By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
A recap of the week of February 20 – February 26 for District 2 graduates in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division II basketball:
CIAIRA LOYD, ALLYCIA HARRIS
CALIFORNIA (PA.) UNIVERSITY WOMEN
Loyd is a 5-foot-7 senior guard from Scranton
Harris is a 5-foot-9 sophomore guard/forward from Wilkes-Barre Area and Meyers
Team result
Week 2-0; Season – 18-10 overall, 14-8 PSAC
Wednesday – vs. Pitt-Johnstown, Won 79-70
Saturday – vs. Indiana University (Pa.), Won 88-84 in overtime.
Loyd’s Individual statistics
vs. Pitt-Johnstown – Started, played 40 minutes; 3/11 FG, 0/2 on 3-pointers, 2/2 FT, 8 points; 4 defensive rebounds; 6 assists; 6 turnovers; 1 block; 1 steal.
vs. Indiana University (Pa.) – Started, played 45 minutes; 12/25 FG, 0/4 on 3-pointers, 12/14 FT, 36 points; 1 offensive, 2 defensive, 3 total rebounds; 6 assists; 5 turnovers; 1 steal.
Harris’ individual statistics
vs. Pitt-Johnstown – Started, played 29 minutes; 6/10 FG, 2/3 FT, 14 points; 5 offensive, 3 defensive, 8 total rebounds; 1 assist; 2 steals.
vs. Indiana University (Pa.) – Started, played 32 minutes; 7/12 FG, 1/2 FT, 15 points; 7 offensive, 6 defensive, 13 total rebounds; 1 assist; 1 turnover; 2 blocks; 2 steals.
Notes
Loyd scored a career-high 36 points against Indiana University (PA) on Senior Day. Loyd became the first California (Pa.) University player to eclipse 30 points in a game this season after scoring a combined 31 points in the second half and overtime. Loyd scored the most points in a game since Seairra Barrett scored 41 points in 2018. … Harris registered her sixth double-double of the season despite fouling out with 1:30 remaining in regulation. … Loyd was one of four seniors recognized prior to the game. … The Vulcans enter the PSAC Tournament as the No. 2 seed from the West Division and receive a first round bye.
The week ahead
California (PA) University (No. 2 seed West) will host the winner of Edinboro University (No. 3 seed West)/Seton Hill University (No. 6 seed West) Wednesday in a PSAC quarterfinal. The semifinals and championship are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
COLETTE MULDERIG
FRANKLIN PIERCE UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-4 junior forward/center from Scranton
Team results
Week – 1-2; Season – 9-20 overall, 4-16 NE10.
Tuesday – vs. Pace, Lost 73-54
Friday – at New Haven (NE10 Championship – First Round), Won 57-49
Sunday – at Bentley (NE10 Championship – Quarterfinal), Lost 70-54
Individual statistics
vs. Pace – Came off the bench, played 28 minutes; 4/9 FG, 8 points; 1 offensive, 4 defensive, 5 total rebounds; 1 assist; 1 steal; 4 blocks; 2 turnovers.
at New Haven – Started, played 23 minutes; 1/4 FG, 0/1 on 3-pointers, 2 points; 2 defensive rebounds; 1 steal; 1 block; 1 turnover.
at Bentley – Started, played 27 minutes; 8/15 FG, 5/5 FT, 21 points; 3 offensive, 9 defensive, 12 total rebounds; 1 assist; 1 steal; 2 blocks; 1 turnover.
Notes
Franklin Pierce stumbled in the regular-season finale against Pace. The Ravens were outscored, 22-6, in the second quarter, connecting on just 27 percent (3-for-11) of their shots. … Franklin Pierce entered the NE10 Conference Tournament as the 12th-seeded team. … In the first round of the NE10 Tournament, Franklin Pierce stunned No. 5 seed University of New Haven. The Chargers had swept the regular-season contests against the Ravens. … Trailing by nine at halftime, Franklin Pierce took control in the second half, scoring 37 points over the final 20 minutes of play. … In the NE10 Quarterfinal loss at No. 4 seed Bentley, Mulderig scored a career-high 21 points and recorded her first career double-double.
The week ahead
Season complete.
SAM YENCHA
THOMAS JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY WOMEN
5-foot-11 sophomore guard/forward from Holy Redeemer
Team results
Week – 2-0; Season – 25-3 overall, 16-1 CACC
Wednesday — vs. Goldey-Beacom, Won 70-52
Saturday – vs. Holy Family, Won 65-59
Individual statistics
vs. Goldey-Beacom – Started, played 33 minutes; 3/5 FG, 6 points; 6 offensive, 6 defensive, 12 total rebounds; 3 assists; 1 turnover; 1 steal.
vs. Holy Family – Started, played 40 minutes; 4/10 FG, 8 points; 2 offensive, 2 defensive, 4 total rebounds; 3 assists.
