MADISON, N.J. - The Eagles fell at Drew in their final game of the 2016-17 season, ending it with a 10-14 record. The Rangers pulled ahead with a 25-19 the fourth quarter to defeat Juniata 82-70.
Dani Atkinson's (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) three-pointer put Juniata ahead 3-2 in the first minute of play. Three missed shots and one Juniata turnover helped Drew gain a four-point lead with a jumper and a three. Rachael Anstine (York, Pa./Dallastown) then drew a foul on her way up for an offensive rebound. She sank her two shots at the line and the Eagles' were down 7-5.
Drew answered with a layup, but Juniata kept the Rangers' offense quiet for the next three minutes until they made a free throw with four minutes remaining in the quarter. From then until the end of the quarter, JC and Drew played evenly with each team scoring eight. The buzzer sounded with Juniata down 18-13. Veronica Cosmopolis (Lima, Peru/Colegio Carmelitas) contributed with four points in the final minute of the quarter. Atkinson and Morgan Instone (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCort) also tacked on two each with jump shots.
Juniata inched its way back to a four-point game in the even 19-19 second quarter. Anstine tallied seven of those points, as she was the only Eagle to score in the first five minutes of the quarter. Katy Leamer's (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood-Antis) three, assisted by Bethany Spencer (York, Pa./York Suburban), made it a 28-21 game. The Rangers retaliated almost every shot the Eagles made until Kaeana Rebert (Hanover, Pa./South Western) ignited a 9-3 JC run with a shot from behind the key.
The run got the Eagles within five points of the Rangers. JC was unable to tack on any more in the last possession, so it took a 37-32 deficit into the second half.
Drew started the scoring in the third quarter with a layup. On the next possession, Kelly Leamer (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood) answered with one of her own. After earning a stop on the other end, Anstine completed a put back to get within three. Her put back was the start of a 9-5 Juniata run that put the Eagles behind 44-43.
Anstine led on both sides of the ball, shooting 5-12 in the field, 6-7 at the line and recording nine boards. Atkinson followed with 15 points for Juniata.