By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
Sunday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball schedule saw six District 2 graduates in action.
Here is a recap of how each did:
BOBBY PLANUTIS, PURDUE FORT WAYNE MEN
6-foot-8 graduate student forward from Hazleton Area
Sunday’s result
Purdue Fort Wayne (4-3) defeated visiting Bluffton (0-4), 106-41.
Individual statistics
Started, played 18 minutes; 4/8 FG, 3/6 on 3-pointers, 1/1 FT, 12 points; 5 defensive rebounds.
Notes
Planutis scored six of the first nine Purdue Fort Wayne points as the Mastodons jumped out to a 58-21 lead at halftime. … Purdue Fort Wayne shot 62.0 percent (44-of-71) from the field. It is only the third time the Mastodons have recorded 44 field goals in a game in the Division I era of the program. … The win was head coach Jon Coffman’s 143rd with Purdue Fort Wayne. He is now the program leader in coaching victories.
Up next
Purdue Fort Wayne opens Horizon League play when it hosts Detroit Mercy Thursday at 7 p.m. In a preseason poll of league coaches, Purdue Fort Wayne and Northern Kentucky were voted as co-favorites.
ETHAN MEUSER, STONEHILL COLLEGE MEN
6-foot-8 freshman guard from Wyoming Seminary
Sunday’s result
Stonehill (2-6) lost at UMass Lowell (6-1), 73-59.
Individual statistics
Came off the bench, played 22 minutes; 4/9 FG, 0/2 on 3-pointers, 2/2 FT, 10 points; 4 offensive, 2 defensive, 6 total rebounds; 1 steal; 2 blocks.
Notes
Meuser scored in double figures for the first time in his college career.
Up next
Stonehill hosts Eastern Nazarene College Wednesday at 7 p.m.
DA’MIR FAISON, NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MEN
6-foot-7 junior forward from Hazleton Area
Sunday’s result
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) (1-5) lost to visiting Wagner (4-2), 62-57.
Individual statistics
Came off the bench, played 7 minutes; no shots or other statistics.
Notes
Kevin Osawe recorded his second double-double of the season, but it wasn’t enough as NJIT fell to Wagner. … NJIT shot 5-for-10 from 3-point range in the first half but was unable to connect on a three-pointer after halftime.
Up next
NJIT travels to Cincinnati Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
CECELIA COLLINS, BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot sophomore guard from Scranton Prep
Sunday’s result
Bucknell (2-5) lost to visiting Temple (2-4), 77-62.
Individual statistics
Started, played 36 minutes; 6/11 FG, 0/2 on 3-pointers, 4/5 FT, 16 points; 3 defensive rebounds; 4 assists; 3 turnovers; 1 steal.
Notes
Temple made 32 of 59 (54.2 percent) of its field goals, including 9 of 15 (60.0 percent) from 3-point range in the win. … Bucknell led by as many as six in the opening quarter after going 3-for-5 from 3-point range. The Bison shot 54.5 percent over the first 10 minutes, but Temple managed to make a pair of 3-pointers over the final 36 seconds to tie the game. … A pair of Collins buckets and a Remi Sisselman 3-pointer at the 7:32 mark of the second quarter kept the Bucknell advantage at four points, but Temple ended the half on a 15-4 run while shooting 61.5 percent in the quarter to take a 39-32 halftime lead. … “If we handle this adversity correctly, then playing all these difficult games will be a huge bonus.” head coach Trevor Woodruff said in a recap posted on Bucknell University’s athletic website.
Up next
Bucknell hosts St. Bonaventure Wednesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
KYLIE LAVELLE, DREXEL UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-2 freshman forward from Riverside
Sunday’s result
Drexel (4-1) defeated host Buffalo (1-3), 53-35.
Individual statistics
Started, played 30 minutes; 3/11 FG, 0/3 on 3-pointers, 5/6 FT, 11 points; 1 offensive, 3 defensive, 4 total rebounds; 4 turnovers; 1 steal.
Notes
Freshman Grace O’Neill posted career highs in points, rebounds, and steals in the road win. … Lavelle was one of three Drexel players to score double figures. …Drexel outscored Buffalo, 32-19, over the middle two quarters.
Up next
Drexel travels to Longwood Wednesday at 6 p.m.
BECKY BURKE, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WOMEN
Head coach from Abington Heights
Sunday’s result
Buffalo (1-3) lost to visiting Drexel (4-1), 53-35.
Notes
Buffalo got off to a quick start, opening the game on a 6-0 run. … The Bulls held the edge in the paint for the second straight game, outscoring Drexel 26-18 inside, and were even in the rebound category with 37. … Drexel capitalized on 16 University at Buffalo turnovers, converting them into 16 points.
Up next
Buffalo plays at Rhode Island Thursday at 6 p.m..
