2008-09 Game Summaries

Feb. 25 (Landmark Conference semifinals): Susquehanna 51, Scranton 60
Feb. 21: Susquehanna 58, Juniata 65
Feb. 15: Susquehanna 61, Drew 44
Feb. 14 ("Pink Zone" Day): Susquehanna 56, USMMA 54
Feb. 8: Susquehanna 63, Catholic 60
Feb. 7: Susquehanna 71, Goucher 54
Jan. 31: Susquehanna 53, #25 Scranton 60
Jan. 30: Susquehanna 65, #16 Moravian 69 (OT)
Jan. 25: Susquehanna 67, Goucher 53
Jan. 24: Susquehanna 78, Catholic 49
Jan. 17: Susquehanna 66, USMMA 77
Jan. 16: Susquehanna 68, Drew 48
Jan. 10: Susquehanna 62, #18 Moravian 73
Jan. 9: Susquehanna 51, Scranton 61
Jan. 4 (Lady Monarch Classic consolation game): Susquehanna 71, Rutgers-Camden 29
Jan. 3 (Lady Monarch Classic first round): Susquehanna 54, Albright 74
Dec. 18: Susquehanna 59, Richard Stockton 61
Dec. 13: Susquehanna 78, Baptist Bible 67
Dec. 6: Susquehanna 59, Juniata 55
Dec. 2: Susquehanna 55, Lycoming 78
Nov. 29: Susquehanna 74, Neumann 58
Nov. 23 (Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament championship game): Susquehanna 78, McDaniel 68
Nov. 22 (Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament first round): Susquehanna 72, Alfred 52
Nov. 19: Susquehanna 62, Wilkes 50
Nov. 16 (Cherry Cove/Seahawk Tip-Off Tournament championship game): Susquehanna 62, St. Mary's (Md.) 55
Nov. 15 (Cherry Cove/Seahawk Tip-Off Tournament first round): Susquehanna 65, FDU-Florham 49

Feb. 25: Susquehanna 51, Scranton 60 Box Score

SCRANTON, Pa. -- Despite the Susquehanna University women’s basketball team going on a commanding run late in the game, it wasn’t enough to upset host No. 18 The University of Scranton in the first round of the Landmark Conference championships. No. 4-seeded Susquehanna (16-10 overall) fell to No. 1 Scranton (22-4 overall), 60-51, at John Long Center on Feb. 25.

A layup by freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) sparked a 16-3 Susquehanna run to help the Crusaders outscore the Lady Royals, 35-31, in the second half and come within one point of Scranton with just 5 minutes, 1 second lingering on the clock.

Butts’ layup was followed by a pair of points from freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) before Butts would hit a three-pointer on a Zigarelli assist. The Lady Royals were cold on the next play allowing Susquehanna to scoop up the defensive rebound and get a layup and a successful continuation shot from sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) to bring the visiting squad within four.

Scranton responded with a basket of their own before Zigarelli sunk a field goal on an assist from junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary). Watkins drove the paint to hit back-to-back layups and bring the Orange and Maroon within one, but Scranton responded with six unanswered points to retain the steady lead that they held the majority of the game.

On two occasions, with 2:12 and just 18 seconds remaining in the game, the Crusaders fought to within five points on a Hughes jumper and a Watkins three-pointer, respectively. However, the Lady Royals hit two from the charity stripe and a layup before time expired for the win by nine.

Scranton will host No. 2 Moravian College on Saturday, Feb. 28, in the Landmark championship game, following Moravian’s 66-57 defeat of No. 3 Juniata College in Bethlehem, Pa., also on Feb. 25.

Hughes led the Crusaders with 19 points, while Watkins and Butts added 10 apiece. Watkins also made a team-high four assists and added three rebounds and a steal. Zigarelli led SU on the boards with eight rebounds and freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) followed with seven.

Feb. 21: Susquehanna 58, Juniata 65 Box Score

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Susquehanna University’s freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) tallied game-highs of 18 points and nine rebounds and added an assist and a steal, but visiting Susquehanna lost to Juniata College, 65-58, in a Landmark Conference game at Kennedy Sports and Recreation Center on Feb. 21.

