Bucknell University Athletics
Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Sofilkanich Wins Fourth Patriot League Player of the Week Award and Bison of the Week
1/27/2025 1:13:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa.- Ashley Sofilkanich produced a historic outcome and guided the Bucknell Women's Basketball team to a 2-0 week to receive her fourth Patriot League PenFed Credit Union Women's Basketball Player of the Week as announced Monday by the league office. She became the first Bison since Jacquie Klotz (2015-16) to earn Player of the Week four times in a season (Klotz notched five). Sofilkanich previously won the award on Dec. 2, Dec. 9, and Jan. 13. She also received the Bucknell Athletic Department's Bison of the Week honor.Â
Sofilkanich torched the opposition scoring 66 points in two games on 23 of 37 shooting from the field. She shot 20 of 25 from the free throw line. The sophomore gathered 18 rebounds, including 11 against Colgate for her 12th career double-double. She facilitated the offense like a point guard delivering 11 assists.Â
She was unstoppable against Colgate notching 44 points on an efficient 16 of 27 shooting and 12 of 16 at the charity stripe. Sofilkanich saved her best for the fourth and overtime periods where she scored 25 points including 10 of Bucknell's 11 points in the 71-67 victory. In the fourth quarter, she deposited 15 points via a superlative 7 of 8 performance.Â
Her 44 points tied Bucknell legend Molly Creamer's single game record and broke Creamer's Sojka Pavilion record of 35 set against Lehigh in 2003. Her 16 made field goals and 27 attempted field goals also set new Sojka Pavilion records.Â
Creamer, who happened to see Sofilkanich play earlier this season at Merrimack, commented on the record-breaking performance.Â
"I was absolutely thrilled to hear about Ashley's incredible performance! It was especially meaningful to see that every basket she scored mattered as she helped her team pull out a huge win in overtime against a very strong conference opponent. I had the pleasure of watching Bucknell play at Merrimack this year and it was immediately evident what an excellent player Ashley is, and I am so excited for her and the team's future.
I also loved her showing appreciation for her teammates in last night's game, many of whom played over 40 minutes, as she knows, just as I do, that you don't score without the entire team and coaching staff – it is truly a team effort.
Ashley is such a phenomenal player with unlimited potential, especially as just a sophomore. She also seems to be a super nice kid, taking the time to say hello to an old-timer like me at the Merrimack game. I am so happy for her and the team and I am sending heartfelt congratulations from both myself and Bison Nation. I hope to see her and the team break many more records in the years to come! We're excited and rooting for them every step of the way!"
Sofilkanich leads the conference in points per game (20.2) - a mark which ranks 19th nationally. She continues to lead the conference in blocks per game (2.4) by a healthy 0.9 margin and remains tenth nationally. Her eigh double-doubles are tied 32nd nationally.Â
The Bison sit at 10-9 overall and 5-3 in Patriot League play. Bucknell hits the road Wednesday to face preseason league favorite Loyola (Md.). The tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.Â
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Sofilkanich torched the opposition scoring 66 points in two games on 23 of 37 shooting from the field. She shot 20 of 25 from the free throw line. The sophomore gathered 18 rebounds, including 11 against Colgate for her 12th career double-double. She facilitated the offense like a point guard delivering 11 assists.Â
She was unstoppable against Colgate notching 44 points on an efficient 16 of 27 shooting and 12 of 16 at the charity stripe. Sofilkanich saved her best for the fourth and overtime periods where she scored 25 points including 10 of Bucknell's 11 points in the 71-67 victory. In the fourth quarter, she deposited 15 points via a superlative 7 of 8 performance.Â
Her 44 points tied Bucknell legend Molly Creamer's single game record and broke Creamer's Sojka Pavilion record of 35 set against Lehigh in 2003. Her 16 made field goals and 27 attempted field goals also set new Sojka Pavilion records.Â
Creamer, who happened to see Sofilkanich play earlier this season at Merrimack, commented on the record-breaking performance.Â
"I was absolutely thrilled to hear about Ashley's incredible performance! It was especially meaningful to see that every basket she scored mattered as she helped her team pull out a huge win in overtime against a very strong conference opponent. I had the pleasure of watching Bucknell play at Merrimack this year and it was immediately evident what an excellent player Ashley is, and I am so excited for her and the team's future.
I also loved her showing appreciation for her teammates in last night's game, many of whom played over 40 minutes, as she knows, just as I do, that you don't score without the entire team and coaching staff – it is truly a team effort.
Ashley is such a phenomenal player with unlimited potential, especially as just a sophomore. She also seems to be a super nice kid, taking the time to say hello to an old-timer like me at the Merrimack game. I am so happy for her and the team and I am sending heartfelt congratulations from both myself and Bison Nation. I hope to see her and the team break many more records in the years to come! We're excited and rooting for them every step of the way!"
Her encore against Boston University did not reach the same statistical heights but nevertheless was as vital in Bucknell's 74-59 victory. Sofilkanich provided 22 points on an economical 7 of 10 shooting while going 8 of 9 from the free throw line as the Bison moved 7-2 at home.ÂGame recognizes game.
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) January 25, 2025
Bucknell WBB legend & Hall of Famer Molly Creamer was ecstatic to see @ImAshleySof tie her single-game scoring record of 44 points!@JackRidenour11 provided the eloquent description. @PatriotLeagueHQ#rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/pOrAdrMgBK
Sofilkanich leads the conference in points per game (20.2) - a mark which ranks 19th nationally. She continues to lead the conference in blocks per game (2.4) by a healthy 0.9 margin and remains tenth nationally. Her eigh double-doubles are tied 32nd nationally.Â
The Bison sit at 10-9 overall and 5-3 in Patriot League play. Bucknell hits the road Wednesday to face preseason league favorite Loyola (Md.). The tip is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.Â
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Players Mentioned
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