Monday, March 11
Worcester, MA
7:00 p.m.
Bucknell University
13-18,9-9Patriot
56
at
61
Holy Cross (PL Quarterfinals)
18-12,11-7Patriot
1
2
3
4
F
Bucknell
16
7
17
16
56
Holy Cross
17
8
14
22
61
Women's Basketball Drops 61-56 Decision to Holy Cross in PL Quarterfinals
3/11/2024 8:52:00 PM | Women's Basketball
WORCESTER, MASS.- The Bucknell Bison women's basketball team (13-18, 9-9 Patriot League) battled the one-seeded Holy Cross Crusaders (18-12, 11-7 Patriot League) to the final buzzer in a 61-56 decision in the Patriot League Quarterfinals on Monday night. Bucknell led 42-39 in the fourth quarter before the Crusaders finished the game on a 22-14 run.Â
Ashley Sofilkanich directed the Bison attack with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 5-of-6 from the foul line. Emma Theodorsson shot 5-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe.Â
Bucknell was efficient from the field, shooting 20-of-44 (45.5%) from the court and 14-of-16 (87.5%) from the foul line.Â
Holy Cross was led by their First Team member, Bronagh Power-Cassidy, who totaled 14 points. Janelle Allen added 13 points for the purple-clad team.Â
The Crusaders shot just over 40 percent on 24-of-59 shooting. The additional 15 shots proved decisive for Holy Cross.Â
The first quarter featured a heavy spat of scoring as both teams shot 50 percent or better. The pace of play was marked by the back-and-forth method of scoring. There were two lead changes and five ties. The largest lead in the first quarter was 17-14 Holy Cross. Bucknell matched nearly every point and only trailed 17-16 at the quarter's conclusion. It was a balanced effort for the Bison, as five players recorded points. Theodorsson tallied six to lead the Orange & Blue's scorers.
Both defenses dictated the second quarter, as neither squad scored double-digits. Bucknell scored seven points, and Holy Cross totaled eight. The Bison tied the game at 19-19 on Sophia Sabino's top-of-the-key three-pointer. The momentum shifted to the Crusaders afterward as Holy Cross used a 6-0 run to build separation. The run was made possible by the Bison going scoreless for seven minutes after Sabino's trey. Fortunately for the Orange & Blue partisans, Bucknell's defense prevented further disadvantages. The Bison ended the half on a high note, with a 4-0 run keyed by Sofilkanich and Ashley O'Connor baskets.
The squadrons ramped up production in the third quarter as the scoring droughts of the second quarter evaporated. Theodorsson tied the contest at 27-27. Once again, the Crusaders answered with a 4-0 mini-run to create distance. Bucknell proved equal to the task, going on an 8-2 stretch to retake the lead for the first time since the opening stanza. Sofilkanich's basket capped the run. Holy Cross immediately tied the game and then went up 39-38. Matthews drew a foul and deposited both free throws in the bank. The third quarter ended with Bucknell up 40-39.
The final quarter featured plenty of action. Bucknell grabbed its largest lead (42-39) on two Theodorsson free throws. Holy Cross, displaying the veteran attributes that won the tournament in 2022-23, launched a 9-3 run. King hit a lay-up during the stretch to tie the game at 44-44, but the Crusaders remained undaunted. The Bison drew within 48-46 before the Crusaders' McCormack drained a three-pointer. Several minutes later, Bucknell again crept within one possession (53-50), and McCormack dropped another trey. Holy Cross shot 4-of-18 from three-point land but went 3-of-6 in the final quarter.
Bucknell tried to answer, but two straight turnovers derailed the comeback attempt. Holy Cross hit a free throw for a 57-50 lead. Coach Trevor Woodruff called timeout and called a magnificent play, which had Theodorsson score in three seconds. The Crusaders were fouled and hit both free throws. Sofilkanich tallied a lay-up. Holy Cross repeated the process of draining both free throws. Matthews scored a lay-up, and then a flicker of hope arrived as Theodorsson stole the ball with nine seconds left. The sophomore guard maneuvered, but her three-pointer fell short, and Holy Cross escaped with the 61-56 victory to advance to the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals.
Up Next
Bucknell's season has concluded. The Bison return to action in November 2024.
