Mustangs Pull Away From Eagles in Second Half

WESTMINSTER, Md.- The Juniata women's basketball team lost to Stevenson University 65-50 on day two of the Rebecca Martin Memorial Tip-off Hosted by McDaniel College, Saturday afternoon inside the Gill Center. 

Bri Bodtorf led the way with 13 points, nine rebounds, four steals and two assists while Emma Coolidge tallied 10 points, eight rebounds and an assist. Makenna Hartman contributed eight points and five rebounds off the bench.

Bodtorf found Emily McCann for a jumper to open the scoring. The Mustangs countered with a layup following a steal, along with a three. Bodtorf countered with a layup while being fouled to bring the Eagles to within one. Stevenson surged ahead by as many nine, but the Eagles cut it back within four on a Michaela Owens three off a Laney Gerdich assist. Stevenson scored the final four points of the quarter to lead by eight at the break, 21-13. 

Stevenson tried to pull away as their lead slowly increased to as many as 14, but Juniata hung tough. A Hartman jumper and later a Bodtorf shot in the final seconds sent JC into the locker room down 10, 40-30. 

Juniata came out strong to start the second half, as they opened with an 8-2 surge to get within four, 42-38, in the first three and half minutes. The Mustangs weathered the Eagle surge, and the JC deficit crept back up to 12 over the next two minutes. 

The Eagles couldn't get closer the rest of the game. 

Stevenson had a 50-36 advantage on the glass, and scored 19 points off turnovers to Juniata's seven. 

The Eagles will return to the hardwood to take on Penn State Altoona on the road, Tuesday at 7:00.