Lewisburg, PA- The Saint Peter's College women's basketball team dropped their first contest of the 2011-2012 season, by a score of 46-35 to the Bucknell Bison. Bucknell had two players in double figures, as Felicia Mgbada finished with a team high 11 points, and teammate Amy Zehner added a double-double of 10 points 10 rebounds. Junior Kristal Edwards led the way for the Peahens with 11 points, 3 steals and 3 blocks, while Aminah Davis added 7 points and 3 steals.
Junior Lauren Morris started the scoring in the first half, making a layup after grabbing the offensive rebound off Quiana Porter's missed shot. The Peahens maintained a lead at 4-2 following Aziza May's 15 foot jump shot, until the Bison's responded with a 7-0 run, fueled by 4 points from Bucknell junior Lindsay Horbatuck in the stretch.
Kristal Edwards regained the lead for SPC with a layup at the 13:57 minute mark, but the Bison rapidly regained control of the game, outscoring the Peahens by a 14-4 margin. Saint Peter's offense would find itself at a stand still during the run, as Edward's two pointer accounted for one of the team's three field goals made over the course of the next 10 minutes.
Bucknell commanded the post in the first half, scoring 18 of their 25 points in the paint. Turnovers would prove to be costly to the Peahens, finishing with 10 in the frame.
The Peahens came out of the intermission determined, scoring back to back baskets in the first minute of the half from Edwards and May, to bring them within four at 25-21. Saint Peter's managed to keep the game close over the ensuing minutes, until Bucknell achieved its largest lead (35-26) up to that point in the 10th minute off a layup by Horbatuck.
Saint Peter's remained relentless, and their persistence paid off in the 8th minute when Aminah Davis came up with a critical steal and connected on a fast break basket to make the score 35-28. A little over a minute later, Edwards came up with another steal and handed it off to May who layed it in and brought the Peahens within 5.
That would be the final offensive spurt for SPC, who shot just 2-10 in the final seven minutes of the contest.
With 1:22 left, Bucknell's Christina Chukweudo made a drive in the paint and put up a floater, giving the home time a comfortable 41-35 lead. In the last minute of play, Saint Peter's committed 3 turnovers, while the Bison sent five players (Shelby Romine, twice) to the line.
In the second half, both teams connected on 7 field goals, however the Bison made 5 of their 8 free throws, while the Peahens made just 3 of 7.
Saint Peter's returns to action next Saturday, as they face Lehigh in Bethlehem, PA. Tipoff is scheduled for 7pm.
