Women's Basketball Posts Second Straight Win, Defeats Boston U. 74-59

LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's basketball team shot better than 60 percent in the first quarter to race out to a 19-8 lead after 10 minutes and finished the game shooting a season-best 57.4 percent en route to a season-high point total in a 74-59 win over Boston U. Saturday afternoon at Sojka Pavilion. Ashley Sofilkanich posted game highs with 22 points on efficient 7 of 10 shooting, seven rebounds and a career high-tying six assists to lead the Bison.

"Great day for the team," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "A tip of the cap to Boston. They were prepared and that is a team that will provide a tough night for any team. I thought our team played well and we responded when Boston made runs to make the lead at a good margin. Every win is a good win."

Bucknell (10-9, 5-3 PL) led for more than 36 minutes in the contest, including by a game-high 17 points late in the fourth quarter. The Bison were up 35-24 at halftime and kept their advantage at least six points for the duration of the second half.

Bucknell was 27-for-47 from the field, 9-for-18 from 3-point range and 11-for-12 from the free throw line. Reese Zemitis and Sophia Sabino each knocked down three 3-pointers as four of the Bison's five starters recorded double figures. Sabino finished with 15, Zemitis 13 and Tuana Coskun 12.

"I was feeling good," said Sophia Sabino. "It helps having confidence from your coaches and teammates. They have done a good job and getting in the gym with the coaches has played a large role. It is huge when we move the ball and getting the right people in the right spots. It really works for the outside shooters when Ashley gets the ball inside."

Boston U. (7-12, 1-7 PL) was led by 15 points from Anete Adler in just 16 minutes off the bench. The Bucknell defense limited the Terriers to 23 of 55 (41.8 percent) shooting from the field.

The Bison outrebounded Boston 31-19.

Boston led 5-2 in the opening stanza before a 11-0 Bucknell run obliterated the advantage and gave Bucknell the lead forevermore. Four different Orange & Blue players contributed during the stretch. Terrier head coach Melissa Graves called timeout but the brief lapse did not deter the Bison offense as the quarter ended with Bucknell leading 19-8.

Bucknell extended its lead to 24-10 before the Terriers scored six quick points prompting a Woodruff timeout. His strategy proved advantageous as the Bison reestablished a double-digit margin leading 35-24 at halftime. Elana Weisman scored all five of her points during the second period.

The Terriers made their last serious run in the third quarter cutting the deficit to 42-36 with 6:01 remaining when their First Team All-Patriot League guard Alex Giannaros drained a three-pointer. Sofilkanich answered 30 seconds later with a turnaround jump shot as part of a stretch that restored the Bison's double-digit setting to 51-41 entering the final quarter.

The game's dagger struck with 8:26 left when Tuana Coskun nailed a three-pointer establishing a 57-43 lead. Bucknell continued to score and went up 66-49 for its largest lead of the game. Boston staged a mini-run and moved within 68-59 with 1:22 left but the Bison were in no real danger and proved it by hitting back-to-back three pointers for the final 74-59 score.

Up Next

Bucknell returns to the road to play Loyola (Md.) this Wednesday. The Greyhounds were voted the preseason league favorite.

Women's Basketball Posts Second Straight Win, Defeats Boston U. 74-59

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Team Stats

Ashley Sofilkanich

Sophia Sabino

Reese Zemitis

Tuana Coskun

Players Mentioned

Tuana Coskun

Sophia Sabino

Ashley Sofilkanich

Elana Weisman

Reese Zemitis