(Posted January 7, 2011)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- What had been a nail-biter at halftime turned into a second-half rout for Juniata College women's basketball as the Eagles proved deadly at the free-throw line and cruised to a 78-65 triumph over Catholic University, in a Landmark Conference matchup Friday night at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center.

The Eagles (8-5, 1-1 Landmark) shot 16-of-19 at the line in the second half alone, part of a 46-point effort over the final 20 minutes to overcome what had been a 33-32 Catholic lead at the intermission.

Sophomore Natalie Glinsky (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) finished with 18 points behind 4-of-7 shooting from three-point range and a 4-of-4 mark at the free-throw line - all of it in the second half. Junior Ashton Bankos (York, Pa./York Catholic) tallied 17 points with three 3-pointers, and freshman Kate McDonald (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa./State College Area) logged her fifth double-double of the season with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Jordan Speck (Huntingdon, Pa./Southern Huntingdon) also went 4-for-4 at the line as part of her six points on the night. Senior forward Jen Hnatuck (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) pulled down 10 rebounds to go with her eight points.

Juniata's 14-0 run early in the second half broke the contest wide open, and build a lead that eventually reached 20 points by the midway point of the frame.

A 3-pointer by Catholic's Liz Briones with 17:21 on the clock left Juniata holding a one-point lead, 39-28, but Glinsky quickly turned that into a four-point advantage for the Eagles with a trey on Juniata's next trip down the court. Two-point baskets by McDonald and Hnatuck followed, and another Glinsky trey at the 15:22 mark of the second half extended the Juniata lead into double digits, 50-38.

Jill Woerner's jumper for Catholic with 13:48 showing finally ended the Juniata run. A pair of Hnatuck foul shots and a Meagan Raville (McSherrystown, Pa./Delone Catholic) 3-pointer ensued, and the Eagles led by 18, 58-40, with 12:43 left in the game.

Catholic (8-4, 1-1 Landmark) held Juniata scoreless over the final three minutes, while picking up a jumper from Mary McCann and a pair of baskets by Claire McEvily, bringing the final margin down to 13 points.

Juniata (8-5, 1-1 Landmark) shot 44.8 percent from the field, buoyed by its 48.1 field goal percentage (13-27) in the second half. The Eagles controlled the glass against the Cardinals, pulling down 47 rebounds, including 16 on the offensive glass, to Catholic's 33.

Woerner finished with 14 points to lead the Cardinals, while McGann and Holly Janicki scored 10 points each.

Juniata returns to the hardwood on Saturday afternoon, as it hosts Goucher College in another Landmark Conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

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