By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
Tuesday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball schedule saw three District 2 graduates playing or serving as head coach.
Here is a recap of how each did:
CECELIA COLLINS, BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot sophomore guard from Scranton Prep
Tuesday’s result
Bucknell (4-7) lost at Buffalo (4-4), 58-51
Individual statistics
Started, played 29 minutes; 6/9 FG, 1/2 on 3-pointers, 13 points; 3 defensive rebounds; 4 assists; 1 steal; 2 turnovers.
Notes
Bucknell concluded its non-conference schedule with a tough loss at Buffalo. … Collins led the Bison in scoring. … Trailing 40-34 entering the fourth quarter, Bucknell countered quickly. Five points by Collins and three points by Isabella King tied the score at 42-42. A layup by Emma Shaffer put the Bison ahead, 44-42. That was the final Bucknell lead of the night as Buffalo went on a 16-0 scoring run over a five-minute period to secure the victory.
Up next
Bucknell hosts Holy Cross Dec. 30 at 2 p.m. in its Patriot League opener.
BECKY BURKE, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WOMEN
Head coach from Abington Heights
Tuesday’s result
Buffalo (4-4) defeated visiting Bucknell (4-7), 58-51
Notes
Buffalo extended its winning streak to three games. … For the second straight game, the Bulls turned defense into offense as they scored 18 fastbreak points while adding 10 steals and 21 points off 21 Bucknell turnovers. … “Our defensive effort tonight was flat-out elite.” said head coach Becky Burke in a recap posted on the university’s athletic website. “Bucknell is a very good team with an extremely hard system to guard. We rose to the challenge and took them out of everything they wanted to do offensively.” … This is the second game of the season that Burke has coached against a District 2 alumni. Buffalo lost to Drexel, 53-35, on Nov. 27. Riverside graduate Kylie Lavelle plays for Drexel.
Up next
Buffalo travels to St. Bonaventure Dec. 28 at 4 p.m.
BOBBY PLANUTIS, PURDUE FORT WAYNE MEN
6-foot-8 graduate student forward from Hazleton Area
Tuesday’s result
Purdue Fort Wayne (9-4 overall) defeated Southern Indiana (7-6), 83-59
Individual statistics
Started, played 25 minutes; 2/7 FG, 2/6 on 3-pointers, 2/2 FT, 8 points; 4 defensive rebounds; 1 assist; 2 turnovers; 1 block; 2 steals.
Notes
Purdue Fort Wayne built a 44-25 halftime lead and finished the Indiana Classic 2-0. … The Mastodons increased their winning streak to five games.
Up next
Purdue Fort Wayne travels to Robert Morris Dec. 29.