This was the last regular-season game of the season for both Susquehanna (16-9, 8-6 Landmark) and Juniata (15-10, 9-5 Landmark). Juniata has earned the Landmark’s No. 3 seed for the conference playoffs and will travel to No. 2 Moravian College for a semifinals game on Wednesday, Feb. 25. SU is the No. 4 seed. The Crusaders travel to No. 1 The University of Scranton for the other semifinal that same day.

Shober was eight of 12 from the field. SU’s junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) came off the bench to pour in 11 points and add two rebounds, an assist and a steal. Sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) dished out a team-high four assists for the Crusaders, scored six points, grabbed three boards and made a steal.

The Eagles never trailed in the first half. They jumped out to a 5-0 lead and led by as many as seven points at 26-19 with 2 minutes, 46 seconds to play before halftime.

When the dust settled, it was 28-26 Juniata at the intermission.

Susquehanna opened the second half on a 6-0 run to make the score 32-28 with 17:17 left. The Crusaders actually controlled play for a large part of the second half and twice took a nine-point lead, the second of which at 50-41 with 7:54 left.

The SU offense ran into trouble down the stretch though. Watkins’ free throw made the score 58-55 Crusaders with 2:06 remaining, and that would be her team’s last point of the game.

The Crusaders turned the ball over on four of its next five possessions, and the Eagles turned that into eight points for a 63-58 lead with just 19 seconds to play.

SU fouled late to try to extend the game, but a Juniata player made the game’s final four free throws to ice it.

Feb. 15: Susquehanna 61, Drew 44 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- The Susquehanna University women’s basketball team used the strong depth of its roster to defeat visiting Drew University, 61-44, in a Landmark Conference game at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Feb. 14.

All 15 available players on the Susquehanna (16-8, 8-5 Landmark) roster aided in compiling the win over Drew (10-13, 3-10 Landmark).

Sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) scored 11 points and added a rebound, a block and a steal for the Crusaders, while freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) tallied 10 points and pulled down two rebounds. Freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) led all Susquehanna players with six boards. Shober also had six points, three assists and a block.  

In the first 12 minutes, 6 seconds of the game, the lead changed hands on six separate occasions before Hughes drove the paint to hit a jumper and put the Crusaders ahead for good with 5:25 remaining in the first half. Susquehanna increased its lead by as many as 10 prior to taking a 31-22 advantage into the locker room at the half.

The Rangers were first to score in the second half, bringing the game to within six points; however, that was as close as the visiting squad would get. A field goal by sophomore forward/center Samantha Cartwright (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) with 9:37 remaining in the game tipped-off a 13-point run for the Crusaders. The Orange and Maroon led by 19 with 4:40 remaining. Susquehanna twice lead by as many as 20 in the final four minutes of the game.

Susquehanna shot 47.7 percent from the field and 77.3 percent from the foul line, while Drew managed 30.2 and 75 percents, respectively.

Landmark playoffs scenarios have in part been decided; however, final matchups will be decided following all competition on Feb. 21. The University of Scranton has clinched the No. 1 seed with a 12-1 conference record, while Moravian College has secured the No. 2 seed with a 10-3 Landmark record. Susquehanna and Juniata College both reflect 8-5 records against conference play. If the Crusaders win at Juniata, they lock into the third-place position and would travel to Moravian on Feb. 25 for the semifinal game. If Juniata defeats Susquehanna, the Crusaders would travel to Scranton as the No. 4 seed for a game on the same date.

Feb. 14 ("Pink Zone" Day): Susquehanna 56, USMMA 54 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. -- Freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) picked up her sixth double-double of the season to help lead Susquehanna University to an important 56-54 win over the visiting United States Merchant Marine Academy in a Landmark Conference game on “Pink Zone” Day at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Feb. 14.

Shober scored a team-high 13 points and pulled down a game-high 16 rebounds for Susquehanna (15-8, 7-5 Landmark). She made SU’s only three-pointer of the game while also collecting her team’s lone block and adding an assist and a steal. Sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) scored 12 points against the USMMA (12-11, 5-7 Landmark) and added two rebounds and three assists.

