Sunday, February 4
Lewisburg, Pa.
2 p.m.
Bucknell University
vs
American
Bison Women Host American on National Girls & Women in Sports Day
2/3/2024 12:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- The Bucknell Bison women's basketball team (6-14, 3-6 Patriot League) looks to reignite a two-game winning streak when it hosts the American Eagles (8-12, 6-3 Patriot League) on Sunday. Bucknell defeated Loyola (Md.) 61-59 on Wednesday for its first road win. The Orange & Blue will seek to avenge its 57-46 defeat to American on Jan. 6. American owns the 28-26 series lead. The tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. and Bucknell is celebrating Girls and Women in Sports Day.
Game Notes
What: Bucknell vs. American
When: Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.
Where: Lewisburg, Pa.-Sojka Pavilion
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: 90.5 WVBU
Live Statistics: bucknellbison.com
Last Game's Starters:
So. G/F: Emma Theodorsson (12.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.1 apg)
Jr. F/G: Isabella King (6.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.4 apg)
So. G: Blake Matthews (5.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.8 apg)
Fr. F: Ashley Sofilkanich (11.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.1 apg)
So. G: Ashley O'Connor (5.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.6 apg)
WITH A WIN OVER AMERICAN, BUCKNELL WOULD...
• ... improve to 7-14 on the season
• ... improve to 6-4 at home
• ... improve to 27-28 all-time against the Eagles
• ... improve to 6-3 against the Eagles under Woodruff
• ... improve to 77-48 overall under Woodruff
• ... improve to 43-16 at home under Woodruff
HEADLINES
• Bucknell won its first road win by defeating Loyola (Md.), 61-59, in a nailbiter. The Bison held on the final possession and induced a steal to seal the win. Bucknell led 12-6 after the first quarter but trailed 29-27 at halftime. The Orange & Blue rallied to lead 46-45, entering the final quarter. Bucknell scored 15 points to Loyola's 14 in the fourth quarter to win. The Bison improved to 6-14 overall and 3-6 in the Patriot League. Ashley Sofilkanich recorded her second double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Emma Theodorsson added 18 points. Blake Matthews tied a career-high with 11 points. Loyola (Md.) had three double-digit scorers, led by Kelly Ratigan's 16 points.
• Ashley Sofilkanich won her third PL Rookie of the Week award on 1/29 for her games against Army & Navy.
• Emma Theodorsson won PL Player of the Week on 1/22 for her 31-point performance against Boston University.
• 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.
• 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.
• Bucknell was picked sixth in the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Poll. It's the first time since 2015-16 Bucknell was not selected in the top four.
• 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. She is currently up for All-Star honors. Fans can vote at the Women's British Basketball League website. O'Brien holds second place in the voting.
• 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 AMERICAN
• The Eagles went 9-22 overall and 7-11 in Patriot League play during the 2022-23 season. The Eagles earned the #7 seed in the Patriot League Tournament, defeating defeated #10 Navy in the First Round before losing to the No. 2 Seed and eventual champion Holy Cross, 73-44, in the Quarterfinals. This season, American has gone 8-12 with wins over Longwood, FDU, Lehigh (2x), Bucknell, Boston, Army, and Colgate. The Eagles have been grounded by La Salle, George Washington, Richmond, George Mason, Delaware, Monmouth, Towson, UMBC, Howard, Loyola, Holy Cross, and Lafayette.
• The Bison and Eagles share one common opponent (FDU) outside of the Patriot League schedule. Both teams defeated FDU.
• American was picked to finish fifth in the Patriot League. Emily Johns was named to the preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• Tiffany Coll is 17-34 in her two seasons at American.
SERIES HISTORY with THE EAGLES
• This is the 55th meeting between the Bison and the Eagles.
• The Eagles won the first game this season.
• Trevor Woodruff is 5-3 against American.
Series History with American (Last Six Meetings)
1/16/22 American W, 62-52
2/9/22 at American L, 48-56
3/13/22 at American (PLT) L, 54-65
2/15/23 at American W, 64-52
3/1/23 American W, 69-66
1/6/24 at American L, 46-57
Series Record: 26-8
Record at Home: 15-12
Record at American: 10-16
Neutral Site Record: 1-0
Trevor Woodruff Record: 5-3
Current Streak: American W1
Longest Bucknell Winning Streak: 8 games
Last Time Out
• Bucknell snapped a two-game losing streak and won its first road victory by defeating Loyola (Md.) 61-59 on Wednesday. The Bison trailed 29-27 at halftime but rallied in the second half to triumph. It was a tightly fought game, full of back-and-forth moments. But the Bison obtained the final stop to win the game.
• Bucknell shot 41.8% on 23-of-55 shooting. Loyola shot 22-of-56 (39.3%). Both teams struggled from the three-point line. The Bison were 4-of-22 (18.2%) but hit two clutch attempts, while the Greyhounds went 4-of-15 (26.7%). Both teams were decent at the free-throw line. Bucknell went 11-of-18, and Loyola was 11-of-15.
• Ashley Sofilkanich led Bucknell with 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting and recorded 12 rebounds to post her second double-double. Emma Theodorsson had 18 points and six rebounds. Loyola had three double-digit scorers.
Notable CAREER HIGHS SET Vs. Loyola
Blake Matthews - Field Goals Made (5)
Ashley O'Connor - Assists (6) & Three Point Goals Attempted (7)
Ashley Sofilkanich - Rebounds (12)
STREAKS OF NOTE
Ashley O'Connor- Starts (13)
Ashley Sofilkanich - Starts (17)
Emma Theodorsson - Starts (18)
Up Next
Bucknell returns to action at Boston on Feb. 10.
