Sunday, February 4
Lewisburg, Pa.
2 p.m.
Bucknell University
61
vs
47
American
Dominant Second Half Propels Women's Basketball to 61-47 Victory Over American
2/4/2024 3:44:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Ashley O'Connor made four second-half 3-pointers on her way to a career-high 18 points and the Bucknell women's basketball team outscored American 30-17 in the second half to defeat the Eagles 61-47 Sunday afternoon at Sojka Pavilion.  It was the second consecutive win for the Bison, who improved to 7-14, 4-6 PL, while American fell to 8-13, 6-4 PL.
Bucknell led 31-30 at halftime and held the Eagles to 1-for-17 shooting and just three points in the third quarter to open up a 41-33 edge at the end of three quarters. American was still stuck at just 10 points in the second half with just over two minutes to play.Â
O'Connor gave the Bison their first double-digit advantage with a 3-pointer, making it 47-35 in the fourth quarter. She knocked down another 3-pointer two possessions later, and Isabella King hit a shot clock-beating 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to make it 53-37. Bucknell led by as many as 19 points in the final quarter.
American finished the contest 17 of 64 (26.6 percent) from the field, including 6 of 33 (18.2 percent) in the second half. The Bison shot nearly 39 percent (21-for-54).
Emma Theodorsson tallied 17 points for Bucknell, while Grace Sullivan scored 11. Ashley Sofilkanich grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, including six offensive, to go along with seven points. The Bison held a strong 46-32 edge on the boards, with Theodorsson adding nine.
"I'm thrilled with the outcome," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "We defended the paint. We did well on the glass. We emphasized winning the paint, and we did. We scored more points in the paint, and they only achieved nine offensive rebounds."Â
American started the game on fire, erupting on a 7-0 run, prompting Coach Woodruff to issue a timeout. The stoppage worked immediately. Theodorsson hit a two-pointer, and Bucknell began climbing back into the game. Ashley O'Connor's pull-up jumper with 4:22 left tied the game at 12-12. From there, American retook the lead before Theodorsson added a layup, and Sophia Sabino drained two free throws. American's Ivy Bales added a jumper, but Bucknell led 18-17 after one period.Â
If both teams were blazing hot in the first quarter, they were icy cool to start the second quarter. The only score until 6:39 remaining was a three-pointer by American's Anna LeMaster. The tally at 6:39 only belonged to the Eagles and gave the visitors a 22-18 lead. The Bison counterattacked with a 9-0 run, powered by Theodorsson's five points. American responded with an 8-1 run. Theodorsson supplied the Bucknell answer, scoring the final three points for the 31-30 halftime lead.Â
American took the 32-31 advantage at 8:24 for its last lead, which only survived for 16 seconds before O'Connor buried a three-pointer. It was also American's final field goal until the fourth quarter. The Bison's offense stagnated for stretches, but Bucknell added enough points to build a sturdy advantage, eventually leading 41-33 as the third quarter closed. It was a balanced effort with four Bison recording points. The two teams shot a combined 3-of-30 in the quarter.Â
Bucknell put the game to bed relatively quickly in the fourth quarter. American cut the deficit to 41-35 before the Orange & Blue unleashed a 14-2 run to end any credible comeback. O'Connor led the attack with eight points, including two three-pointers. Isabella King put an exclamation point on the rally with a bank shot three as the shot clock blared its conclusion.Â
The Bison ran its lead to 60-41 before Woodruff relented and issued massive substitution, displaying good sportsmanship and allowing the bench to obtain valuable minutes. Sabino added a free throw, and American provided six points to end the scoring at 61-47. It was the Bison's second straight game with 61 points and the second consecutive win.Â
Notes
The Bison celebrated National Women & Girls in Sports Day. Numerous Bucknell women's teams were on hand to be honored at halftime, and the team hosted a postgame autograph session attended by players from those squads.Â
Up Next
The Patriot League has a circuit-wide bye this Wednesday. Bucknell returns to action Saturday, Feb. 10, for a showdown in Beantown against Boston.Â
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Bucknell led 31-30 at halftime and held the Eagles to 1-for-17 shooting and just three points in the third quarter to open up a 41-33 edge at the end of three quarters. American was still stuck at just 10 points in the second half with just over two minutes to play.Â
O'Connor gave the Bison their first double-digit advantage with a 3-pointer, making it 47-35 in the fourth quarter. She knocked down another 3-pointer two possessions later, and Isabella King hit a shot clock-beating 3-pointer on the ensuing possession to make it 53-37. Bucknell led by as many as 19 points in the final quarter.
