Women's Basketball

Juniata Hosts 9th Annual Holiday Tournament

Posted: Dec 29, 2014

Dan Sherman

Asst. SID

Juniata

814-641-3513

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – The Juniata College women's basketball team will welcome Widener University, Heidelberg University, and the Apprentice School to the Kennedy Sports+Recreation Center for the Eagles 9^th annual Comfort Inn Holiday Tournament. The tournament runs Tuesday, Dec. 30 through Wednesday, Dec. 31. Widener and Apprentice School tip off at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday with the Eagles following at 3:00 p.m. against Heidelberg. The tournament schedule is available online by clicking here.

Juniata (1-7, 0-2 Landmark) dropped their first two games of the season at the NYU Tip-Off Tournament, but rebounded to earn their first victory with a 70-63 win at Frostburg State. They come into the tournament after defeating Gwynedd Mercy 73-68 in their previous home match on the 20^th. Olivia Halfpenny (McVeytown, PA / Mifflin County) scored a career high 17 points off of the bench. Senior Kelsey Livoti (Altoona, PA / Bishop Guilfoyle) had a double double (14 points, 13 rebounds) and Natalie Hager (Franklin, PA / Franklin) scored 12 points with eight rebounds.

Livoti is Juniata's leading point scorer, averaging 13 points-per-game, while Hager leads the team in rebounds. Theresa Jackson, Marisa Liburdi, and Carli Patrick are all averaging double-digit points for Heidelberg. The Lady Builders also have three players averaging more than 10 points a game, with Shanae Hilliard leading the group. Allison Gallagher is the leading scorer for the Pride.

Juniata will face Heidelberg in its first game since December 20^th in the second game of day one. They are 0-1 against the Student Princes with their only matchup occurring during the 1984-85 season. This will mark the second time the programs meet in Huntingdon. Heidelberg is 2-6 on the year and has won one of its last three games. They are averaging just under 70 points-per-game.

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