Notes
Jefferson erased a 10-point halftime deficit against Goldey-Beacom, outscoring the Lightning, 49-21, in the second half to pull away for the victory. With the win, Jefferson locked up the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference regular-season title and the number-one overall seed for next week’s CACC Tournament. … With the win over Holy Family, the 25 victories in the regular season are the second-most in program history, just one behind the mark set by the 2018-19 squad.
The week ahead
Jefferson (No. 1 seed South Division) hosts Caldwell (No. 4 seed North Division), Tuesday in a CACC quarterfinal matchup. The semifinals and championship game will be held at Thomas Jefferson University on Saturday and Sunday.
KATIE STARR, CHASE PURDY
BLOOMSBURG UNIVERSITY WOMEN
Starr is a 5-foot-11 sophomore forward from Berwick
Purdy is a 5-foot-10 freshman forward from Lake-Lehman
Team results
Week – 0-2; Season – 9-17 overall, 7-15 PSAC
Wednesday – vs. Kutztown University, Lost 53-47
Saturday – vs. West Chester University, Lost 60-48
Starr’s statistics
vs. Kutztown University – Started, played 35 minutes; 5/9 FG, 1/2 FT, 11 points; 1 offensive, 7 defensive, 8 total rebounds; 1 assist; 3 turnovers.
vs. West Chester University – Started, played 27 minutes; 3/7 FG, 4/4 FT, 10 points; 1 offensive, 4 defensive, 5 total rebounds; 1 turnover; 2 blocks.
Notes
The game against Kutztown was tightly contested. Bloomsburg cut the lead to two points, 49-47, with 1:24 remaining thanks to a layup from Starr. Kutztown connected on four straight free throws down the stretch to seal the win. … With the loss, the Huskies were eliminated from the playoffs. … On Saturday, the Huskies fell behind early and West Chester used some stifling defense to pull out the road victory. … Starr finishes the season as the Huskies leading scorer at 10.4 points per game and leading rebounder at 7 rebounds per game. … Purdy has not played due to injury.
The week ahead
Season complete.
ERIN GIBBONS
SHIPPENSBURG UNIVERSITY WOMEN
5-foot-8 graduate student guard from Wyoming Valley West
Team results
Week – 2-0; Season – 23-5 overall, 18-4 PSAC
Wednesday – at Shepherd University, Won 76-54
Saturday – vs. Lock Haven University, Won 67-46
Individual statistics
at Shepherd University – Started, played 33 minutes; 2/5 FG, 0/2 on 3-pointers, 1/1 FT, 5 points; 1 offensive, 4 defensive, 5 total rebounds; 3 turnovers; 2 steals.
vs. Lock Haven University – Started, played 37 minutes; 2/4 FG, 2/4 on 3-pointers, 2/2 FT, 8 points; 1 offensive, 1 defensive, 2 total rebounds; 1 assist; 1 turnover; 1 block; 1 steal.
Notes
Shippensburg built a 10-point halftime lead against Shepherd University and closed strong in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Rams, 23-7. The Raiders victory marked Head Coach Kristy Trn’s 400th career win. She becomes the 26th active coach in NCAA Division II with 400 wins and is now the second in the PSAC to achieve the feat. … Gibbons was one of four seniors recognized on Senior Day prior to the game against Lock Haven University. … Shippensburg clinched a share of the PSAC Eastern Division title with the win over Lock Haven University. The Raiders are the No. 2 seed from the East Division and receive a first-round bye in this week’s PSAC Tournament.
The week ahead
Shippensburg University (No. 2 seed East) hosts the winner of Kutztown University (No. 3 seed East)/Lock Haven University (No. 6 seed East) Wednesday in a PSAC quarterfinal. The semifinals and championship are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
CLAIRE DOUGHERTY
HOLY FAMILY UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-1 freshman forward/center from Lake Lehman
Team results
Week – 1-1; Season – 19-9 overall, 14-4 CACC
Wednesday – vs. Wilmington University (DE), Won 65-40
Saturday – at Jefferson, Lost 65-59
Individual statistics
vs. Wilmington University (DE) – Came off the bench, played 15 minutes; 1/6 FG, 0/1 on 3-pointers, 2 points; 2 offensive, 3 defensive, 5 total rebounds; 2 assists; 1 turnover.
at Jefferson – Did not play.
Notes
Holy Family held multiple double-digit leads and led nationally ranked Thomas Jefferson University at halftime before the Rams stormed back in the second half.
The week ahead
Holy Family (No. 2 seed South Division) hosts Felician (No. 3 seed North Division), Tuesday in a CACC quarterfinal matchup. The semifinals and championship Final will be held at Thomas Jefferson University on Saturday and Sunday.
