Bucknell Women Grind Out 67-63 Road Win Over Boston University

BOSTON, Mass.- The Bucknell Bison women's basketball team grabbed an early lead and never relinquished the advantage in a tenacious 67-63 victory over the Boston University Terriers (8-15, 2-10 Patriot League) on Wednesday night. Bucknell's win combined with a Holy Cross loss to Colgate moved all three teams into a three-way tie for third place in the Patriot League.

Bucknell (13-10, 8-4 Patriot League) used the most balanced team scoring effort in years with five players tallying double-digits for the first time since versus Colgate on March 2, 2022. Reese Zemitis scored 14 points to lead the Bison. Three players notched 13 points: Tuana Coskun, Isabella King, and Sophia Sabino. Ashley Sofilkanich used nine fourth-quarter points to reach double-digits (11).

Boston University rallied late cutting the deficit to 61-57. Bucknell never panicked with Sofilkanich hitting clutch baskets and free throws to keep the Terriers at bay and seal the victory. Sofilkanich scored Bucknell's final six points and nine of the Bison's 18 in the final stanza. Her three blocks moved her into a tie for fourth all-time in career blocks (117) in Bucknell history with Audrey Dotson (2011-15).

The Terriers gave Sofilkanich plenty of increased attention with double and triple teams galore. The Bison took advantage to rain three-pointers hitting 8 of 22 (36.4%), and the percentage would have been higher had four or five not popped out after going halfway down.

Aoibhe Gormley led Boston with 16 points. Six-foot-five Anete Adler tallied 13 points off the bench for the Terriers.

After shooting a season-best 58% against Army, Bucknell continued its hot stretch hitting 52% (26 of 50). Boston was nearly as proficient going 21 of 44 (47.7%). The Terriers stayed in the game hitting 18 of 20 (90%) free throws compared to Bucknell's 7 of 9 (77.8%).

Boston took an early 14-11 lead before the Bison unleashed a 13-0 run and never trailed again. Three treys fueled Bucknell's stretch and quieted Case Gym. The shots came via the Terriers keying on Sofilkanich in the paint. Bucknell kept scoring and led 30-23 at halftime.

The Bison continued to drain three-pointers increasing its lead to 40-29 after Zemitis and King hit back-to-back shots. King's three-pointer tied her for seventh in Bucknell history with Kaitlyn Slagus at 134.

Boston responded with a run cutting the deficit to 44-38. Zemitis replied again with a massive trey. King hit two free throws giving the Bison a 49-41 lead as the third quarter ended.

Bucknell led 61-52 with 3:36 remaining and the lead looked secure. Boston scored five quick points and tension began to build. Sofilkanich filled the breach with a layup. Boston hit a layup and Sofilkanich drew a foul and converted both free throws for a 65-59 advantage. Gormley replied with two free throws and the Terriers fouled Sofilkanich as the shot clock expired with 13 seconds left. The sophomore hit one of two attempts. Gormley drew another foul and converted both attempts. Bucknell called timeout to advance the ball and fed the ball to Sofilkanich. Boston swarmed the forward, and Sofilkanich hit a clutch free throw to make it a two-possession game.

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Bucknell returns to Sojka Pavilion to welcome Lafayette on Feb. 15.

Bucknell Women Grind Out 67-63 Road Win Over Boston University

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Team Stats

Reese Zemitis

Isabella King

Sophia Sabino

Tuana Coskun

Players Mentioned

Tuana Coskun

Isabella King

Sophia Sabino

Ashley Sofilkanich

Reese Zemitis