BLOOMSBURG, Pa. – Junior Bella Ricci (Etters, Pa./Red Land) poured in a career-high 24 points to lead the Bloomsburg University women's basketball to an 81-74 win over Kutztown Saturday afternoon. Winners of two straight, the Huskies improved to 9-5 overall, and claimed sole possession of first place in the PSAC East at 5-2 in the conference. The loss dropped Kutztown to 6-8, 4-3 in the PSAC.

Ricci was 6-of-13 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from three-point territory. Emma Saxton (York, Pa./Central York) added in 17 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while Alyssa Mack (Walnutport, Pa./Allentown Central Catholic) notched 13 points. Marissa Molnar (Erie, Pa./McDowell) was the fourth Husky to post double figures, finishing with 11 points. As a team, Bloomsburg drained 8-of-14 (57.1%) from behind the arc.

Ricci and Molnar were hot from the opening tip, catapulting the Huskies to a 17-point lead in the first quarter. Molnar drilled a trio of three-pointers to give Bloomsburg a quick 9-2 lead just 2:57 into the game, while Ricci had seven points in the quarter. The Bloomsburg defense, which was third in the PSAC in points allowed entering the game, was stifling in the opening frame, limiting Kutztown to just four first quarter points on 2-of-15 shooting from the field.

The Golden Bears would claw back in the second quarter, outscoring Bloomsburg 27-21 in the period, but a triple from Ricci would give the Huskies a 42-31 lead at the half. In all, Ricci tallied 16 points and four assists in the first half. Bloomsburg's lead shrank to as little as three points early in the fourth quarter thanks to a 7-0 run, but the Huskies would rip off eight straight to take a 71-60 lead with 3:20 to play. Saxton, Mack, and Ricci all had buckets for Bloomsburg during the run.

On the heels of a career night against Lock Haven on Wednesday (when she posted a career-high 28 points and 11 rebounds), junior Taylor Montana (Berwick, Pa./Berwick) showcased her defensive prowess on Saturday, notching a career-high six blocks for the Huskies. Montana also ripped down 12 boards, and chipped in nine points. 

Rylee Derr led the Golden Bears with 19 points, while Karen Lapkiewicz and Zoe Zerman added 11 points apiece. Kalee Fuegel notched six assists and a game-high five steals. Kutztown outrebounded the Huskies 38-33, but shot just 36.1% from the field as a team. For Kutztown, the loss snaps a three-game win streak dating back to December 18.
 
Bloomsburg returns to action next Saturday, January 12, when they travel to West Chester. Tip-off from Hollinger Field House is set for 1:00 p.m.