(Posted January 19, 2005)

Juniata 67, Susquehanna 64

Huntingdon, Pa. ? Ali Meckey (Bishop Carroll/Ebensburg) drained a three pointer with eight seconds remaining to break a 64-64 tie and propel the Juniata College women?s basketball team to a 67-64 victory over Susquehanna University in Commonwealth Conference action in Huntingdon Wednesday night. Juniata moved to 1-4 in Commonwealth action and 5-10 overall with the victory. The Crusaders fell to 5-10 on the year and 1-4 in conference action. With the win, the Eagles matched their win total from a season ago, with nine games still remaining on this year?s schedule.

Juniata led by as many as 19 in the second half, only to see the Crusaders fight their way back into the game. A lay-up from Jen Clark with 2:41 remaining gave the visitors their first lead since the opening minutes of the game. Meckey answered with a basket for Juniata, putting the Eagles in front 64-63. Crystal Schneck connected on one of two free throws, tying the score at 64 with 1:29 left. Both teams missed opportunities in the final minute before Meckey put Juniata back in front with the three. Schneck?s attempt to tie on the next trip bounced off the rim as the Eagles secured the win.

Jess Winemiller (Dallastown/York) led the Eagles in scoring on the night with 16 points. She also grabbed a team-high five rebounds. Meckey finished with a career-high 14 points along with three blocks and three steals. Mindy Werner (West York/York) finished with a team-high three assists.

Susquehanna had three players in double figures, led by Clark who scored 15. Sarah Jane Kalejta added 12, while Skyra Blanchard record a ?double-double? with 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The first 20 minutes were nearly identical to the second 20 as Juniata pulled out to a big lead, only to see the Crusaders battle back into the game. Trailing 7-6 after a basket from Blanchard, Juniata went on a 23-3 run over the next 10 minutes, a stretch in which Susquehanna recorded just one field goal. Six different players scored for Juniata during the run.

Juniata held the visitors without a basket from the field for just less than 10 minutes of game action before a jumper from Kalejta broke the ice. From there, Susquehanna slowly chipped away at the lead, cutting the margin down to four before a pair of free throws from Kristen Kirk (Newport/Newport) sent Juniata into the locker room leading by six.

Juniata will look to build on this momentum as the Eagles travel to take on Commonwealth opponent Albright on Saturday evening.

JUNIATA (67): Meckey 5 0-0 13, Walsh 2 0-0 4 Kirk 1 3-4 6, Winemiller 5 5-7 16, O?Brien 3 0-0 6, Callas 3 1-2 7, Rhoads 1 0-0 2, Werner 3 0-1 7, Snoby 2 2-4 6. Totals ? 25 11-18 67

SUSQUEHANNA (64): Schneck 2 1-2 5, Kalejta 5 2-4 12, Letcavage 4 1-2 9, Clark 5 5-7 15, Blanchard 5 1-3 11, Houseal 2 4-4 8, Williamson 1 2-2 4, Carlson 0 0-0 0, Evans 0 0-0 0. Totals 24 16-24 64

Halftime: Juniata 35-29. 3-point goals: Juniata 6 (Meckey 3, Kirk, Winemiller, Werner); Susquehanna 0. Assists: Juniata 10 (Werner 3); Susquehanna 11 (Blanchard 5). Rebounds: Juniata 32 (Winemiller 5); Susquehanna 46 (Blanchard 11).

Records: Juniata (5-10); Susquehanna (5-10).

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