Royals Pull Away in Fourth From Eagles

SCRANTON, Pa.- The Juniata women's basketball team ran out of gas in the fourth as they suffered a 70-45 loss to #3 University of Scranton Saturday afternoon at the John Long Center.   

The offenses for both teams were clicking early with a triple from Kynnedy Miller, a jumper from Bri Bodtorf with Steph Emert assisting, and a Haily Sherman three off a Miller assist that pushed Juniata ahead 8-5 three minutes in. Bodtorf converted another jumper, and Miller swished a three to make it 13-5 midway through the first. The teams traded makes for a bit, with Sherman and Emert pacing the Eagles as they led 17-11, but the Royals scored the final six points of the quarter to tie things at 17 after one. 

Scranton opened the second quarter on a 14-2 run; Miller swished a three and found Sarah Betts for a jumper which would bring JC within 10, 34-24. The Royals scored the final bucket of the half as Juniata trailed by 12 at the half. 

Two layups from Sherman and one from Miller brought the Eagles within six early in the third. The Royals converted a pair of foul shots, Emert scored inside, and Bodtorf from the midrange as the Eagles closed within four at 38-34 with a little under five to go in the quarter. Back-to-back triples from Sherman and Miller would knot things at 40, with the Royals converting a three of their own to jump back out ahead by three. The Royals closed the quarter on a 7-1 rally, with Millers' foul shot providing the point for JC as the Eagles trailed 47-41 heading into the fourth.  

Scranton controlled the fourth as they outscored the Eagles 23-4 to end the game. 

Miller tallied 15 points, five rebounds, and three assists, while Sherman amassed 14 points and six rebounds. Bodtorf contributed eight points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals. Emert added four points, six rebounds, three assists, and two steals. 

Juniata finishes the season at 7-18.