Game Notes
What: Bucknell vs. American
When: Sunday, Feb. 4 at 2 p.m.
Where: Lewisburg, Pa.-Sojka Pavilion
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: 90.5 WVBU
Live Statistics: bucknellbison.com
Last Game's Starters:
So. G/F: Emma Theodorsson (12.2 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.1 apg)
Jr. F/G: Isabella King (6.8 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.4 apg)
So. G: Blake Matthews (5.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.8 apg)
Fr. F: Ashley Sofilkanich (11.6 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.1 apg)
So. G: Ashley O'Connor (5.3 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.6 apg)
WITH A WIN OVER AMERICAN, BUCKNELL WOULD...
• ... improve to 7-14 on the season
• ... improve to 6-4 at home
• ... improve to 27-28 all-time against the Eagles
• ... improve to 6-3 against the Eagles under Woodruff
• ... improve to 77-48 overall under Woodruff
• ... improve to 43-16 at home under Woodruff
HEADLINES
• Bucknell won its first road win by defeating Loyola (Md.), 61-59, in a nailbiter. The Bison held on the final possession and induced a steal to seal the win. Bucknell led 12-6 after the first quarter but trailed 29-27 at halftime. The Orange & Blue rallied to lead 46-45, entering the final quarter. Bucknell scored 15 points to Loyola's 14 in the fourth quarter to win. The Bison improved to 6-14 overall and 3-6 in the Patriot League. Ashley Sofilkanich recorded her second double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Emma Theodorsson added 18 points. Blake Matthews tied a career-high with 11 points. Loyola (Md.) had three double-digit scorers, led by Kelly Ratigan's 16 points.
• Ashley Sofilkanich won her third PL Rookie of the Week award on 1/29 for her games against Army & Navy.
• Emma Theodorsson won PL Player of the Week on 1/22 for her 31-point performance against Boston University.
• 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.
• 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.
• Bucknell was picked sixth in the 2023 Patriot League Preseason Poll. It's the first time since 2015-16 Bucknell was not selected in the top four.
• 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. She is currently up for All-Star honors. Fans can vote at the Women's British Basketball League website. O'Brien holds second place in the voting.
• 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 AMERICAN
• The Eagles went 9-22 overall and 7-11 in Patriot League play during the 2022-23 season. The Eagles earned the #7 seed in the Patriot League Tournament, defeating defeated #10 Navy in the First Round before losing to the No. 2 Seed and eventual champion Holy Cross, 73-44, in the Quarterfinals. This season, American has gone 8-12 with wins over Longwood, FDU, Lehigh (2x), Bucknell, Boston, Army, and Colgate. The Eagles have been grounded by La Salle, George Washington, Richmond, George Mason, Delaware, Monmouth, Towson, UMBC, Howard, Loyola, Holy Cross, and Lafayette.
• The Bison and Eagles share one common opponent (FDU) outside of the Patriot League schedule. Both teams defeated FDU.
• American was picked to finish fifth in the Patriot League. Emily Johns was named to the preseason All-Patriot League Team.
• Tiffany Coll is 17-34 in her two seasons at American.
SERIES HISTORY with THE EAGLES
• This is the 55th meeting between the Bison and the Eagles.
• The Eagles won the first game this season.
• Trevor Woodruff is 5-3 against American.
Series History with American (Last Six Meetings)
1/16/22 American W, 62-52
2/9/22 at American L, 48-56
3/13/22 at American (PLT) L, 54-65
2/15/23 at American W, 64-52
3/1/23 American W, 69-66
1/6/24 at American L, 46-57
Series Record: 26-8
Record at Home: 15-12
Record at American: 10-16
Neutral Site Record: 1-0
Trevor Woodruff Record: 5-3
Current Streak: American W1
Longest Bucknell Winning Streak: 8 games
Last Time Out
• Bucknell snapped a two-game losing streak and won its first road victory by defeating Loyola (Md.) 61-59 on Wednesday. The Bison trailed 29-27 at halftime but rallied in the second half to triumph. It was a tightly fought game, full of back-and-forth moments. But the Bison obtained the final stop to win the game.
• Bucknell shot 41.8% on 23-of-55 shooting. Loyola shot 22-of-56 (39.3%). Both teams struggled from the three-point line. The Bison were 4-of-22 (18.2%) but hit two clutch attempts, while the Greyhounds went 4-of-15 (26.7%). Both teams were decent at the free-throw line. Bucknell went 11-of-18, and Loyola was 11-of-15.
• Ashley Sofilkanich led Bucknell with 19 points on 9-of-12 shooting and recorded 12 rebounds to post her second double-double. Emma Theodorsson had 18 points and six rebounds. Loyola had three double-digit scorers.
Notable CAREER HIGHS SET Vs. Loyola
Blake Matthews - Field Goals Made (5)
Ashley O'Connor - Assists (6) & Three Point Goals Attempted (7)
Ashley Sofilkanich - Rebounds (12)
STREAKS OF NOTE
Ashley O'Connor- Starts (13)
Ashley Sofilkanich - Starts (17)
Emma Theodorsson - Starts (18)
Up Next
Bucknell returns to action at Boston on Feb. 10.
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F/G
/ Women's Basketball
PG
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F/G
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