(Posted January 2, 2008)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. - Thiel College took advantage of a 15-2 run late in the first half to surge past Juniata College before halftime and eventually post a 68-62 win over the Eagles, in women's basketball action Wednesday evening at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center in Huntingdon, Pa. Juniata (4-4, 0-1 Landmark) held a 26-16 lead at the 5:14 mark of the first half, following a foul shot by Mindy Werner (York, Pa./York). The Eagles managed just one more field goal over the remainder of the opening stanza - a jumper by Jess Winemiller (York, Pa./Dallastown) with 2:14 left on the clock - while Thiel's 15-point run was fueled by a three-pointer and a pair of field goals by Amber Bodrick. The Eagles regained the lead midway through the second half, thanks to a trey by Gina Piccolini (Indiana, Pa./Indiana) at the 11:23 mark. After stretching the lead to 53-46 with 8:30 remaining, Thiel's Michelle George drained a three-pointer to trigger a 13-2 run that lasted through Catie Sieber's trey with 2:40 on the clock, putting the Tomcats up 59-55. Thiel was 5-of-6 at the free-throw line over the final minute-and-a-half, to beat back Juniata's comeback attempt. Jen Hnatuck (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) logged her second consecutive double-double, third of the season, with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Kelly Ashcraft (Bellefonte, Pa./State College) was the only other Eagle to score in double-figures with 14 points. Juniata was held to just 33.9% (21-62) shooting from the field, its lowest shooting performance of the season. The Tomcats had three players score in double figures, led by Sieber with 18 points and Kim Stitt with 13 points. Thiel out-rebounded Juniata 42-36 for the night, and shot 43.9% (25-57) from the floor. Juniata returns to action on Friday, Jan. 4, at 8:00 p.m. when it hosts Adrian College in the opening round of the Juniata Holiday Tournament. SUNY Brockport and Hamilton will square off in the tournament's 6:00 p.m. matchup. -30-

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