Wednesday, February 26
Lewisburg, Pa.
6 p.m.
Bucknell University
15-12,10-6Patriot
79
vs
45
Loyola (Md.)
9-18,3-13Patriot
1
2
3
4
F
Loyola Maryland
16
6
9
14
45
Bucknell
22
24
22
11
79
Photo by: Lianne Garrahan
Women's Basketball Uses Strong All-Around Performance to Defeat Loyola 79-45
2/26/2025 7:40:00 PM | Women's Basketball
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Isabella King made three of her four three-pointers in the first quarter, and Bucknell outscored Loyola Maryland 46-15 in the middle two quarters, as the Bison women's basketball team posted its largest victory of the season, 79-45 over Loyola Maryland. Bucknell dominated in all areas of the game, shooting better than 61 percent, outrebounding the Greyhounds 40-16 and registering 25 points off the bench to Loyola's 11. Bucknell had not outscored an opponent's bench since at Holy Cross on Jan. 15.
The Bison (15-12, 10-6 PL) led 28-22 midway through the second quarter before holding Loyola (9-18, 3-13 PL) scoreless for more than seven minutes into the third quarter as they scored 20 straight points to open a commanding lead.CROWN HER!
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) February 26, 2025
King is 4-of-4 from three-point land!
We consider that pretty good!
Watch: https://t.co/JQgs829mt3@ESPNPlus | @PatriotLeagueHQ #rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/jWPV3ebegl
Bucknell shot 61.5% (32 of 52) the first time it hit better than 60% of its shots since Feb. 20, 2019 when it made 63.2% (36 of 57) also against Loyola.
"Really good outcome for us," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "I am really pleased how we responded after a tough week. The response was good in practice and in the game. Our players deserve the credit. Hopefully, it gets us going in the right direction as we head towards in the postseason."
Ashley Sofilkanich led Bucknell with 16 points in just 20 minutes, while King chipped in 14 points and seven rebounds. Tuana Coskun added 11 points off the bench on perfect 4-for-4 shooting and Sophia Sabino was also in double figures with 10 points and four assists.
"We know coming in they were going to double Ashley and that the kickouts would be open," said King. "Ashley was doubled and she kicked it out to me and I shot it confidently knowing I would be wide open."
Sofilkanich's seven made field goals waltzed her into sixth place with 205 and her two made free throws placed her in sole possession of tenth all-time with 121 in Bucknell's single-season history lists. Despite the increased double-team attention, Sofilkanich shot an efficient 7 of 9 from the field and distributed four assists when the defensive pressure prevented an optimal look.
"It feels as good, if not better, when I throw a pass and my teammates hit the shot," said Sofilkanich. "Whether or not, it is me scoring or them scoring, as long as we are scoring as a team and getting the lead and getting better I feel great."
The Bison defense held the Greyhounds to 34.5 percent shooting, including 7 of 30 (23.3 percent) in the second and third quarters. Koi Sims led Loyola with 13 points.
Bucknell and King started the contest with two consecutive three-pointers and Sabino added a layup for the 8-0 lead prompting a Loyola timeout. The Greyhounds switched to a press which startled the Bison and resulted in a 9-8 Loyola lead. The teams exchanged the advantage for most of the period until Bucknell ended the quarter on a 7-0 run for the 22-16 lead - a situation that would never change.
"The offense was consistent throughout the game," said Woodruff. "The biggest concern was the lapse when they came right back with nine straight. But when we were locked in we were tough defensively and they struggled to generate shots."Sabino converts the lay-up and Bucknell leads 8-0!
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) February 26, 2025
Timeout Loyola.
Watch: https://t.co/JQgs829mt3@ESPNPlus | @PatriotLeagueHQ #rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/rnYCpkjMlE
The Bison effectively put the game to bed in the second quarter outscoring Loyola 24-6. Both teams shot 15 times but Bucknell hit ten attempts while Loyola only mustered three makes. The Orange & Blue put together a group effort with Elena Houghton's six points on 3 of 3 shooting leading the charge. Reese Zemitis tallied a three-pointer as the clock drained away moving her into sole possession of ninth place (53) in single-season Bison history and giving the team a 46-22 halftime lead.
Bucknell's hot stretch continued into the third quarter with an 11-0 run which extended into a 18-6 margin. The Bison began substituting heavily at this junction of the game as the media timeout hit on Bucknell's 64-28 advantage.Zemitis drains the three-pointer before halftime to cap the 18-0 run!
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) February 26, 2025
Watch: https://t.co/JQgs829mt3@ESPNPlus | @PatriotLeagueHQ #rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/DWXD8xdppE
The Bison's largest lead of the game (70-31) came with 8:13 in the fourth quarter when Elana Weisman scored two of her eight points on a layup. Julia Heiden saw action for the first time since American on Jan. 11 and narrowly missed two three-pointers. Loyola finished the game with a layup for the 79-45 score.Was that Cooper DeJean?
— Bucknell WBB (@Bucknell_WBB) February 26, 2025
No, it was Isabella King with the interception and she took it to the hoop!
Timeout Loyola as Bucknell extends its lead to 31 points!
Watch: https://t.co/JQgs829mt3@ESPNPlus | @PatriotLeagueHQ #rayBucknell | #tst pic.twitter.com/3ELklxwnAP
Bucknell welcomes Holy Cross this Saturday for Senior Day. The Orange & Blue will honor Sophia Sabino and Isabella King. Bucknell and Holy Cross are tied for fourth place in the Patriot League at 10-6 and home seeding in the Patriot League tournament is on the line.
Team Stats
Loyola
Buck
FG%
.345
.615
3FG%
.176
.526
FT%
.800
.625
RB
16
40
TO
9
11
STL
8
7
Game Leaders
Scoring
Pts
16
FGM
7
3FGM
0
FTM
2
Pts
14
FGM
5
3FGM
4
FTM
0
Pts
11
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
1
Pts
10
FGM
4
3FGM
2
FTM
0
Players Mentioned
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's Basketball
F
/ Women's BasketballF/G
/ Women's BasketballG
/ Women's BasketballF
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
/ Women's Basketball
G/F
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