Dan Sherman
Asst. SID
Juniata
814-641-3513
Huntingdon, Pa., The Juniata College women's basketball fell to the Bearcats 78-57 in their first game in front of the home crowd on Tuesday night. Possession killed the Eagles, with 29 Bearcat points coming off of Juniata turnovers.
Freshman Danielle Atkinson (Lancaster, PA / Lancaster Catholic) led all starters with nine points. The guard finished the night with four rebounds and a team high five assists. Natalie Hager (Franklin, PA / Franklin) led the team with seven boards, adding 7 points, two steals, two assists, and a block. Juniata got a lot of production of its bench once again, as the Eagles reserves put up 30 points. Sarah Sherman (Lansdale, PA / Methacton) drained two treys off the bench and finished the game with nine points and two rebounds. Katy Leamer (Bellwood, PA / Bellowood Antis) also had nine points off of the bench, draining three of five three point attempts. The forward dished out three assists, had two takeaways, and pulled in a rebound as well.
St. Vincent went on an 11-0 run to start the game and never looked back. Mara Benvenuti (Franklin, PA / Franklin) led the Bearcats with a team-high 24 points and six rebounds. The sophomore guard only missed three shots all night and was 4-5 from beyond the arc. Taylor Mathers (Uniontown, PA / Laurel Highlands) added 7 points. The Forward led with seven rebounds, adding two assists and a steal.
The Eagles will look to rebound when they return from Thanksgiving break. Juniata will host the Elizabethtown Blue Jays on Wednesday, December 3rd to open conference play. The Blue Jays in their first season in the Landmark were ranked one spot ahead of the Eagles in the preseason poll at fourth. Game time from Memorial Gymnasium is set for 7 pm.
