By: Ethan Fuller
In a tug-of-war fight between the Patriot League’s top two teams, Boston University women’s basketball fell just short, losing 55-53 to Bucknell University in Lewisburg, PA. After BU (16-12, 11-6 in PL) handed the Bison (22-6, 15-2 in PL) their second conference loss back on February 1, the script flipped to close out the month.
The final score does not show the game of runs that played out in Pennsylvania. The Bison opened with a 14-6 edge, but the Terriers used a 13-2 second quarter to take a 26-25 lead into halftime. Then Bucknell pushed the advantage to 38-28 with an 11-2 run in the third quarter, only for BU to respond with eight straight points to cut the gap to a bucket.
But while the fourth quarter saw plenty of back-and-forth action, a key block on Maggie Pina’s potentially tying shot gave the win to Bucknell.
Pina, the Patriot League Rookie of the Year frontrunner, did all she could to bring the Terriers home. The freshman scored 17 points and added six rebounds, making a huge three-pointer that brought the score to 54-53 in favor of Bucknell. Pina’s effort is a positive sign for her and the Terriers, after she had failed to reach double digit points in three of her previous four contests.
Matching her on the scoreboard was Bucknell star Ellie Mack, who posted a double-double with 17 points and ten rebounds. Mack led a Bison squad that did plenty of damage inside; over half of the team’s points came inside the paint.
But overall, the box score shows a few oddities. Both teams made over 40 percent of their triples but less than 37 percent of their total field goals. While BU played from behind often, the teams finished near each other in total points, rebounds (36 apiece) and assists (Bucknell won 11-10).
For the Bison, the win vanquishes most doubts about who the championship favorite should be. Bucknell lost one of its home games all year — and none in conference — and will be hosting all of its playoff matchups.
Meanwhile, the Terriers still hold onto the second seed in the Patriot League after Colgate stumbled surprisingly against Army. With just one game to go, the two teams are tied, with BU holding the tiebreaker advantage.
Wednesday’s home contest, also against Army, could decide the second seed. All BU has to do is win or see Colgate and Lafayette lose. Tip-off for the final regular season game of the year is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Featured image courtesy of Hannah Yoshinaga.
WTBU Sports 
1. Even prior to this game, there were no doubts at all as to the championship favorite.
2. You probably should have mentioned that Bucknell was playing without its starting center – out with the flu.
3. You say “All BU has to do is win or see Colgate lose against Lehigh” to get the 2 seed. Not correct. If both BU and Colgate lose, then Lafayette could get the #2 seed.
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