SELINSGROVE, PA - For the first time in program history, the Susquehanna University women's basketball hosted a Landmark Conference Semifinals game Thursday night against Elizabethtown. The game also served as the rubber match as the River Hawks and Blue Jays split their season series and both posted 14-4 conference records on the year. This battle of heavyweights fell in Elizabethtown's favor though, as a close game throughout belonged to the Blue Jays at the final horn by a 68-61 score.
How it Happened:
- Susquehanna jumped to the early four point lead following a Julia Pinckert fast break lay up. Susquehanna netted their first two buckets with Carly George and Julia Pinckert.
- Despite the early lead, the Blue Jays would not go quietly as they knotted the game back up at 6-6.
- Both teams continued to trade baskets, with Elizabethtown jumping out to a five point lead. Susquehanna continued to claw their way in the game, keeping the score close to end the first period of play, 19-16.
- The second quarter consisted of the two powerhouse teams trading blows throughout the majority of the quarter, with neither team jumping out to more than a three -point lead.
- Two late free throws made by Blue Jays Makenna Mummert gave Elizabethtown the lead entering the break, 36-34.
- Susquehanna jumped out to the early lead in the third quarter, with two Carly George made free throws. The Blue Jays scored five of their own points to regain the lead 41-38 with 7:46 remaining in the third frame.
- Susquehanna continued to fight throughout the remainder of the quarter, with Elizabethtown taking a slight lead into the break 49-46.
- The Blue Jays jumped to their biggest lead of the night, taking a seven point lead early in the fourth quarter. Susquehanna continued to fight, regaining the lead with 5:14 remaining.
- Elizabethtown went back in front to lead 62-58 in the final two minutes. A Sydney Weyant three gave the River Hawks a jolt to cut the lead down to 62-61 with just over one minute to play.
- A late foul put Ella Gordon to the line, where she buried both to make it 64-61. Susquehanna's ensuing possession came up empty as a Pinckert three missed the mark and gave the ball back to the Blue Jays. A layup by Makenna Mummert put the visitors up by five, then another missed three led to intentional fouls from SU and offer E-Town the final two points from the line to clinch the win.
Inside the Box Score:
- Julia Pinckert netted 13 points to go along with her five rebounds. Pinckert added four assists and shot 6-15 from the field.
- Julia Roth finished the game with 11 points and 11 rebounds, giving the senior her 13th double-double of the season.
- Zoie Maffei led all River Hawks scorers, netting 14 points on 6-10 from the field. Maffei pulled down nine rebounds during the game.
- Susquehanna shot 35.4% from the field, with the Blue Jays edging out the River Hawks with 38.3% from the field.
- The big difference during the contest was three-point shooting. Elizabethtown netted 10 total three pointer, in comparison to the River Hawks four.
- Julia Pinckert has 406 career assists, good for third all-time.She's fifth all-time with 113 threes, while her 560 career rebounds are 13th-best.
- Julia Roth bumped her career scoring totals to 936 points, while standing ninth all-time with 644 career rebounds.
- Carly George totaled 643 career rebounds, good enough for 10th all-time.
Looking Ahead
- Elizabethtown advances to the Landmark Championship game Saturday at Scranton.
- Susquehanna has enjoyed a great season, capturing its first 20-win season since 1994-95 and its 21 victories standing as the most since 1991-92.
- They also earned their highest-ever placement in the Landmark Conference standings in second place. They finished with a 14-4 Landmark record, another school record, to force a three-way tie with Elizabethtown and Catholic for the second seed. SU won the tiebreak thanks to having the highest NPI of the three.