SU’s junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) came off the bench to score 10 points, dish out three assists and grab a board. Freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) scored four points and had five rebounds and a team-high two steals.

This game meant big things for the Landmark standings. Susquehanna is tied with Juniata College for third place in the conference. The University of Scranton and Moravian College sit first and second with 11-1 and 9-3 Landmark records, respectively. The USMMA and The Catholic University of America are tied for fifth place. The top four teams make the conference playoffs. Each team has two conference games remaining.

The USMMA made an impressive nine of 17 three-pointers, but SU won the rebounding battle, 36-24. Eighteen of SU’s rebounds were on the offensive end.

The Crusaders jumped out to a 12-0 lead before the USMMA finally scored to make it 12-2 with 13 minutes, 16 seconds left in the first half.

After the Crusaders took a 22-13 lead with 4:04 to play before halftime, the Mariners went on a 9-0 run to tie the score at 22 with 1:30 left until the break.

Watkins’ old-fashioned three-point play with 27 seconds left were the final points of the first period. SU led, 25-24, after 20 minutes.

The USMMA led by eight points three different times in the second half thanks largely to five second-period three-pointers, but foul trouble brought the Crusaders back into it.

A USMMA player fouled out with 5:56 still to play in the game, and two other Mariners were saddled with four fouls apiece. The foul-out was the USMMA’s 10th team foul, putting Susquehanna in an early double-bonus situation and forcing the Mariners to play cautiously.

The Crusaders’ sophomore forward/center Samantha Cartwright (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) made a layup with 5:20 to play to give SU its first lead since halftime, 48-47.

The USMMA responded with a free throw to tie it, but Watkins answered that with a jumper for the last lead of the game.

The final stages were not without their dramatics though, as the Mariners sank a layup to cut the Crusaders lead to 55-54 with 47 seconds remaining.

Cartwright was whistled for an offensive foul on the ensuing possession, and all of a sudden, the Mariners had a chance to take the lead. Following a timeout, the USMMA brought the ball back down the floor but was pressured into a turnover.

The Mariners sent Watkins to the line after that, where she hit the second of two free throws with 13 seconds left for the 56-54 final score.

The USMMA came back to misfire a layup, and Hughes grabbed the rebound and dribbled away the game’s final seconds.

Feb. 8: Susquehanna 63, Catholic 60 Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) tallied team-highs of 16 points, four assists and two blocks to help lead visiting Susquehanna University to a 63-60 win over The Catholic University of America in a Landmark Conference game at the Raymond A. Dufour Center on Feb. 8.

Sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) made the first of two Susquehanna (14-8, 6-5 Landmark) free throws with 11 seconds left to provide the final margin. After Barron missed the second, Catholic (12-10, 5-6 Landmark) grabbed the rebound and threw up a three-pointer at the buzzer, but it was off the mark to secure the Crusaders win.

Hughes added three rebounds and two steals for SU. Freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) and freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) both scored 12 points for the Crusaders. Butts also had an assist, a block and a game-high nine rebounds, and Shober had seven rebounds. Freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) picked up 10 points, three rebounds, an assist and two steals. Barron made a team-high three steals to go with seven points and three assists. She made a game-high two three-pointers.

The game was played even in almost every aspect, but Susquehanna held the early advantage on the scoreboard. The Crusaders led by as many as 12 points in the first half at 25-13 with 10 minutes, 13 seconds left before halftime before settling for a 29-24 lead at the intermission.

Both teams scored 35 points in the second half. Susquehanna led, 56-50, with 4:34 remaining in the game, but Catholic went on an 8-2 run following that to tie the score at 58 with just 1:27 left.

The contest came down to free throws, as Catholic took their 10th foul of the game with an infraction on Hughes with 1:02 left. Hughes then made the second of two free throws for a 59-58 Crusaders lead, and after Catholic missed a layup, a foul on Zigarelli led to two more free throws. Zigarelli made both for a 61-58 advantage with 34 ticks left on the clock.

Zigarelli made a huge steal on the ensuing Cardinals possession and was fouled. Back to the line, she hit the first of two shots for a 62-58 lead with 22 seconds remaining.

Catholic then fouled Barron to set the stage for the game's final dramatics.

