WILLIAMSPORT, PA (January 9, 2024) - The Susquehanna women's basketball team defeated the Lycoming College Warriors 76-67 Tuesday night to improve to 4-3 in Landmark Conference play and 9-5 overall. The River Hawks' continue their hot stretch as winners of five of their last six, including 2-1 in conference play.
After a low-scoring affair on both sides Saturday at fifth-ranked Scranton, the River Hawks needed a fast start, and they did just that offensively. Julia Pickert and Julia Roth combined for 11 of Susquehanna's 15 points in the first quarter to keep pace with Warriors, who took a two-point lead into the second behind their more balanced attack.
The second quarter was one of many runs. Lycoming early on increased their lead to eight after back-to-back buckets from Megan Dufner, but following a timeout Susquehanna went on an 8-0 run to tie the game at 25-25 with 4:28 to go in the half. However, the Warriors answered back with a 10-1 run of their own with just over 90 seconds remaining in the half, but Susquehanna scored the last five points of the half once again from the Roth and Pinckert duo as Lycoming took a 35-31 lead into the break.
In the third, the River Hawks stole the momentum as they outscored the Warriors 22-13 in the quarter. Roth and Pinckert cooled off but the other players such as Kaitlyn Lynch, Lauren Klein, and Kenzie Selvaggi stepped up to give Susquehanna a lead around the midway mark of the quarter that they never relinquished. This offensive spark along with the defense finally keeping Lycoming in check helped the River Hawks take a 53-48 lead heading into the fourth.
Susquehanna ballooned their lead to as much as nine points just over two minutes into the fourth as Roth got back in rhythm, and that deficit was too big for Lycoming to climb out of. Susquehanna kept their foot on the gas with timely baskets and free throws to close out a much-needed road win.
Roth led the River Hawks in scoring with 25 points, tying her career high, and grabbed eight rebounds. Pinckert and Selvaggi also scored in double figures, Pinckert with 14 points and six assists, and Selvaggi with 12 points.
Susquehanna returns home this Friday to match up against Wilkes as they look to close in on their first Landmark Conference Tournament appearance under head coach Gabby Holko. The game will start at 7 p.m.
