(Posted November 25, 2006)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. - The Juniata College women\'s basketball team forced 30 turnovers, including several during a critical second-half run as the Eagles pulled away from visiting Pitt-Greensburg to claim a 77-62 win Saturday afternoon in Huntingdon. The Eagles improved to 4-0 for the first time since the 1990-91 team won its first five games of the season. Pitt-Greensburg is now 1-3 following the loss. Claudia McDowell (Juniata Valley/Alexandria) scored a game-high 20 points while Jess Winemiller (Dallastown/York) added 15 points and a game-high seven assists in the victory. Trailing for much of the first half, Juniata pulled in front for good with 5:15 remaining in the first half when Mindy Werner (West York/York) hit one of the team\'s 10 three-pointers. Juniata would extend the lead to as many as eight in the first half, but went into the locker room leading by five. Juniata maintained the lead throughout the second half, but were still up only five after Tiffany Menhorn nailed a three and Danielle Maloney knocked down two free throws with 7:02 remaining. Juniata\'s defense then took over as the Eagles forced Pitt-Greensburg turnovers on six of its next seven possessions and Juniata got a hoop from Winemiller, two threes from McDowell and a triple from Ali Meckey (Bishop Carroll/Johnstown) as part of a 15-2 run that put the game away. Meckey and Werner each added nine points for Juniata offensively on the day as the Eagles shot 43 percent from the field and finished with 12 steals and four blocks on the defensive end. McDowell, Winemiller and Kelly Ashcraft (State College/Bellefonte) each had three assists and Ashcraft also grabbed a team-high eight rebounds. Pitt-Greensburg had three players in double figures as Menhorn scored 18 points. Maloney and Julie Ehrman each added 12 for the visitors with Maloney leading all players with 10 rebounds. Menhorn also passed out five assists for the Bobcats on the game. Juniata will return to action on Tuesday when the Eagles open Commonwealth action with a contest at Messiah. ###

Our readers respond...

Be the first to provide a response.

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