By Bob Franceski and Tom Robinson, NEPASportsNation.com
Thursday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball schedule saw five games with District 2 graduates 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
Thursday’s result
Wofford (19-8 overall, 9-4 SoCon) defeated visiting Samford (13-15 overall, 7-6 SoCon), 86-60
Individual statistics
Started, played 36 minutes; 7/12 FG, 1/4 on 3-pointers, 8/8 FT, 23 points; 2 defensive rebounds; 8 assists; 4 turnovers; 3 steals.
Notes
Rose and teammate Jackie Carman each scored 23 points to lead 4 Terriers in double figures. … Rose scored 16 of her 23 points in the first half. … The game was tied at halftime, 36-36, but Wofford came out strong in the second half, outscoring Samford, 50-24, to complete the season sweep of the Bulldogs.
Up next
Wofford hosts Mercer University Saturday at 2 p.m.
VICTORIA TOOMEY, RIDER UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-2 senior center from Dunmore
Thursday’s result
Rider (8-19 overall, 5-13 MAAC) defeated visiting Mount St. Mary’s (10-16 overall, 6-11 MAAC), 68-59 in overtime.
Individual statistics
Started, played 40 minutes; 6/11 FG, 4/6 FT, 16 points; 1 offensive, 5 defensive, 6 total rebounds; 5 assists; 1 turnover; 4 blocks.
Notes
Rider survived a near buzzer-beater before bouncing back in overtime to defeat Mount St. Mary’s. … Trailing, 45-44, Rider went on a 9-3 run midway through the fourth quarter to build a 53-48 lead. The Mount responded with a 5-0 run to tie the game on a layup with 21.6 seconds remaining. The Mountaineers believed they had won with a layup as time expired, but after review it was determined the shot was after time expired. … Down 55-53 in the extra session, Rider scored seven straight points, including a layup and a later free throw from Toomey. … Toomey also blocked two shots and had a timely assist during the overtime. … ”We’ve been in this position before in the season where we’ve gone to overtime and lost momentum.” Toomey said in a recap posted on the university’s athletic website. “Today the mindset was putting our foot on the gas and never letting up.”
Up next
Rider travels to Manhattan Thursday.
BECKY BURKE, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WOMEN
Head coach from Abington Heights
Thursday’s result
Buffalo (9-15 overall, 4-11 MAC) lost at Eastern Michigan (14-12 overall, 6-9 MAC), 61-57
Notes
The University at Buffalo outscored Eastern Michigan, 18-11, in the fourth quarter but the late rally wasn’t enough as the Bulls dropped their sixth straight game. … Buffalo’s Hattie Ogden drainer her fourth 3-pointer of the final quarter to pull the Bulls within three points with 1:42 remaining. The Bulls defense came up with a big stop and called a timeout with 20.4 seconds remaining, but they turned the ball over on the ensuing possession and the Eagles made a free throw in the final seconds to secure the win.
Up next
Buffalo plays at Bowling Green Saturday.
BOBBY PLANUTIS, PURDUE FORT WAYNE MEN
6-foot-8 graduate student forward from Hazleton Area
Thursday’s result
Purdue Fort Wayne (16-14 overall, 8-11 Horizon League) lost at Milwaukee (19-10 overall, 13-6 Horizon League), 98-94
Individual statistics
Started, played 28 minutes; 4/5 FG, 4/5 on 3-pointers, 1/1 FT, 13 points; 3 defensive rebound; 1 assist.
Notes
Planutis is 41-for-43 (95.3 percent) from the foul line this season and 114-for-123 (92.7 percent) in three seasons with the Mastodons. … Planutis hit at least three 3-pointers in a game for the 15th time this season. … Purdue Fort Wayne can earn a first-round home game in the Horizon League Tournament with Sunday against Green Bay (3-27).
Up next
Purdue Fort Wayne travels to Green Bay Saturday.
ETHAN MEUSER, STONEHILL COLLEGE MEN
6-foot-8 freshman guard from Wyoming Seminary
Thursday’s result
Stonehill (14-17 overall, 10-6 NEC) lost at Wagner (14-12 overall, 7-8 NEC), 65-59
Individual statistics
Did not play.
Notes
Wagner’s defense held Stonehill to 19 first half points and led 28-19 at the break. … Stonehill has a bye as the NEC schedule concludes this weekend. The Skyhawks await their seed for the upcoming NEC Tournament.
Up next
Stonehill will play in the Northeast Conference tournament on a date and time to be determined.
