(Posted December 29, 2005)

Rutgers-Camden 58, Juniata 51

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND, Texas ? The Juniata College women?s basketball team lost the consolation game of the South Padre Shootout 58-51 to Rutgers-Camden Thursday evening.

The Eagles trailed by as many as 17 in the second half but, for the second straight night, staged a valiant comeback, pulling to within 44-40 on a pair of Ali Meckey (Bishop Carroll/Ebensburg) free throws with 6:19 remaining. Katie O?Brien (South Western/Hanover) had six points during the run, and Jess Winemiller (Dallastown/York) had five. Rutgers-Camden scored the next eight points, however, as the Juniata surge stalled with five consecutive empty possessions.

O?Brien and Winemiller led the team with 10 points apiece. O?Brien had eight rebounds for the second time in as many games, and was named to the all-tournament team. Courtney Callas (Freeport/Sarver) added eight points.

Rutgers-Camden?s Megan Rulon, another all-tournament honoree, paced all scorers with 17, in addition to 11 rebounds. Imani Hafiz had added 11 points, and Carmen Zimmitt and Krystal Jankowski each added 10.

It could be said that the game was decided at the free throw line. While both teams shot excellent percentages, Rutgers-Camden took 11 more free throws than Juniata, and held a ten-point advantage in that category. The Eagles also shot themselves in the foot with 23 turnovers, and hit just two three-pointers out of 14 attempts.

The game started out on a bright note for Juniata, as the Eagles jumped out to an early lead thanks to two buckets from Callas and a three-pointer from Kristen Kirk (Newport/Newport). A jumper from O?Brien put them ahead 9-4 after six minutes.

However, the Eagles went cold from there, managing just six points the rest of the half. Rutgers-Camden closed out the opening period with a 14-2 run and took a 26-15 lead into the break. A Karen Carter jump shot put Rutgers-Camden up 40-23, but a Lesley Snowden (Johnstown/Johnstown) layup sparked the 17-4 run that made the game close.

Juniata falls to 5-6 on the season, and returns home Tuesday, January 3, when they play host to LaRoche.

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.