Women's Basketball Posts 75-65 Victory Over Second-Place Army West Point

LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Bucknell women's basketball team made a season-high 58 percent of its field goal attempts on its way to a 75-65 win over Army West Point on Saturday afternoon at Sojka Pavilion. Sophomore Ashley Sofilkanich scored 25 points, one of four Bison to score in double figures. The Orange and Blue improved to 7-4 in Patriot League play (12-10 overall) with the win over the Black Knights (16-5, 8-3 PL), who entered the day in sole possession of second place in the conference standings.

Army jumped out to a 9-2 lead in the game's first two minutes, 38 seconds, by making three three pointers and prompting a Bucknell timeout. The Bison responded with a 18-1 run over the remainder of the first quarter, including making its final seven field goal attempts of the frame, to lead 20-10 after ten minutes. Army cut the score to as close as four a couple of times, but never down to a single possession the rest of the game, and Bucknell led by as many as 17 points in the game's final quarter.

"Our reaction to the start was very good," said head coach Trevor Woodruff. "We shot the ball well. Our offense's execution was good. We made sure Ashley got her touches and then when other players's opportunities came we knocked them in. It was a pretty good all-round performance."

Sofilkanich added seven rebounds, seven assists, three blocks, and two steals to stuff the stat sheet. Isabella King scored 17 points, making seven of her nine field goal attempts, and added six rebounds. Reese Zemitis added 15 points and Tuana Coskun scored 10 points and pulled five rebounds.

King provided offensive fireworks for the second straight game. Last time out against Navy, she scored a career-high 22 points. This season, she has transitioned into a defensive force and holds the honor and responsibility for defending the opposition's toughest scorer.

"King did an amazing job on Trinity Hardy," said Woodruff. "I have tremendous respect for Hardy and she has played well in this league for a long time. Bella did an exceptional job to hold her to one field goal."

Army received a game-high 28 points from Reese Ericson who tied a Sojka Pavilion record with eight made three pointers. Trisha Krewson made eight for the Bison against Lycoming on December 30, 2009.

Bucknell's 18-1 run to end the first quarter set the tone for the contest. The Bison never shot poorer than 50% in a quarter and the Orange & Blue hits an astronomical 80% (8 of 10) in the first stanza, including Zemitis going 2 of 2 from downtown.

The Bison extended their lead to 22-10 before a quick 8-0 Army made appearances dicey. Bucknell pulled ahead 28-20 on a Sofilkanich bucket. Army responded by cutting the deficit to 30-26 when Ericson drained a three-pointer. Sofilkanich's layup created a 34-27 halftime advantage.

Bucknell's offense did not suffer a second-half letdown. A balanced attack led by Sofilkanich's five points netted 19 more to the Bison scoresheet. The Orange & Blue went up 46-32 before an Army surge made it 48-41. Bucknell replied to the move with a 5-0 run to end the quarter.

Army never cut it within single digits again. Bucknell took its largest lead 17 points (64-47) when King hit a three-pointer off a fast break opportunity. Sofilkanich powered the fourth quarter scoring with ten points. The Bison led 75-62 with 32 seconds when wholesale substitutions arrived allowing the starters to be heartily cheered by the Sojka faithful. Ericson hit a final three-pointer with 11 seconds left to pad her Sojka Pavilion record but Bucknell had the 75-65 victory.

The Bison ship up to Massachusetts to play the Boston Terriers on Feb. 12.

Women's Basketball Posts 75-65 Victory Over Second-Place Army West Point

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Team Stats

Ashley Sofilkanich

Isabella King

Reese Zemitis

Tuana Coskun

Players Mentioned

Tuana Coskun

Isabella King

Ashley Sofilkanich

Reese Zemitis