Photos by Michael Lipscomb
By Ashley Nace
The Susquehanna women’s basketball team avenged an early season loss against Elizabethtown on Saturday with a 75-62 win over the Blue Jays in O.W. Houts Gymnasium.
Carly George and Annie Greek led the River Hawks to the win with both players, combining for 42 points. Greek’s 21-point performance was enough to set a new career-high for the junior guard.
“Everyone wanted it that much more after, you know, losing around two months ago,” Greek said.
The River Hawks came out with heat every quarter, putting up points early and often. Susquehanna won the ball at the tip off, and Julia Roth sunk a pull-up jumper for the contest’s first points.
Greek came out of the gate to put up three three-pointers in the first quarter, marking her highest scoring quarter. Junior Sydney Weyant also contributed a total of three three-pointers to the River Hawks’ final score.
Susquehanna’s tight defense and several Elizabethtown technical violations proved a tough feat for the Blue Jays as they struggled to get shots off in the first half of the game. The half ended with the River Hawks leading the Jays 38-25.
“We scouted really well knowing how to guard them and guarding their screens,” explained Greek.
Though Elizabethtown put the ball in the basket first to start the third quarter, the River Hawks never let up.
Greek got it started for Susquehanna with a two-point shot and a pair of free throws. George kept it rolling with a breakaway layup and several more layups to follow the rest of the quarter.
By the end, the River Hawks found themselves with a 56-42 lead entering the fourth. The game picked up in the final quarter as the players’ aggression heightened and the fans grew louder.
Though the Blue Jays made up ground by scoring 20 points in the fourth, it was too little too late for the lead Susquehanna had already built, and the River Hawks closed out the win.
Greek finished her career performance with 21 points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal, while George finished with 21 points, six rebounds and three assists.
The River Hawks also got contributions from Julia Roth with her 11 points and 9 rebounds, one shy of what would have been her 11th double-double of the year.
The atmosphere of playing at home with a large crowd, as well as learning from mistakes made in their last matchup with the Jays, aided the River Hawks in their win, said Greek.
“You know, just learning from the last game,” Greek said regarding the team’s preparation. “We just said to, whenever we have open looks, to be confident, share the ball, pound it down low.”
With the win over the Blue Jays, the River Hawks roll on a three-game winning streak and add a “W” to their overall record of 14-3.
The River Hawks will be back in action for another conference matchup against Juniata on Wednesday, Jan. 25 at 5:00 pm in Huntingdon, PA.