By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
Saturday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball schedule included seven games involving teams with District 2 graduates either on the roster or serving as head coach.
Here is a recap of how each did:
RACHAEL ROSE, WOFFORD COLLEGE WOMEN
5-foot-7 sophomore guard from Scranton Prep
Saturday’s result
Wofford (18-8 overall, 8-4 SoCon) defeated host University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (16-11 overall, 8-4 SoCon), 72-53
Individual statistics
Started, played 39 minutes; 12/20 FG, 4/7 on 3-pointers, 4/4 FT, 32 points; 2 offensive, 5 defensive, 7 total rebounds; 2 assists; 2 turnovers; 2 steals.
Notes
Rose scored 21 of Wofford’s 37 first-half points on her way to a career-high 32 points. …Rose is the first Terrier to score over 30 points in a game since Chloe Wank netted 39 in 2019. She has now recorded double-digit scoring in 13 straight games. … “I think this game was a big bounce back for us and a big step forward for our program.” Rose said in a recap posted on the university’s athletic website. “After our loss on Thursday, we just really wanted to come out and prove ourselves defensively, and I think we followed the game plan really well, specifically in the second quarter.” … Wofford’s 18th win of the season tops last year’s mark of 17 and set a new program record for wins in a season in its Division I era. It was also the Terriers ninth road win of the season, which is a program record.
Up next
Wofford hosts Samford Thursday.
CECELIA COLLINS, BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot sophomore guard from Scranton Prep
Saturday’s result
Bucknell (12-14 overall, 8-7 Patriot League) lost to visiting Boston University (20-6 overall, 15-0 Patriot League), 66-57
Individual statistics
Started, played 35 minutes; 7/13 FG, 1/1 on 3-pointers, 5/5 FT, 20 points; 4 defensive rebounds; 4 assists; 2 turnovers.
Notes
Bucknell was within two points entering the fourth quarter but was outscored, 18-11, by the Terriers. … Collins kept Bucknell close, scoring 12 of the team’s 14 second-quarter points. … Boston stretched its lead to 11 points in the fourth quarter. Trailing 61-50, the Bison made one final push. A basket by Collins, cut the deficit to 61-55, but the Bison were held to two free throws down the stretch.
Up next
Bucknell will host Lehigh Wednesday at 6 p.m.
VICTORIA TOOMEY, RIDER UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-2 senior center from Dunmore
Saturday’s result
Rider (7-19 overall, 4-13 MAAC) lost to visiting Quinnipiac (19-7 overall, 14-3 MAAC), 59-54
Individual statistics
Started, played 38 minutes; 6/11 FG, 2/4 FT, 14 points; 1 offensive, 6 defensive, 7 total rebounds; 1 assist; 6 turnovers; 1 block.
Notes
Rider led by as many as 10 points with 1:30 remaining in the third quarter, but was outscored, 18-7 in the fourth quarter. … Quinnipiac overcame a nine-point fourth-quarter deficit, to extend its winning streak to 10 games. … Rider started strong inside as Toomey and Raphaela Toussaint combined for 11 of Rider’s 13 first-quarter points. …Toomey scored 12 of her 14 points in the first half. … “There were a few plays down the stretch where we made it easier for them to execute.” Toomey said in a recap posted on the university’s athletic website. “We definitely shot ourselves in the foot on a few plays. That’s on us. We have to be better.”
Up next
Rider hosts Mount St. Mary’s on Kid’s Day Out Thursday. Tipoff is scheduled for 11 a.m. on ESPNU.
BECKY BURKE, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WOMEN
Head coach from Abington Heights
Saturday’s result
Buffalo (9-14 overall, 4-10 MAC) lost to visiting Miami (Ohio) (10-17 overall, 5-9 MAC), 72-67
Notes
The University at Buffalo dropped another close contest against Miami (Ohio). The Bulls have lost five consecutive games and it was the third straight loss by five points or less. … The loss spoiled another fantastic effort by Re’Shawna Stone. The Bulls’ point guard finished with 23 points to lead all scorers. Jazmine Young and Zakiyah Winfield also scored double figures for the Bulls.
Up next
Buffalo travels to Eastern Michigan Wednesday.
LEO O’BOYLE, LAFAYETTE COLLEGE MEN
6-foot-7 senior forward from Scranton Prep
Saturday’s result
Lafayette (9-20 overall, 7-9 Patriot League) lost at Army West Point (15-14 overall, 9-7 Patriot League), 53-43
Individual statistics
Started, played 22 minutes; 3/6 FG, 3/5 on 3-pointers, 9 points; 1 offensive, 2 defensive, 3 total rebounds; 1 assist; 1 steal.
Notes
Army used a 17-0 run that spanned more than five minutes in the first half and led Lafayette, 27-15, at the break. Army’s defense held Lafayette to 25.4 percent shooting (16-for-63) from the field and 20 percent (6-of-30) from 3-point range. … Lafayette’s Josh Rivera recorded his second career double-double in the loss.
Up next
Lafayette hosts Colgate Wednesday at 7 p.m.
DA’MIR FAISON, NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MEN
6-foot-7 junior forward from Hazleton Area
Saturday’s result
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) (7-19 overall, 4-9 America East) lost to visiting Vermont (17-10 overall, 11-2 America East), 82-80 in overtime.
Individual statistics
Did not play.
Notes
Vermont’s Robin Duncan converted a layup with seven seconds remaining in the overtime period to give the visiting Catamounts a hard-fought victory.
Up next
NJIT hosts Bryant Wednesday.
ETHAN MEUSER, STONEHILL COLLEGE MEN
6-foot-8 freshman guard from Wyoming Seminary
Saturday’s result
Stonehill (14-16 overall, 10-5 NEC) lost to visiting Central Connecticut State (10-19 overall, 7-7 NEC), 94-90 in triple overtime.
Individual statistics
Did not play.
Notes
Central Connecticut State captured a fourth-straight win with the triple overtime victory. … Stonehill drops a half-game behind Merrimack College atop the NEC standings. The Skyhawks have just one game remaining, while Merrimack and Farleigh Dickinson both have two to play in the race to the regular-season title. Stonehill will need a win in its final NEC game Thursday and a loss by Merrimack in one of its last two to clinch at least a share of the regular-season title.
Up next
Stonehill closes its regular season schedule at Wagner College Thursday.
