(Posted December 4, 2010)

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- A jumper by Susquehanna University's Rachael Hughes in the waning seconds of regulations forced overtime, where the Crusaders completed a 74-73 win over Juniata College in the Landmark Conference women's basketball opener for both squads on Saturday night at Houts Gymnasium.

Hughes' jumper knotted the game at 70-70, after a jumper by Juniata's Jen Hnatuck (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) and a pair of Ashton Bankos (York, Pa./York Catholic) free throws allowed Juniata (5-2, 0-1 Landmark) to grab a two-point lead with 25 seconds remaining in regulation.

In the five-minute overtime period, the two teams combined to make just three field goals. Juniata held a 73-70 lead barely 30 seconds into OT, following a jumper and later a foul shot by freshman Kate McDonald (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa./State College Area).

Neither team scored for the next three minutes, but a pair of jumpers by Susquehanna's Samantha Cartwright left the Crusaders holding a one-point lead. Bankos got away a jumper with 17 seconds remaining, but the shot didn't fall and Susquehanna survived to post the win.

Hnatuck posted 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting, and hauled in 10 rebounds to complete the double-double. Bankos tallied 19 points on 6-of-12 shooting, and connected on one of Juniata's three 3-pointers. McDonald had seven points to go with her 12 rebounds. The Eagles got 16 points off the bench, led by Megan Raville (McSherrystown, Pa./Delone Catholic) with six points.

Juniata shot 39.4 percent (26-of-66) from the floor, outshooting a Susquehanna squad that was firing at 37.0 percent (27-of-73).

Three Crusaders scored in double figures, led by Gina Palazzi's 16 points on 8-of-19 shooting from the field with a game-high 17 rebounds. 11 of Palazzi's 17 boards were on the offensive end of the floor. Erika Barron and Hughes each chipped in with 15 points, while Hughes and Cartwright each dished out four assists.

Juniata returns to the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center on Wednesday, Dec. 8, when it hosts Saint Vincent College at 7:00 p.m.

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