LEWISBURG, Pa. –
Lex Therien recorded career-highs of 23 points and 14 rebounds, posting her second-straight double-double, on Saturday, but Bucknell University used an 8-0 run to close the first half en route to a 62-42 Patriot League victory at Sojka Pavilion.
Therien, who had 13 points and 11 rebounds Wednesday night against Boston University, scored all nine of Loyola's points in the first quarter and then had 11 points and seven boards by halftime. She eclipsed her previous bests of 14 points (December 1 at Howard) and 13 rebounds (November 20 at Hofstra and December 8 versus Morgan State); the double-double was the fourth of her freshman season.
Her first quarter helped Loyola keep pace with the Bison as Loyola trailed by just a point, 10-9, after the opening 10 minutes. Bucknell opened up a pair of five-point leads in the next stanza, the second time coming on a Carly Krsul layup at 6:42.
Keegan Douglas drained a three from the right corner for the Greyhounds at 3:49, pulling Loyola within a pair, 20-18, but Julie Kulesza responded with a three 16 seconds later, sparking the run that Bucknell would use to close the half up 10, 28-18.
Therien had a steal and transition layup 44 seconds into the third quarter, and after a
Bri Rozzi steal, she had another bucket in the paint at 8:38, and the Greyhounds were back within six.
The teams traded field goals over the next three minutes, and Therien converted at 5:38 to make it 32-26 Bucknell, but the Bison then went on a 10-0 run to break the game open and lead by double figures the remainder of the way.
Taleah Dixon added six points for the Greyhounds, and Douglas had five off the bench. Rozzi dished out a team-best four assists, and
Caramina Tañedo added three.
Therien also had two blocked shots and a pair of steals for the Greyhounds.
Three Bison scored in double figures, led by Krsul's 14 off the bench. Cecelia Collins added 12, and Taylor O'Brien scored 10.
Loyola continues its road trip on Wednesday, January 12, with a 6 p.m. game at Lafayette College.
