Huntingdon, Pa. - JC was on the wrong end of a 20-7 run, resulting in the Eagles' 76-62 loss. Juniata held and maintained the lead until the final quarter of play.
Scranton went two-for-two in the first three minutes of the game to gain a 4-0 lead over the Eagles. Kelly Leamer (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood) intercepted a pass under the Royals' basket and capitalized on the possession with a long jumper, cutting Scranton's lead in half.
Bethany Spencer (York, Pa./York Suburban) forced a turnover that led to a three-pointer by Katy Leamer (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood-Antis). The Eagles were ahead by one. The Royals and Eagles went back-and-forth, trading a one-point lead, until the Royals pulled ahead by four.
Sarah Sherman (Lansdale, Pa./Methacton) came into the game and hit a three on the next JC possession to cut the Scranton lead to 14-13.
The Royals pulled extended their lead to end the first quarter ahead 19-13.
Scranton hit a three on its first possession of the second quarter. Dani Atkinson (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) and Katy Leamer then retaliated with three-pointers of their own. Trailing 21-19, JC fought back with a 19-14 run to get ahead of the Royals in the second quarter. Five defensive rebounds, three three-pointers, one block by Rachael Anstine (York, Pa./Dallastown) and one steal by Atkinson contributed to the run that put the Eagles ahead 38-35 at the half.
Two Royal layups and a pair of free throws erased Juniata's lead. Down 41-38, Anstine powered to the basket for a basket, but Scranton got the two points back.
Kelly Leamer sank a free throw. After a missed Scranton three and offensive rebound, Anstine completed a coast-to-coast play, starting with a huge block, to tie the game at 43.
Anstine made another layup that was answered by Scranton, again knotting the game. The Eagles then went on an 8-2 run to take a 53-47 lead.
Despite a jumper by Veronica Cosmopolis (Lima, Peru/Colegio Carmelitas), the Royals tallied up nine points in the last 1:30 of the third quarter to hold a 56-55 lead heading into the final ten minutes of play.
Katy Leamer started the final quarter with a three-pointer, her fourth of the game, to mark a 58-56 lead. However, the Royals owned the fourth quarter, outscoring Juniata 20-7 and winning the game 76-62.
Katy Leamer led the offense with 16 points, sinking a game-high four three pointers. Atkinson followed with 12 points, all of which were in the first half. The junior dished out eight assists, four in the second half. Freshman Suzy Badorf-England (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Mechanicsburg) recorded five rebounds for JC, three offensive and two defensive.
The women are traveling to Elizabethtown on Wednesday, Feb. 8 to face the Blue Jays for the second time this season. They are returning home on Saturday, Feb. 11 for a doubleheader with the men against Moravian. Before tip-off, the Eagles will be honoring their seniors, Katy Leamer and Sarah Sherman.
