By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
Saturday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball schedule included six teams with District 2 graduates on the roster or serving as head coach.
Here is a recap of how each did:
BOBBY PLANUTIS, PURDUE FORT WAYNE MEN
6-foot-8 graduate student forward from Hazleton Area
Saturday’s result
Purdue Fort Wayne (13-8 overall, 5-5 Horizon League) lost at Northern Kentucky (13-8 overall, 8-2 Horizon League), 74-54
Individual statistics
Started, played 30 minutes; 3/7 FG, 2/6 on 3-pointers, 2/2 FT, 10 points; 2 defensive rebounds; 4 turnovers; 1 steal.
Notes
Purdue Fort Wayne trailed by only six points at halftime, but saw Northern Kentucky start the second half on a 13-3 run to take control of the game. … The Mastodons shot 45.2 percent from the field but were hurt by 18 turnovers. … Planutis was one of three Purdue Fort Wayne players to lead the scoring with 10 points each.
Up next
Purdue Fort Wayne hosts IUPUI Wednesday.
LEO O’BOYLE, LAFAYETTE COLLEGE MEN
6-foot-7 senior forward from Scranton Prep
Saturday’s result
Lafayette (6-15 overall, 4-4 Patriot League) lost at Lehigh (11-8 overall, 6-2 Patriot League), 61-49.
Individual statistics
Started, played 35 minutes; 3/10 FG, 2/8 on 3-pointers, 1/2 FT, 9 points; 3 defensive rebounds; 2 steals.
Notes
Lehigh extended its win streak to six games with the win in The Rivalry.
Up next
Lafayette hosts Loyola, Md. Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
RACHAEL ROSE, WOFFORD COLLEGE WOMEN
5-foot-7 sophomore guard from Scranton Prep
Saturday’s result
Wofford (13-6 overall, 3-2 SoCon) lost to visiting East Tennessee State (15-6 overall, 2-3 SoCon), 75-58
Individual statistics
Started, played 36 minutes; 5/14 FG, 1/5 on 3-pointers, 11 points; 5 offensive, 2 defensive, 7 total rebounds; 5 assists; 4 turnovers; 3 steals.
Notes
Wofford could not overcome a big third quarter by East Tennessee State. The Buccaneers outscored the Terriers, 26-8. … The loss ends Wofford’s 10-game home winning streak. … Wofford made 10 three-pointers in the contest but could not get the same success from inside the arc, shooting 31.3 percent (21-for-67).
Up next
Wofford travels to Mercer University Thursday.
VICTORIA TOOMEY, RIDER UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-2 senior center from Dunmore
Saturday’s result
Rider (5-14 overall, 2-8 MAAC) lost to visiting Fairfield (10-8 overall, 6-3 MAAC), 64-61 in double 8overtime.
Individual statistics
Started, played 28 minutes; 4/8 FG, 1/2 FT, 9 points; 3 defensive rebounds; 1 assist; 2 turnovers; 3 blocks; 1 steal.
Notes
Rider fought back from being down by as many as 13 points but ultimately fell in double overtime to the defending MAAC champions. … Rider scored the first six points of overtime, extending an overall 11-0 run. Toomey converted 1-of-2 free-throws with 1:15 remaining in the first overtime to give Rider a 54-49 lead. Fairfield’s Izabela Nicoletti-Leite made a 3-pointer with 15 seconds remaining to force a second overtime. … This was Rider’s second overtime game of the season. The Broncos defeated St. Francis Brooklyn on November 13th.
Up next
Rider travels to Siena Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
BECKY BURKE, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WOMEN
Head coach from Abington Heights
Saturday’s result
Buffalo (8-7 overall, 3-3 MAC) lost at Western Michigan (9-8 overall, 4-2 MAC), 68-56
Notes
Three University at Buffalo players scored in double figures, led by by Jazmine Young’s 17 points. … The Bulls battled back from a 17-8 first-quarter deficit and trailed, 50-49, entering the fourth quarter. Western Michigan opened the fourth quarter on an 11-3 run, and the Broncos defense held Buffalo without a field goal for five-plus minutes, to lead 61-52. The Bulls would get no closer for the remainder of the game.
Up next
Buffalo hosts Bowling Green Wednesday at 6 p.m.
CECELIA COLLINS, BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot sophomore guard from Scranton Prep
Saturday’s result
Bucknell (6-13 overall, 2-6 Patriot League) lost at Holy Cross (16-3 overall, 8-0 Patriot League), 69-50
Individual statistics
Did not play
Notes
The game was tight throughout the first half with Holy Cross clinging to a 32-31 halftime lead. … The Bison were held to 19 second half points, six in the third quarter, while the Crusaders scored 37 points to put the game away.
Up next
Bucknell visits Navy Wednesday at 7 p.m.
