luncheon will be held on Thursday at noon at the Bull Run Tap House on Market Street in Lewisburg. Head coaches John Griffin III and Trevor Woodruff and select players from the Bison men's and women's squads will be in attendance to talk about the first month of their respective seasons.

POST GAME PRESSER:

LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison women's basketball team (4-4) extended its winning streak to four games with a 62-59 overtime victory over the Vermont Catamounts (4-6) Wednesday. The contest was played in front of an excitable and rambunctious crowd from area schools with the Bison hosting their annual Education Day game. The victory marked head coach Trevor Woodruff's 200th victory as a women's basketball coach and Bucknell's first overtime win since beating Cornell 65-58 on Nov. 19, 2022.

"I am thrilled with the win," said Woodruff. "Coming into the game I thought our opponent executed as well as anyone we have played this year. They can compete with the best teams in the Patriot League. We used this game as a measuring stick for ourselves to prove we can play with anyone in the conference. I am proud of the kids."

Ashley Sofilkanich again led the Bison charge, as she has done during all four wins, recording 23 points placing her in the 20+ category for the sixth time in the first eight games. The sophomore forward overcame a sluggish first half where she only scored three points to dominate the Catamounts with 20 second-half tallies. Sofilkanich shot 7-of-12 from the field and went 9-of-10 from the foul line, including sinking four straight free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

"Sofilkanich staying on the court has been huge for us," Woodruff explained. "During our first four games she was only averaging 21 minutes per game due to foul trouble. That is not enough for any team's best player. She is so important for us on both ends on the court. She has committed herself to being more disciplined and that is a good sign for everybody."

Tuana Coskun recorded her second straight double-digit game scoring 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting and 3-of-4 from the foul line. Ashley O'Connor posted a season-high 11 points powered by three treys.

Both teams hit 22 baskets with the Bison shooting 48 attempts and the Catamounts trying 49. Each squad shot 17 free throws with Bucknell holding the 14-12 edge in conversions.

Anna Olson led Vermont with 20 points and Keira Hanson added 14.

Woodruff reached the 200-win milestone in only 266 games for a winning percentage of .752. While the NCAA stats database shows ten seasons, 2020-21 was narrowed by COVID-19 to merely ten games and this campaign has only reached the eight-game mark, thus the Bison leader has accomplished the feat in just under nine seasons. He is one of the fastest coaches during his tenure to reach the mark. Overall, he has 359 wins as a men's and women's basketball coach.

"Milestones are terrific and exciting and someday they will mean something," said Woodruff. "Today, it brings to mind lots of former players and so many great wins and so many great coaches and players who have contributed. I was happy to win it in Sojka. There will be plenty of time to recollect in twenty years when I am done coaching."

Contrary to the Bison's first three wins, this game was exceptionally tight throughout with neither team holding a lead larger than six points. Bucknell reached that mark in the third quarter and again in the fourth period with 4:17 remaining when Sofilkanich deposited two free throws. Vermont replied with a 6-0 run tying the game at 1:12 on a Hanson layup.

Sofilkanich returned the lead to Bison hands with a second chance layup but Olson nailed two clutch free throws. Bucknell advanced the ball with a timeout but Sophia Sabino lost the ball and fouled in a recovery attempt placing Hanson at the line. The guard hit both free throws giving Vermont its first lead since 32-31 at the 3:53 mark in the third period.

Once again, Sofilkanich answered the call scoring the last of her 12 fourth-quarter points with a layup at the 16-second mark. Vermont called a timeout and draw up a perfect play with Nikola Priede sneaking through for the backdoor layup, but her shot rolled around the rim and the game went into overtime.

Vermont scored first in overtime on an Olson two-pointer but an 8-0 Bucknell run followed. O'Connor hit a jump shot, Sabino provided a driving layup, and Coskun drained a three-pointer. Hanson responded with a trey and Olson converted on a layup cutting the deficit to 58-57. Sofilkanich stepped up for the third time sinking four straight free throws negating another Olson basket. Vermont attempted one last shot but Catherine Gilwee's frantic three-pointer caught nothing but air and the elementary school crowd erupted in cheers.

The Catamounts led 13-10 after the first quarter but the Bison responded with a 7-0 run keyed by an O'Connor three-pointer. Vermont grabbed a 22-21 lead on an Olson jump shot. The 24-22 halftime advantage belonged to the Bison thanks to Sofilkanich scoring the game's only three points in the final three minutes of action.

Bucknell remains at Sojka on Friday night to welcome the Dartmouth Big Green for a non-conference clash.

Bucknell Edges Vermont 62-59 on Education Day for Coach Woodruff's 200th Career Win

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Team Stats

Ashley Sofilkanich

Tuana Coskun

Ashley O'Connor

Sophia Sabino

Players Mentioned

Tuana Coskun

Ashley O'Connor

Sophia Sabino

Ashley Sofilkanich