By Nicole Hauck, Staff Writer
The Susquehanna’s women’s basketball team had a bittersweet senior day as the River Hawks suffered a tough 61-55 loss to Catholic on Saturday, Feb. 9, in O.W. Houts Gymnasium.
Susquehanna recognized four seniors prior to the start of the game: guard Bailey Trell, forward Haley Lusby, center Haley Timko and team manager Caroline Mure.
This was Susquehanna’s second match up with Catholic, and the game experience between the River Hawks and the Cardinals was similar to the first time; The River Hawks dominating and taking control of the first three quarters, then losing their momentum in the fourth quarter with Catholic taking the lead.
The starters of the game were Timko, Lusby, Trell and sophomore guards Nevin Hoenninger and Erin McQuillen.
The first basket of the game was earned by the Cardinals, but it was not long until the River Hawks went on a small run. McQuillen nailed a threepointer for the first Susquehanna points of the contest.
McQuillen also nailed another three-pointer alongside a few more baskets from teammates, including a three-pointer from Freshman guard Sadie Comfort, to give the River Hawks a 14–5 lead at the end of the first quarter.
In the second quarter, sophomore guard Alexa Petrozzino started a small run from Susquehanna but Catholic soon retook the lead.
However, a three-pointer from Comfort later on gave the lead back to the River Hawks and a Timko jumper gave Susquehanna a 26–19 lead going into the half.
Susquehanna kept up the pressure in the third quarter thanks to three baskets from McQuillen and two from Hoenninger to give the River Hawks a 38-33 lead heading into the final quarter of regulation.
The Cardinals regained some momentum in the fourth quarter and around the five minute mark, Catholic’s Sarah O’Neill scored on a fast break off a River Hawk turnover to retake the lead 48-47.
Susquehanna slowly started to lose themselves after the turnover with missed shots and multiple turnovers down the line ultimately leading to the Cardinals taking the 61– 55 win. Catholic outscored Susquehanna 15–8 in the final quarter of play.
Though Susquehanna’s defense limited the Cardinals to just under 40 percent shooting, the offense couldn’t get going. The River Hawks shot 22-59 from the field, and just 6-25 from three-point range.
Comfort finished the game with eight points as well as three assists, and Hoenninger scored six and grabbed two defensive rebounds to go along with her three assists.
McQuillen led all scorers on the day with 21 points, and also added seven rebounds, three assists and three steals.
“It was hard to take that loss, after being in control throughout the other halves, but games like this is what makes us stronger as a team,” McQuillen said.
“We will take this game and learn from it and work harder in the following game.”
The River Hawks are currently 6-16 overall and 3-9 in conference play. Susquehanna will be seen next at Moravian, for another Landmark Conference matchup, Feb. 13, 7 p.m., in Bethlehem, Pa.