THE HEADLINE: The Dickinson Red Devils took control in the fourth quarter to come back and beat the Eagles 72-64 in the 2016-17 season opener on Nov. 15 in Memorial Gym.
THE STARTERS:
21 Katy Leamer
42 Kelly Leamer
FIRST HALF: Dani Atkinson (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic) made a three-pointer jumper two minutes into the game to take a 3-2 lead over the Red Devils. From there, Juniata continued to add on, while keeping Dickinson quiet. With buckets from Atkinson, Kelly Leamer (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood-Antis), Katy Leamer (Altoona, Pa./Bellwood-Antis), and Bailey Swogger (Tyrone, Pa./Bellwood-Antis), the Eagles took an 18-12 lead into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Katy Leamer exploded with five buckets and nine points. Juniata took a 35-27 lead into the half.
SECOND HALF: A layup by Kelly Leamer less than a minute into the third quarter gave the Eagles a game-high, 12-point lead. From there, though, Dickinson began to crawl back.
They gained the lead for the second time in the game with a layup two minutes into the fourth quarter, putting them ahead 54-51. Bethany Spencer (York, Pa./York Suburban) quickly tied it back up with a long three-pointer. After going back and forth for a few minutes, Atkinson hit a three to take a 59-57 lead.
That was the last lead the Eagles had in the game.
OFF THE BENCH: Swogger and Bri Wasser both tallied five points in their play off the bench. In her 18 minutes of play, Swogger also recorded six defensive rebounds.
WHAT'S NEXT?: Juniata is heading to the McDaniel Tip Off Tournament on Nov. 18-19. On Friday, Nov. 18, they will face No. 6 St. Thomas (Minn.) at 6 p.m. Depending on the results of that game, they will play McDaniel or Mt. Aloysius on Saturday, Nov. 19.