Strong Second Half Helps Crusaders Claim Win

SELINSGROVE, Pa. - Three Crusaders place in double figures as the Susquehanna women's basketball team (6-3) pulled off a victory over visiting Richard Stockton (5-3) on Saturday afternoon at O.W. Houts Gymnasium.

Sophomore Samantha Jansson (Cumbola, Pa./Nativity BVM) paced the Crusaders with 18 points from off the bench on 6-of-10 (60 percent) shooting from the field. Senior Leigh Henderson (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove) contributed 12 points, while fellow classmate Ruth Williamson (State College, Pa./DuBois Central Catholic) tallied 10 points 5-of-8 (62.5 percent) shooting from the field. Freshman Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) chipped in with seven points, two assists, and three steals.

The beginning of the first half was relatively quiet as both teams were held scoreless until an Osprey free throw at the 18:57 mark. Henderson's jumper at 17:24 gave SU its first points of the game, and subsequently sparked an 8-0 scoring run. Both teams exchanged baskets until the Crusaders netted 10 unanswered points to achieve its largest advantage of the half, 18-9, with just over five minutes remaining in the first period.  SU held a 27-21 edge heading into the lockerroom.

Susquehanna forced 10 turnovers in the first half, and held Stockton's leading scorer, Jenn Russell (11.8 ppg), to only two points. The Crusaders were 11-of-30 (36.7 percent) from the field while the Ospreys were 8-of-15 (53.3 percent).

Richard Stockton opened up the second half by scoring two quick baskets. A pair of free- throws by Stockton's Russell would give the Ospreys' its first advantage, 28-27, since the opening minutes of the first half.

The Ospreys held Susquehanna scoreless until the 16:40 mark, when Williams connected on a jumper to regain the lead and open up scoring for the Crusaders. SU went on a 6-0 run in the next minute and a half to gain a 36-28 advantage. Stockton responded by going on a 6-0 run of its own to achieve its first lead since the start of the second half.

Susquehanna scored 12 unanswered points to pull away from Stockton to gain the first double digit lead of the game, 55-44, with just over four minutes to play in regulation. The Ospreys were unable to counter the attack and the Crusaders kept a comfortable double digit lead to close out the second period.

For Richard Stockton, senior Lisa Neira led all scorers with a game-high 19 points. Freshman Kelley Guarrera tallied 14 points, and Russell contributed 10 points. The Ospreys committed 25 turnovers for the game while falling to 5-3 on the season.

The Crusaders outscored Stockton 36-43 in the second half to cruise to a 57-70 win. They were 14-of-16 (87.5 percent) from the charity stripe in the second half, and 19-of-23 (82.6 percent) for the game.  SU had 40 total bench points, and converted 21 points off turnovers, while improving to 6-3 on the season.

Susquehanna will be off for 13 days before resuming play against the College of Staten Island on Saturday Dec. 29 at the Grand Canyon Classic. Opening tip for the away contest is scheduled for 2 p.m.