Photo By Michael Lipscomb
By Darin Martin
Julia Pinckert set the program single-game record with 12 assists in the women’s basketball team’s 87-69 win over Wilkes on Saturday in Landmark Conference play at O.W. Houts Gymnasium.
Coming off a 27-point win against Goucher on Wednesday, Susquehanna (12-9 overall, 9-5 Landmark) picked up where they left off, completing the regular-season sweep over Wilkes (0-14, 0-21) in dominant fashion.
The River Hawks were led by junior guard Lauren Klein, who scored a career-high 19 points while shooting 53% from the field.
“The plan was just to play our defense that we know how to play,” Klein said. “We got each other the ball when we needed to. That’s where a majority of my points came from.”
A fast-paced start saw the two teams trade buckets early before two early blocks from junior Carly George helped set the tone defensively and saw the River Hawks race out to a 24-11 lead after the first quarter.
Some sharp shooting from Wilkes helped bring it back to within two at halftime, as the Colonels shot 50% from the field in the second quarter. However, a strong third quarter on both sides of the ball saw Susquehanna pull away for good.
The River Hawks poured in 30 points, shooting a scorching 76% from the field. Meanwhile, the defense tightened up in the second half, holding Wilkes to 24% shooting and only seven made field goals.
A well-balanced River Hawks attack saw five players score 14 or more points, with junior Julia Pinckert breaking the school record with 12 assists; sophomore Zoie Maffei also recorded a career-high with 14 rebounds.
Susquehanna coach Gabby Holko said, “We played team basketball. We had 25 assists on 34 of our made baskets. I’m extremely proud of how our team has come together and is playing for each other.”
She continued, “I think the excitement of February into March basketball is something our team is looking forward to. They are having fun while winning some great games.”
“We had a lot of girls step up, and because of their scoring, I was able to get that assist record,” Pinckert said. “It’s a confidence booster when all these girls out here are making their shots, making their layups, feeling good. You get the game flowing, and that’s why we were able to pull ahead in the fourth quarter.”
The River Hawks ended the game shooting 51% from the field and 25% from 3-point range while also shooting 68% from the free-throw line. They held Wilkes to 32% from the field and 25% from 3-point range.
The River Hawks are currently sitting fourth in the Landmark Conference and are looking to close out their season strong.
“We need to stay on top of our defensive effort,” Holko said. “We have two full regular-season weeks left with four games. We need to stay loose but also know what our goal is, and that is to stay in fourth place in the Landmark and host a home playoff game”.
The River Hawks are back in action on Wednesday at Lycoming.