By Bob Franceski, NEPASportsNation.com
Saturday’s National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I basketball schedule saw several District 2 playing 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 (16-6 overall, 6-2 SoCon) defeated host Furman (9-14 overall, 1-7 SoCon), 69-66
Individual statistics
Started, played 38 minutes; 10/18 FG, 0/3 on 3-pointers, 2/7 FT, 22 points; 2 offensive, 4 defensive, 6 total rebounds; 8 assists; 4 turnovers; 4 steals.
Notes
Rose was named Southern Conference Player of the Week. She is the first Terrier to earn the award this season. … Wofford was led by three players in double-digits. Rose and teammate Jackie Carman each scored 22 points, marking a second-straight outing with at least 20 points each for the pair. … This marked Rose’s sixth game of 20 or more points this season and her ninth consecutive game scoring double figures. … Rose dished out a career-high eight assists to lead the team. … ”I always say my favorite part of playing basketball is creating for others and watching teammates get really excited for when they score and just setting them up for easy baskets,” Rose said in a recap posted on the university’s athletic website. “So that’s the most exciting part of basketball for me.”
Up next
Wofford hosts UNC Greensboro Thursday.
CECELIA COLLINS, BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot sophomore guard from Scranton Prep
Saturday’s result
Bucknell (9-13 overall, 5-6 Patriot League) won at Army (8-13 overall, 6-5 Patriot League), 60-50
Individual statistics
Came off the bench, played 27 minutes; 3/12 FG, 0/2 on 3-pointers, 4/6 FT, 10 points; 1 offensive, 2 defensive, 3 total rebounds; 3 assists; 2 steals.
Notes
Collins made her return to the court for the first time since the game at Boston University Jan. 2. … Bucknell overcame a sluggish third quarter by outscoring Army, 18-7, in the fourth quarter to claim the victory. …Collins’ basket with 4:12 remaining in the game was the last field goal for the Bison. Bucknell was able to seal the win by making nine free throws down the stretch.
Up next
Bucknell will host Navy Wednesday at 6 p.m.
VICTORIA TOOMEY, RIDER UNIVERSITY WOMEN
6-foot-2 senior center from Dunmore
Saturday’s result
Rider (5-17 overall, 2-11 MAAC) lost at Fairfield (13-9 overall, 9-4 MAAC), 62-49.
Individual statistics
Started, played 20 minutes; 3/8 FG, 6 points; 3 defensive rebounds; 2 turnovers; 2 steals.
8Notes
Both teams struggled offensively in the first quarter, combining to shoot 7-for-26 from the field. The quarter ended with Fairfield clinging to an 8-6 lead. Toomey scored four of Rider’s six first-quarter points. … Tied at halftime, Fairfield used a 23-8 third quarter advantage to pull away for the win. … Fairfield won its sixth straight over Rider and leads the all-time series, 45-13.
Up next
Rider travels to Marist Thursday.
BECKY BURKE, UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WOMEN
Head coach from Abington Heights
Saturday’s result
Buffalo (9-10 overall, 4-6 MAC) lost to visiting Northern Illinois (11-10 overall, 3-7 MAC), 72-62
Notes
Buffalo was led by its “big three” as Zakiyah Winfield recorded her 12th double-double of the season with 19 points and 13 rebounds; Re’Shawna Stone also scored 19 points; and Jazmine Young contributed 10 points. … North Illinois took control with a 10-0 run early in the fourth quarter. … The Huskies outrebounded Buffalo, 51-25.
Up next
Buffalo plays at Toledo Wednesday.
BOBBY PLANUTIS, PURDUE FORT WAYNE MEN
6-foot-8 graduate student forward from Hazleton Area
Saturday’s result
Purdue Fort Wayne (15-10 overall, 7-7 Horizon League) lost at Detroit Mercy (10-15 overall, 6-8 Horizon League), 85-52
Individual statistics
Started, played 28 minutes; 4/8 FG, 3/6 on 3-pointers, 11 points; 1 defensive rebound; 2 assists.
Notes
Planutis led Purdue Fort Wayne with a team-high 11 points. … Detroit Mercy finished the first half on a 12-0 run to turn a 26-24 lead to double-digits. The Titans used a 15-0 scoring run in the second half to put the game away.
Up next
Purdue Fort Wayne hosts Youngstown State Friday.
LEO O’BOYLE, LAFAYETTE COLLEGE MEN
6-foot-7 senior forward from Scranton Prep
Saturday’s result
Lafayette (7-18 overall, 5-7 Patriot League) lost to visiting Lehigh (14-9 overall, 9-3 Patriot League), 66-64
Individual statistics
Started, played 32 minutes; 1/9 FG, 0/7 on 3-pointers, 5/5 FT, 7 points; 2 offensive, 2 defensive, 4 total rebounds; 2 assists; 1 turnover; 1 block; 2 steals.
Notes
CJ Fulton’s deep 3-point shot at the buzzer wouldn’t fall as the Leopards fell short in their second half comeback. … Lafayette trailed, 33-21, at halftime but battled back in the second half. … O’Boyle converted three free-throws to close the gap to 57-51, with 5:37 remaining. … Lafayette used a late 9-2 run to trail by one, 60-59, with 2:25 remaining. That is the closest the Leopards would get as Lehigh responded with three baskets to hold on for the win.
Up next
Lafayette travels to Holy Cross Monday. The game will air on CBS Sports Network 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) (6-16 overall, 3-6 America East) lost at UMass-Lowell (19-6 overall, 7-4 America East), 90-61
Individual statistics
Came off the bench, played 18 minutes; 3/4 FG, 6 points; 1 offensive rebound; 1 assist; 3 turnovers; 1 block.
Notes
NJIT jumped out to a 6-0 lead, but it was all UMass-Lowell after that. The Riverhawks answered with 11-straight points before a 12-0 run later in the half gave UMass Lowell a 28-13 advantage. … In the second half, UMass-Lowell used a 13-0 scoring run to put the game out of reach. … The Riverhawks defense held NJIT to 8.3 percent (1-of-12) shooting from 3-point range. … UMass-Lowell improved to 13-0 at home with the win.
Up next
NJIT travels to UMBC Wednesday.
ETHAN MEUSER, STONEHILL COLLEGE MEN
6-foot-8 freshman guard from Wyoming Seminary
Saturday’s result
Stonehill (12-14 overall, 8-3 NEC) won at St. Francis Brooklyn (12-12 overall, 5-6 NEC), 65-59
Individual statistics
Did not play.
Notes
Stonehill led 25-18 at halftime. … The Skyhawks were led by Andrew Sims and Max Zegarowski with 17 points each.
Up next
Stonehill visits Merrimack College Thursday.
