Wednesday, January 22
Lewisburg, Pa.
6 p.m.
Bucknell University
9-9,4-3Patriot
71
vs
67
Colgate
14-6,4-3Patriot
1
2
3
4
OT 1
F
Colgate
11
16
19
14
7
67
Bucknell
14
12
16
18
11
71
Sofilkanich Ties Bucknell Record With 44 Points in 71-67 OT Win Over Colgate
1/22/2025 8:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Ashley Sofilkanich tied Bucknell's 22-year-old single-game scoring record with 44 points to lead the Bison women's basketball team to a hard-fought 71-67 overtime victory over Colgate Wednesday evening at Sojka Pavilion. Sofilkanich made 16 of 27 field goals, 12 of 16 free throws, grabbed 11 rebounds and totaled five assists as she recorded her 12th career double-double.
The game was close throughout as neither team led by more than five points. There were 23 lead changes and 12 ties.Â
"I am thrilled for our team," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "That is a tough group to play against and it helped in our overall development regarding toughness. We were getting loose balls and making contested baskets. Last week was a tough stretch and it was important to get back on track at Sojka."
Sofilkanich's 44 points tied Molly Creamer's program record that was set in 2003 against Lafayette. Her 16 field goals also tied the school record, most recently recorded by Creamer in that contest. Sofilkanich's 44 points marked the first time a Bison player since Creamer eclipsed the 40-point barrier. She also shattered the Sojka Pavilion record of 35 points set by Creamer versus Lehigh on Jan. 15, 2003. Sofilkanich finished five points away from tying the Patriot League record of 49 points set by Army's Kelsey Minato against Holy Cross on Feb.12, 2014.
"In the beginning of the season, we lost a game at Merrimack," said Sofilkanich. "I had a conversation afterward with Molly. It helped knowing that a great player who played in the program still cared enough to attend a game and talk with me. Some of the things she said to me I have taken to heart and inputted them into my game."
Sofilkanich set or tied other Sojka Pavilion records. She reset the standard in field goals made (16), field goals attempted (27), and free throws attempted (16). Creamer held the record for field goals attempted and Desire Almind was the standard bearer in the other two categories.Â
"I challenge Ashley everyday," said Woodruff. "When Ashley meets expectations, we move the expectations. That is the only way I know to continue her development. We got a long way to go. Tonight is a jewel of a night for her life, her career, and our program but tomorrow we are going back to work and she will be the first one to tell that there is a new march for Saturday. I am so proud of her and love coaching her."
It was the ninth 40-point game in Division I this season and the third highest total behind Ashley Hawkins (Gardner Webb) who scored 47 points against Queens on Dec. 20 and Grace Larkins (South Dakota State) who tallied 45 points versus Omaha on Jan. 11.Â
"My teammates believing in me was huge," said Sofilkanich. "I know it is hard playing with someone who is taking most of the shots. I love to pass the ball. It is a great feeling to assist a teammate but the one-on-one situation in the post was to my benefit. All of the moves - some of them I didn't even know where they came from. I am just glad they went in."Â
Four of Bucknell's five starters in the contest played more than 40 minutes, with Sofilkanich leading the way with more than 43 minutes. Starters Sofilkanich, Isabella King (8), Tuana Coskin (7), Reese Zemitis (4) and Sophia Sabino (4) combined for 67 of the team's 71 points as the Bison snapped a two-game losing streak to improve to 9-9 overall and 4-3 in the Patriot League. It was Bucknell's first win this season where they trailed at halftime. The Orange & Blue were previously 0-7 in such a scenario. Â
Colgate (14-6, 4-3 PL) had three players in double figures, led by 16 points from Morgan McMahon.
The first quarter set the tone for the game. Neither team could breakaway and the Bison's five-point lead of 14-9 immediately cut into by a Colgate buzzer-beater demonstrated the parity of the opponents. Sofilkanich tallied ten points in the opening stanza foreshadowing her historic barrage.Â
Colgate slowed down the Bison sharpshooter in the second quarter holding her to 1 of 7 from the field and the Bison to 4 of 14 overall. Isabella King assisted by dropping five points, including a three-pointer which moved her into sole possession of eighth all-time in Bucknell history. The Raiders forged ahead for a narrow 27-26 halftime advantage.Â
Bucknell led 34-30 in the third quarter before the Raiders slipped ahead for a 46-42 lead. Sophia Diehl drained a trey with 3:55 remaining for the 37-36 Colgate advantage. Three times the Bison regained the lead and three times the Raiders seized it. Sofilkanich scored four points in the quarter.Â
The final quarter of regulation belonged to Sofilkanich, who laid uncontested claim scoring 15 points on a superlative 7 of 8 from the field. The Raiders refused to double-team the unstoppable sophomore and Sofilkanich repeatedly cashed in with beautiful pivot foot layups. However, the Bison did not regain the lead until 4:29 remaining when Sofilkanich deposited a layup. The Orange & Blue cut the deficit to one point on numerous occasions only for the Raiders to play keep away.
Bucknell increased its lead to 57-52 and appeared ready for victory when Colgate's McMahon drained a three-pointer after the Raiders earlier converted a free throw. Sofilkanich answered, as usual, with a layup but McMahon, displaying her brand of late game heroics, replied with a driving layup. Sophia Sabino was fouled and made 1 of 2 free throws leaving the door open with a 60-58 score. Colgate's Anne Bair drove to the basket and was fouled by Sofilkanich. The Raider calmly tied the game at 60-60. Bucknell called timeout to advance the ball but Sofilkanich's attempt rimmed off sending the game to overtime.Â
In overtime, Sofilkanich passed into Bison lore scoring 10 of Bucknell's 11 points on 3 of 3 from the field and 4 of 6 from the foul line. The Bison defense rose up and held Colgate to 1 of 10 shooting. McMahon made Colgate's first shot but the defensive clamps prevented any more field goals. The Raiders hit five free throws but it was not enough to equal Sofilkanich's fiery performance. Back-to-back layups by Sofilkanich made it 68-64 and the Bison held onto the lead despite Colgate twice cutting the deficit to two points (68-66 & 69-67). Sofilkanich put the game to bed with two free throws at the 18 second mark successfully tying Creamer's record.
The sophomore had a chance to claim sole possession when she was fouled with one second remaining but the two free throw attempts misfired thus pairing she and Creamer together in Bucknell history. The time ran out and her jubilant teammates swarmed the exhausted forward celebrating the 71-67 victory.ÂThis free throw tied Ashley Sofilkanich with Molly Creamer for most points (44) in Bucknell's single-game history. @JackRidenour11 provided the historic call. @PatriotLeagueHQ | @MarchMadnessWBB #rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/BfdTxgAAy6
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) January 23, 2025
Up NextÂ
Bucknell welcomes Boston U. for a Saturday afternoon showdown at 2 p.m.
 Â
Team Stats
Colg
Buck
FG%
.373
.500
3FG%
.353
.500
FT%
.708
.625
RB
32
34
TO
10
12
STL
8
6
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
44
FGM
16
3FGM
0
FTM
12
Pts
8
FGM
3
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Pts
7
FGM
3
3FGM
0
FTM
1
Pts
4
FGM
2
3FGM
0
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F/G
/ Women's Basketball
G
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballG/F
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