SELINSGROVE, PA - Susquehanna University women's basketball opened its 2026-27 campaign in impressive fashion Saturday evening, cruising past St. John Fisher University, 59-34, in the opening round of the Susquehanna Tipoff Tournament at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium. After a tightly contested opening quarter, the River Hawks found their rhythm offensively and delivered a dominant second-half performance to secure their spot in Sunday's championship game.
Annie Greek led the way with a game-high 16 points, while
Sydney Weyant added 10 points and six rebounds. Susquehanna's balanced offensive attack and suffocating defensive effort proved to be the difference, as the River Hawks held the Cardinals to just 34 points and 22.0 percent shooting from the floor.
With the victory, Susquehanna advances to Sunday's tournament championship game, where it will face Christopher Newport University at 3 p.m. The nationally ranked Captains defeated SUNY Cobleskill, 60-50, in Saturday's other opening-round matchup to set up the championship showdown.
How It Went Down
- The River Hawks opened the contest looking to establish themselves offensively, but St. John Fisher struck first with a layup from Payton O'Dell. Zoie Maffei answered with a basket inside to even the score at 2-2, and Weyant later added a jumper to tie the game at 4-4. The Cardinals found some separation midway through the quarter, using a fast-break basket and a three-pointer from Maggie Miller to build a 9-4 advantage.
- Maffei helped keep Susquehanna within striking distance, scoring another layup late in the period, but the River Hawks entered the second quarter trailing 9-6.
- Susquehanna began turning the momentum in the second quarter. Maffei knocked down both free throws to pull the River Hawks within one before Greta Servitto finished inside off an assist from Olivia Watkins to give Susquehanna its first lead of the evening at 10-9. After Fisher briefly reclaimed the advantage, the River Hawks responded with a three-pointer from Morgan Cicek.
- The two teams continued trading baskets before Susquehanna began creating separation. Greek connected from beyond the arc to put the River Hawks ahead 15-13, and Servitto followed with another basket in the paint to extend the advantage to four. Fisher answered to make it a two-point game, but Delaney Chilcote converted a free throw before knocking down a three-pointer off an assist from Servitto. The late scoring surge helped Susquehanna take a 21-16 lead into halftime after outscoring the Cardinals 15-7 in the second quarter.
- The River Hawks came out of the break with an entirely different level of offensive energy, putting together their best quarter of the night. Greek opened the scoring with a three-pointer, and Susquehanna continued attacking the basket while finding opportunities from the perimeter. Weyant, Servitto and Maffei helped fuel the offensive outburst as the River Hawks consistently found ways to score.
- Susquehanna poured in 25 points in the third quarter while holding Fisher to just nine. The defensive pressure forced difficult shots and limited the Cardinals' opportunities, allowing the River Hawks to turn a five-point halftime advantage into a commanding 46-25 lead heading into the final 10 minutes.
- With momentum firmly on their side, the River Hawks maintained control throughout the fourth quarter. Greek continued to lead the offensive charge, while Weyant and Servitto helped keep the offense moving. Susquehanna added 13 more points in the final period and once again held Fisher to just nine, closing out a convincing 59-34 season-opening victory.
Inside the Box Score
- Annie Greek paced all scorers with 16 points, shooting 5-of-11 from the floor and 2-of-5 from three-point range. She also grabbed four rebounds and recorded two steals.
- Sydney Weyant reached double figures with 10 points, adding six rebounds, three blocked shots and a steal.
- Greta Servitto finished with eight points, five rebounds and three assists while providing an important presence in the paint.
- Zoie Maffei also contributed eight points, four rebounds and a team-high four assists.
- Delaney Chilcote grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, including eight defensive boards, while adding four points and an assist.
- Kate Henn provided four points and four rebounds off the bench.
- Cassie Doemling made the most of her opportunity, going 2-for-2 from the floor for four points.
- Susquehanna dominated the glass, outrebounding St. John Fisher 49-32.
- The River Hawks shot 41.8 percent from the floor compared to just 22.0 percent for the Cardinals.
- Susquehanna also held advantages in points in the paint (32-16), assists (19-7) and fast-break points (9-3).
Up Next for the River Hawks
- Susquehanna will return to Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Sunday afternoon for the championship game of the Susquehanna Tipoff Tournament. The River Hawks will face Christopher Newport at 3 p.m. after the Captains defeated SUNY Cobleskill 60-50 in Saturday's second semifinal.
- Christopher Newport enters Sunday's matchup ranked No. 12 nationally in the D3hoops.com preseason poll after finishing 24-5 last season and reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
- The River Hawks will look to carry Saturday's momentum into Sunday's championship matchup as they pursue the tournament title in their first weekend of the new season!