Â
Ashley Sofilkanich directed the Bison attack with 17 points on 6-of-11 shooting and 5-of-6 from the foul line. Emma Theodorsson shot 5-of-9 from the field and 5-of-6 from the charity stripe.Â
Bucknell was efficient from the field, shooting 20-of-44 (45.5%) from the court and 14-of-16 (87.5%) from the foul line.Â
Holy Cross was led by their First Team member, Bronagh Power-Cassidy, who totaled 14 points. Janelle Allen added 13 points for the purple-clad team.Â
The Crusaders shot just over 40 percent on 24-of-59 shooting. The additional 15 shots proved decisive for Holy Cross.Â
The first quarter featured a heavy spat of scoring as both teams shot 50 percent or better. The pace of play was marked by the back-and-forth method of scoring. There were two lead changes and five ties. The largest lead in the first quarter was 17-14 Holy Cross. Bucknell matched nearly every point and only trailed 17-16 at the quarter's conclusion. It was a balanced effort for the Bison, as five players recorded points. Theodorsson tallied six to lead the Orange & Blue's scorers.
Both defenses dictated the second quarter, as neither squad scored double-digits. Bucknell scored seven points, and Holy Cross totaled eight. The Bison tied the game at 19-19 on Sophia Sabino's top-of-the-key three-pointer. The momentum shifted to the Crusaders afterward as Holy Cross used a 6-0 run to build separation. The run was made possible by the Bison going scoreless for seven minutes after Sabino's trey. Fortunately for the Orange & Blue partisans, Bucknell's defense prevented further disadvantages. The Bison ended the half on a high note, with a 4-0 run keyed by Sofilkanich and Ashley O'Connor baskets.
The squadrons ramped up production in the third quarter as the scoring droughts of the second quarter evaporated. Theodorsson tied the contest at 27-27. Once again, the Crusaders answered with a 4-0 mini-run to create distance. Bucknell proved equal to the task, going on an 8-2 stretch to retake the lead for the first time since the opening stanza. Sofilkanich's basket capped the run. Holy Cross immediately tied the game and then went up 39-38. Matthews drew a foul and deposited both free throws in the bank. The third quarter ended with Bucknell up 40-39.
The final quarter featured plenty of action. Bucknell grabbed its largest lead (42-39) on two Theodorsson free throws. Holy Cross, displaying the veteran attributes that won the tournament in 2022-23, launched a 9-3 run. King hit a lay-up during the stretch to tie the game at 44-44, but the Crusaders remained undaunted. The Bison drew within 48-46 before the Crusaders' McCormack drained a three-pointer. Several minutes later, Bucknell again crept within one possession (53-50), and McCormack dropped another trey. Holy Cross shot 4-of-18 from three-point land but went 3-of-6 in the final quarter.
Bucknell tried to answer, but two straight turnovers derailed the comeback attempt. Holy Cross hit a free throw for a 57-50 lead. Coach Trevor Woodruff called timeout and called a magnificent play, which had Theodorsson score in three seconds. The Crusaders were fouled and hit both free throws. Sofilkanich tallied a lay-up. Holy Cross repeated the process of draining both free throws. Matthews scored a lay-up, and then a flicker of hope arrived as Theodorsson stole the ball with nine seconds left. The sophomore guard maneuvered, but her three-pointer fell short, and Holy Cross escaped with the 61-56 victory to advance to the Patriot League Tournament Semifinals.
Up Next
Bucknell's season has concluded. The Bison return to action in November 2024.
Â
Team Stats
Buck
HolyCr
FG%
.455
.407
3FG%
.200
.222
FT%
.875
.818
RB
28
31
TO
20
15
STL
9
8
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
17
FGM
6
3FGM
0
FTM
5
Pts
16
FGM
5
3FGM
1
FTM
5
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
6
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Players Mentioned
G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's BasketballF/G
/ Women's BasketballIn The Herd: Patriot League And Home Opener Preview And Cameron Lloyd Feature
Wednesday, September 17
In The Herd: World Championships Preview And Evelyn Bliss Feature
Tuesday, September 16
(Coaches Camera) Salem Men's Water Polo Vs. Gannon (9/21/25)
Monday, September 15
Salem Men's Water Polo Vs. Gannon (9/21/25)
Monday, September 15