Box Score (HTML)
PHILADELPHIA – A 35-17 run over the final 14 minutes of play broke open a tight game and allowed the Bloomsburg University women's basketball team to run away with an 81-63 victory at Philadelphia University's Gallagher Center on Thursday evening.
The win moves the Huskies to 18-2 overall and gives Bloomsburg its 11th straight victory overall as well as its 20th consecutive road triumph. Philadelphia, a member of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference, falls to 15-4 and had a 20-game home winning streak snapped. The Rams entered Thursday as winners of four in a row and owned a 10-0 record this season at their Gallagher Center.
Thursday's contest opened as a back-and-forth affair as the teams shared 11 ties and exchanged the lead 12 times.
Much of that came during the first half which saw the squads head to intermission tied at 35. The Huskies shot over 53 percent in the opening 20 minutes (15-of-28), but the Rams continued to work their way to the foul line, shooting 10-of-14 from the stripe in the first half while Bloomsburg was just 1-of-1.
Philadelphia's Bria Young was a big reason for the game being tied at halftime, netting a game-high 13 points during the first half. Young would not score a point after intermission, however.
Rams leading scorer Najah Jacobs entered the game averaging over 20 points per contest, and would tie the game at 46-46 with a 3-pointer at the 13:55 mark.
From there, though, the Huskies were in control.
Erica Maciejewski (Red Lion/Red Lion) gave the Huskies the initial spark – the junior forward came off the bench and broke the tie with a drive inside for the 48-46 lead. She immediately drew a charging call on the opposite end, and on the next defensive trip down the floor came away with a steal to set up
Taylor Maldonado (Stroudsburg/Allentown Central Catholic) for 3-pointer from the corner and a 51-46 advantage.
That ignited a 12-2 run for Bloomsburg as the Huskies stretched their lead to double digits for the first time at 58-48 following foul shots from
Morgan Klunk (Felton/York Catholic) with 9:22 left.
Jacobs momentarily brought the Rams back within single digits on her 3-pointer from in front of the home bench for a 60-53 score at the 7:58 mark.
Senior
Marla Simmons (Lebanon/Cedar Crest) responded, though, burying two straight shots from the left elbow and then back-to-back 3-pointers from Maldonado and
Camden Boehner (Gettysburg/Gettysburg Area) had the visitors rolling with a 15-point lead.
Bloomsburg never looked back, dominating the second half.
Four Huskies reached double figures, led again by the two-time reigning PSAC East Athlete of the Week Simmons who led all scorers with 18 points. Klunk tallied a season-best 16 points, including a perfect 9-of-9 from the foul line. Maldondo and Boehner each recorded 13 points apiece.
Young led the Rams with 13 points and four assists with Jacobs and Tori Arnao each finishing with 12 points.
The teams finished even in rebounding at 30 apiece while the Huskies forced Philadelphia into 20 turnovers leading to 23 points of offense.
Bloomsburg returns to PSAC East play vs. East Stroudsburg at Nelson Field House Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. Fans are asked to wear white as part of Saturday's "White Out" promotion.
GAME NOTES: Thursday's game was Bloomsburg's non-conference finale ... Philadelphia had not lost at home since a 75-71 setback vs. Kutztown on Nov. 16, 2013 ... The Huskies went a perfect 14-of-14 from the foul line .. .Maciejewski finished with five points and five rebounds ... Bloomsburg tied the all-time series with Philadelphia 9-9 and have won three straight over the Rams ... Bloomsburg shot 49.2 percent from the field (29-59) ... Maldonado handed out seven assists, tying a season high.
