Pacers Hold-Off Eagles

SCRANTON, Pa.- The Juniata women's basketball team hung tough but ultimately fell on the road at Marywood University, 63-53, Saturday afternoon.  

Haily Sherman totaled 12 points, seven rebounds, an assist, two steals, and a block, while Laney Gerdich had 10 points and six rebounds. Bri Bodtorf added nine points, four rebounds, five assists and a block. Olivia Berg tallied eight points, four rebounds, an assist, and two steals. Steph Emert contributed seven points, a team-high nine rebounds, four assists, and three steals. 

The Pacers scored the game's opening bucket on a three-pointer three minutes in, and Emert found Gerdich for a jumper on the other end to open the scoring for the Eagles. Two Bodtorf foul shots and a Sherman jumper gave JC their first lead. Marywood retook the lead on a three and led at the end of the quarter 13-9. 

Juniata got within two once in the second, on an Emert and-one when she was fouled while making a jumper. Emma Coolidge's layup off a Bodtorf pass brought JC within three, 23-20, with two to play. The Pacers scored the final three points of the half as the Eagles trailed by six at the half, 26-20. 

A 14-7 surge out the gates to open the second half, capped by a Berg triple, had Juniata up 34-31 with just over four minutes to go in the quarter. The Pacers closed the third on a 9-2 run, and Juniata trailed 40-36 heading into the final stanza. 

The Eagles kept the pace in the first part of the fourth, as a pair of Bodtorf free throws brought the Eagles back within four, 49-45, with five to go. From there, the hosts kept JC at bay with a 14-8 run to close out the game. 

Juniata returns to action at home Tuesday as they begin Landmark Conference play at 7:00 pm.