Women's Basketball Earns First Conference Victory with 51-34 Decision at Colgate

HAMILTON, N.Y.- Powered by Ashley Sofilkanich's game-high 16 points and Reese Zemitis's first collegiate double-double (14-11), the Bucknell Bison (6-7, 1-1 Patriot League) won a 51-34 decision over the Colgate Raiders (10-5, 0-2 Patriot League) on Sunday afternoon. The Bison built an early lead, never trailed in the contest, and led by as many as 19 points in the second half.

"It was a gritty win on the road against a really tough veteran team," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "We showed some growth by getting out to a better start and the defense stayed consistent for 40 minutes."

Bucknell's defense was the star of the performance holding Colgate to a paltry 26.1% on 12-of-46 shooting and a miserable 7.7% (1-of-13) from three-point land. The Bison were more efficient hitting 38.8% (19-of-49) and were aces from beyond the arc hitting 8-of-15 (53.3%). The proficient three-point fireworks show offset Colgate's advantage in free throw attempts. The Raiders had 15 attempts to Bucknell's seven. Colgate hit nine of the chances while the Orange & Blue converted five.

Zemitis's insertion in the starting lineup has paid immediate dividends with the freshman averaging nearly 14 ppg in her three starts. Zemitis went 5-of-9 from the field and an impactful 4-of-7 from downtown including a key trey in the fourth quarter to extend Bucknell's lead to 43-25 and effectively put the game to bed.

Sofilkanich had a slow first half but heated up in the second scoring 10 of her 16 points. The sophomore collected seven baskets against intense defensive pressure and pulled down eight rebounds.

Sophia Sabino scored ten points matching a career-high and season-high. The guard dished out a team-high four assists.

Isabella King scored six points on two three-pointers but both shots came at crucial junctions increasing Bucknell's lead to 40-25 and 49-31 in the fourth quarter.

Anne Bair led Colgate with 12 points on 3-of-9 shooting. The Bison held Sophia Diehl scoreless.

The sole tie in the game occurred in the first quarter when Colgate's Madison Schiller answered Zemitis's trey with one of her own. The Bison uncorked a 10-0 run re-establishing its 37:06 minutes of game time with the lead. The Raiders ended the quarter on a 7-0 run capped by a buzzer-beater basket.

The stretch grew to 9-0 in the second quarter and cut the Bison lead to 15-12. It was the last time the Raiders would be in one basket distance. Another 10-0 Bucknell run climaxed by a Zemitis trey regained a double-digit lead that never faded away. The teams traded two points for the 27-14 Bucknell halftime advantage.

Colgate twice cut the lead to 11 points in the third quarter (29-18 & 31-20) but Bucknell kept ahead of the Raiders and held a 37-25 lead entering the final stanza.

Bucknell did not allow a late-game rally with King and Zemitis hitting back-to-back three-pointers two minutes into the period. Colgate had a mini 5-0 run but Sabino was fouled on a three-pointer attempt. The guard converted all three attempts. Colgate hit a free throw followed by another King three-pointer for a 49-31 lead. The final minutes played out to a 51-34 Bucknell victory.

Up Next

The Bison remain roadbound with a trip to Lafayette on Jan. 8.

Women's Basketball Earns First Conference Victory with 51-34 Decision at Colgate

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Team Stats

Ashley Sofilkanich

Reese Zemitis

Sophia Sabino

Isabella King

Players Mentioned

Isabella King

Sophia Sabino

Ashley Sofilkanich

Reese Zemitis