American finished the contest 17 of 64 (26.6 percent) from the field, including 6 of 33 (18.2 percent) in the second half. The Bison shot nearly 39 percent (21-for-54).
Emma Theodorsson tallied 17 points for Bucknell, while Grace Sullivan scored 11. Ashley Sofilkanich grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds, including six offensive, to go along with seven points. The Bison held a strong 46-32 edge on the boards, with Theodorsson adding nine.
"I'm thrilled with the outcome," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "We defended the paint. We did well on the glass. We emphasized winning the paint, and we did. We scored more points in the paint, and they only achieved nine offensive rebounds."Â
American started the game on fire, erupting on a 7-0 run, prompting Coach Woodruff to issue a timeout. The stoppage worked immediately. Theodorsson hit a two-pointer, and Bucknell began climbing back into the game. Ashley O'Connor's pull-up jumper with 4:22 left tied the game at 12-12. From there, American retook the lead before Theodorsson added a layup, and Sophia Sabino drained two free throws. American's Ivy Bales added a jumper, but Bucknell led 18-17 after one period.Â
Theo with the steal and Euro step to complete the layup!
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) February 4, 2024
She picked up some moves from playing overseas for Iceland this summer!#rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/MsY4DiZhwc
If both teams were blazing hot in the first quarter, they were icy cool to start the second quarter. The only score until 6:39 remaining was a three-pointer by American's Anna LeMaster. The tally at 6:39 only belonged to the Eagles and gave the visitors a 22-18 lead. The Bison counterattacked with a 9-0 run, powered by Theodorsson's five points. American responded with an 8-1 run. Theodorsson supplied the Bucknell answer, scoring the final three points for the 31-30 halftime lead.Â
American took the 32-31 advantage at 8:24 for its last lead, which only survived for 16 seconds before O'Connor buried a three-pointer. It was also American's final field goal until the fourth quarter. The Bison's offense stagnated for stretches, but Bucknell added enough points to build a sturdy advantage, eventually leading 41-33 as the third quarter closed. It was a balanced effort with four Bison recording points. The two teams shot a combined 3-of-30 in the quarter.Â
Bucknell put the game to bed relatively quickly in the fourth quarter. American cut the deficit to 41-35 before the Orange & Blue unleashed a 14-2 run to end any credible comeback. O'Connor led the attack with eight points, including two three-pointers. Isabella King put an exclamation point on the rally with a bank shot three as the shot clock blared its conclusion.Â
The Bank of Isabella King: Open 24/7
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) February 4, 2024
Watch: https://t.co/7cfJAZlMfR@PatriotLeagueTV |@ESPN#rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/0xDyXM3wet
The Bison ran its lead to 60-41 before Woodruff relented and issued massive substitution, displaying good sportsmanship and allowing the bench to obtain valuable minutes. Sabino added a free throw, and American provided six points to end the scoring at 61-47. It was the Bison's second straight game with 61 points and the second consecutive win.Â
Notes
The Bison celebrated National Women & Girls in Sports Day. Numerous Bucknell women's teams were on hand to be honored at halftime, and the team hosted a postgame autograph session attended by players from those squads.Â
Up Next
The Patriot League has a circuit-wide bye this Wednesday. Bucknell returns to action Saturday, Feb. 10, for a showdown in Beantown against Boston.Â
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Players Mentioned
F/G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F/G
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