(Posted February 12, 2005)

Huntingdon, PA. ? A late three-point barrage was not quite enough to propel the Juniata College women?s basketball team to a victory in its home finale as the Eagles dropped a 55-53 decision to visiting Albright College in Huntingdon Saturday evening. Juniata is now 5-17 overall and 1-11 in conference play, while the Lions improved to 5-18 on the year and 2-10 in the conference.

Trailing 51-44 with 1:01 remaining Juniata hit three pointers on three consecutive possessions as Mindy Werner (West York/York), Jess Winemiller (Dallastown/York) and Ali Meckey (Bishop Carroll/Ebensburg) all converted from long range to cut the lead to 55-53 with seven seconds remaining. A Juniata foul sent Albright?s Meredith Berger to the line with four seconds remaining. Berger missed both free throws but the Lions? Jacqueline Hardwick pulled down the offensive rebound to prevent Juniata from having a last-second shot.

Juniata led by six to start the second half, but saw the Lions start the half quickly, as an 8-2 run from the visitors tied the score at 25. The run continued with a lay-up from Jen DuPrau and a three from Sabrina Perry put the Lions up by five. Though Juniata would stay within five points until the final minute, the Eagles could not pull back in front the remainder of the game. A free throw from Werner had Juniata within one at the 11:04 mark, then after the Lions surged back in front by five, Lesley Snoby (Johnstown/Johnstown) scored four-straight points to again pull within a point. But the Eagles could not take the step to get in front as the Lions held on.

Juniata?s defense was the story of the first half, as Juniata smothered the visitors? offensive attack. After a jumper from Meredith Berger gave Albright a 9-8 lead with 12:40 on the clock Juniata held the Lions scoreless over the next nine minutes as Juniata built up an 11-point lead. Kristen Kirk (Newport/Newport) capped the run with a three pointer giving Juniata a 20-9 edge with 3:30 remaining in the half. The Lions would battle back, ending the half on a 6-1 run to pull back within six. Juniata held Albright to 6-of-26 shooting from the field in the first 20 minutes.

Winemiller finished as the high scorer for Juniata as she netted 12 points while also grabbing a team-best nine rebounds. Snoby added 10 points and five rebounds for the Eagles, while Courtney Callas (Freeport/Sarver) had a team-high five assists.

Albright?s Marie Levins led all players with 15 points in the game. DuPrau added 10 points and eight boards for the Lions, with Perry chipping in a team-best four assists.

Juniata will play its final two games of the season on the road, beginning Tuesday night as the Eagles travel to play Susquehanna.

ALBRIGHT (55): Levins 4 7-8 15, DuPraus 5 0-1 10, Howard 1 0-0 2, Hardwick 2 4-6 8, Waligorski 2 0-0 4, Buzad 1 0-0 3, Perry 1 4-5 7, Berger 3 0-2 6, Cross 0 0-0 0. Totals ? 19 15-22 55

JUNIATA (53): Callas 1 0-0 2, Walsh 3 0-0 6, Winemiller 4 3-4 12, O?Brien 4 1-2 9, Snoby 4 2-2 10, Meckey 2 0-0 6, Kirk 1 0-0 3, Rhoads 0 0-0 0, Werner 1 2-5 5. Totals ? 20 8-13 53

Halftime: Juniata 23-1 7. 3-point goals: Juniata 5 (Meckey 2, Winemiller, Kirk, Werner); Albright 2 (Buzad, Perry). Assists: Juniata 14 (Callas 5); Albright 13 (Perry 4). Rebounds: Juniata 32 (Winemiller 9); Albright 42 (DuPrau 8).


Records: Juniata (5-17); Albright (5-18).

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Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.