LATROBE, PA – The St. Vincent Bearcats narrowly defeated the Juniata women's basketball team 73-64 Saturday afternoon.
The Eagles were led offensively by senior Maria Photiades (Abottstown, PA / Delone Catholic). Photiades went 4-7 on three-point shots, 3-4 from behind the line and finished up with 17 total points.
Dani Atkinson (Lancaster, PA / Lancaster Catholic) and Natalie Hager (Franklin, PA / Franklin) followed with 14 points apiece.
Katy Leamer (Altoona, PA / Bellwood-Antis) led Juniata off the bench with eight rebounds and 11 points, including an 83.3 free throw percentage (5-6).
Juniata started the game off strong from beyond the three-point arch and finished the first half 6-13. They found trouble connecting in the second half and went 1-11.
The Eagles held a brief lead in the first quarter following a three from Photiades and a free throw from Atkinson. The Bearcats immediately responded with a layup to tie the score at 13 with 2:47 remaining. Photiades banked another three to give Juniata a 16-13 lead before St. Vincent finished the quarter on a 7-0 run.
St. Vincent was unable to break away for a more comfortable lead as the Eagles matched them point-for-point in the second and fourth quarters.
The loss drops Juniata to 2-2 on the season as they look ahead to their first Landmark Conference match of the season Wed. Dec. 2 against Elizabethtown at 7pm.