By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
Thursday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball schedule saw five District 2 graduates playing or serving as head coach.
Here is a recap of how each did:
BECKY BURKE, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WOMEN
Head coach from Abington Heights
Thursday’s result
Buffalo (5-4) defeated host St. Bonaventure (3-12), 58-49
Notes
Three Bulls scored in double-figures, led by Zakiyah Winfield who recorded her fourth straight double-double with 21 points and 16 rebounds as Buffalo extended its win streak to four games. … “I am just incredibly proud of how much toughness this team continues to show on a nightly basis,” Burke said in a recap posted on the university’s athletic website. “We are really starting to form an identity and I’m really excited to see us keep improving. We are trending in the right direction and ready for MAC play.” … The game was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but the aftermath of a winter storm caused travel-related challenges for athletes to return to campus.
Up next
Buffalo travels to Kent State Wednesday in its Mid-American Conference opener.
VICTORIA TOOMEY, RIDER UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-2 senior center from Dunmore
Thursday’s result
Rider (3-9 overall, 0-3 MAAC) lost to visiting Siena (7-5 overall, 1-1 MAAC), 68-44
Individual statistics
Started, played 35 minutes; 4/8 FG, 0/0 FT, 8 points; 4 offensive, 2 defensive, 6 total rebounds; 2 assists; 4 turnovers; 2 blocks.
Notes
Siena outscored Rider, 38-19, in the second half to pull away for the victory. … Rider was limited to 23.1 percent shooting (15 of 65) from the field and 9.1 percent (2-for-22) from 3-point range, both season lows. … Nine Broncs attempted shots, but Toomey was the only one to make half.
Up next
Rider travels to Saint Peter’s Saturday at noon.
KYLIE LAVELLE, DREXEL UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-2 freshman forward from Riverside
Thursday’s result
Drexel (9-3 overall, 1-0 CAA) defeated host UNC-Wilmington (3-9 overall, 0-1 CAA), 71-47
Individual statistics
Did not play
Notes
Lavelle remains sidelined with an undisclosed lower-body injury. … Drexel opened its Colonial Athletic Association schedule with a resounding win. … The Dragons Kishana Washington led all scorers with 21 points. It is her 10th game this season with 20 or more points and the 46th in a row she has reached double figures.
Up next
Drexel hosts Towson Sunday at 2:00 p.m.
BOBBY PLANUTIS, PURDUE FORT WAYNE MEN
6-foot-8 graduate student forward from Hazleton Area
Thursday’s result
Purdue Fort Wayne (9-5 overall, 1-2 Horizon League) lost at Robert Morris (7-7 overall, 2-1 Horizon League), 75-70
Individual statistics
Started, played 35 minutes; 6/12 FG, 3/9 on 3-pointers, 0/0 FT, 15 points; 1 offensive, 8 defensive, 9 total rebounds; 1 steal.
Notes
Planutis was one of four Mastodons to score in double figures. … Robert Morris extended its three-point halftime lead to nine, 58-49, with 11:23 left. Purdue Fort Wayne responded with a 10-2 run to make it a one possession game and then tied the game, 63-63, with 4:50 left on a free-throw by Anthony Roberts. … The Mastodons did not take the lead in the second half and had just one field goal in the final six minutes, missing nine straight attempts at one point.
Up next
Purdue Fort Wayne visits Youngstown State Saturday.
ETHAN MEUSER, STONEHILL COLLEGE MEN
6-foot-8 freshman guard from Wyoming Seminary
Thursday’s result
Stonehill (5-10 overall, 1-0 NEC) defeated host Sacred Heart University (6-9 overall, 0-1 NEC), 74-67
Individual statistics
Did not play
Notes
Stonehill’s Andrew Sims recorded a double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Skyhawks to victory in their inaugural Northeast Conference (NEC) game.
Up next
Stonehill travels to Saint Francis (Pa.) Saturday at 4 p.m.