JEFF PLANUTIS
MERCYHURST UNIVERSITY MEN
6-foot-6 redshirt junior guard from Hazleton Area
Team result
Week – 2-0; Season – 22-4 overall, 18-4 PSAC
Wednesday – at Seton Hill University (PA), Won 84-62
Saturday – at Gannon University, Won 105-70
Individual statistics
at Seton Hill University (PA) – Started, played 36 minutes; 6/9 FG, 2/5 on 3-pointers, 6/6 FT, 20 points; 3 offensive, 6 defensive, 9 total rebounds; 2 assists; 2 turnovers; 1 block; 1 steal.
at Gannon University – Started, played 32 minutes; 6/14 FG, 4/7 on 3-pointers, 1/1 FT, 17 points; 2 offensive, 6 defensive, 8 total rebounds; 2 assists.
Notes
Planutis and teammate Michael Bradley each scored 20 points against Seton Hill University, combining to shoot 54.1 percent (13-for-24) from the field. With the win, the Lakers secure a bye in the opening round of the PSAC Tournament. … Mercyhurst erupted for 62 points in the second half in the regular-season finale against Gannon University. … Planutis continues to lead the Lakers in scoring at 15.4 points per game. He has connected on 48.2 percent of his shots from the field (144-for-299). He is also shooting 91.4 percent from the free throw line (64-for-70). … Mercyhurst is the No. 2 seed in the West and receives a bye in the first round of the PSAC Tournament.
The week ahead
Mercyhurst University (No. 2 seed West) will host the winner of University Pitt-Johnstown (No. 3 seed West)/Slippery Rock University (No. 6 seed West) Wednesday in a PSAC Tournament quarterfinal. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. The semifinals and championship are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
JUSTICE SHOATS, GABE SPRINGER
LOCK HAVEN UNIVERSITY MEN
Shoats is a 5-foot-11 freshman guard from Holy Redeemer
Springer is a 6-foot-8 sophomore forward from Wallenpaupack
Team results
Week – 0-2; Season – 16-11 overall, 12-10 PSAC
Wednesday – vs. East Stroudsburg University, Lost 77-64
Saturday – at Shippensburg University, Lost 74-65
Shoats individual statistics
vs. East Stroudsburg University– Came off the bench, played 26 minutes; 6/12 FG, 1/2 on 3-pointers, 3/4 FT, 16 points; 1 offensive, 2 defensive, 3 total rebounds; 1 assist; 3 turnovers; 1 steal.
at Shippensburg University – Came off the bench, played 19 minutes; 2/8 FG, 0/1 on 3-pointers, 4 points; 1 defensive rebound; 1 assist; 1 turnover.
Springer individual statistics
vs. East Stroudsburg University – Came off the bench, played 5 minutes; No shots; 2 defensive rebounds.
at Shippensburg University – Came off the bench, played 4 minutes; 1/1 FG, 1/2 FT, 3 points; no other statistics.
Notes
Shoats was one of two Lock Haven players to reach double figures against East Stroudsburg University. … The Bald Eagles mounted a late comeback but fell just short against the Warriors. … Lock Haven is the No. 5 seed from the East in the upcoming PSAC Tournament.
The week ahead
Lock Haven University (No. 5 seed East) travels to Millersville (No. 4 seed East) Monday in a PSAC first-round game. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday. The semifinals and championship are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
JASON SHIELDS
JEFFERSON UNIVERSITY MEN
6-foot-5 freshman guard from Scranton
Team results
Week – 2-0; Season 16-11; 12-5 CACC
Wednesday – vs. Goldey-Beacom, Won 82-73
Saturday – vs. Holy Family, Won 102-65
Individual statistics
vs. Goldey-Beacom – Came off the bench, played 8 minutes; 1/4 FG, 0/3 on 3-pointers, 2 points; 2 defensive rebounds.
vs. Holy Family – Came off the bench, played 12 minutes; 2/6 FG, 1/3 on 3-pointers, 5 points; 1 offensive, 1 defensive, 2 total rebounds; 4 assists; 1 turnover.
Notes
In the win over Goldey-Beacom, Jefferson’s Erik Timko scored over 20 points for the fourth straight game and the 17th time this season. He also tied a career-high with seven assists. … The win secured the South Division’s top seed for the upcoming Central Athletic Collegiate Conference Tournament.
The week ahead
Jefferson (No. 1 seed South Division) hosts Post (No. 4 seed North Division), Tuesday in a CACC quarterfinal matchup. The Semifinals and Championship Final will be held at Thomas Jefferson University on Saturday and Sunday.
JACK FARRELL
EAST STROUDSBURG UNIVERSITY MEN
6-foot-6 junior forward from Dallas
Team results
Week – 1-0; Season – 21-7 overall, 15-7 PSAC
Wednesday – at Lock Haven University, Won 77-64
Individual statistics
at Lock Haven University – Did not play.
Notes
In a wild regular-season finale, East Stroudsburg held off Lock Haven for the win. The game featured an 18-3 scoring run by the Warriors, only to be counters by a 21-4 run by Lock Haven. … With the win over Lock Haven, ESU secured a PSAC Tournament First Round game.
The week ahead
East Stroudsburg University (No. 3 seed East) hosts Shepherd University (No. 6 seed East) Monday in a PSAC Tournament first-round game. The quarterfinals are scheduled for Wednesday. The semifinals and championship are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.