Susquehanna, which came into the game in a four-way tie with Catholic, the United States Merchant Marine Academy and Juniata College for third place in the Landmark, is now tied with just Juniata for third. The top four teams make the conference playoffs.

Feb. 7: Susquehanna 71, Goucher 54 Box Score

TOWSON, Md. -- Freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) posted her fifth double-double this season with a team-high 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds to help lead visiting Susquehanna University to a 71-54 win over Goucher College in a Landmark Conference game at the Sports and Recreation Center on Feb. 7.

Shober made seven of 10 shots from the field for Susquehanna (13-8, 5-5 Landmark) and dished out three assists. Freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) scored 12 points against Goucher (5-14, 1-9 Landmark) and added six rebounds, two assists, two steals and a block. Freshman guard Korey McCaffrey (Millheim, Pa./Penns Valley Area) made a team-high four steals, handed out three assists, scored two points and grabbed a rebound in just 14 minutes of play.

Goucher shot terribly in the first half. The Gophers made just four of 25 field goals in the first period, including missing all nine of their three-pointers. Susquehanna held a 30-18 advantage at the break, which was too much for Goucher to overcome.

The Gophers did play better in the second half but so did the Crusaders. For the game, SU shot 42.9 percent to Goucher’s 23.7. The Crusaders owned the boards, outrebounding Goucher, 54-36.

Goucher’s only lead came at 1-0 just 57 seconds into the first half. The score was tied once in the game when the two teams were knotted at 4 with 15 minutes, 31 seconds to play before the break. SU scored the next six points and never looked back.

The Crusaders took an 11-point lead at 28-17 with 19 seconds to play in the first half and never led by less than double digits the rest of the way. Susquehanna led by as many as 22 points at 50-28 with 11:24 left in the game for its biggest lead.

Susquehanna entered the game in a three-way tie for the fourth and final playoffs spot in the Landmark with the United States Merchant Marine Academy and Juniata College. The Crusaders are now in a four-way tie for third place with the USMMA, Juniata and The Catholic University of America.

Jan. 31: Susquehanna 53, #25 Scranton 60 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University’s sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) registered a team-high 14 points and added three assists to lead the host Crusaders; however, Susquehanna fell to No. 25 The University of Scranton, 60–53, in a Landmark Conference game at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Jan. 31.

Junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) dropped nine points and pulled down six rebounds, and freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) tallied eight points and a game-high four assists for Susquehanna (12–8, 4–5 Landmark).

Despite marginally outscoring Scranton (15–4, 8–1 Landmark), 32–30, in the second half, the Crusaders were unable to recover from the nine-point deficit they faced at the break.

Scranton jumped off to a strong 5–0 lead and would never look back. Although Susquehanna responded with a pair of points from sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill), the Royals answered with seven straight points to lead by as many as 10 only four minutes into the game.

The Orange and Maroon fought to within five on three separate occasions before the visiting squad would take a 30–21 advantage into the locker room at the half.

The Lady Royals executed on back-to-back possessions to take a double-digit advantage just merely three minutes into the second half. Both teams exchanged multiple baskets, as Scranton held a steady gap before the Crusaders brought the game to within four on a pair of Zigarelli free throws with just 2 minutes, 7 seconds remaining in the game.

Scranton travelled down the floor and hit a layup before scrapping up a defensive rebound in Crusaders territory and sinking back-to-back foul shots to maintain a steady eight-point cushion. In the final minute of play, the Crusaders twice returned the game to a two-possession match, but the Lady Royals were able to hold off the hungry home-court team for the win.

Scranton outrebounded the Crusaders, 36–30, and shot 42 percent from the field to the Crusaders’ 37.5 percent, although Susquehanna looked better from the charity stripe, sinking 75 percent of their free throws compared to the 66.7 percent of Scranton.

Jan. 30: Susquehanna 65, #16 Moravian 69 (OT) Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University’s freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) registered her fourth double-double of the season with a team-high 20 points and a game-high 10 rebounds amidst a tough 69–65 overtime loss to visiting No. 16 Moravian College in a Landmark Conference game at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Jan. 30.

Moravian (17–2, 7–1 Landmark) outscored Susquehanna (12–7, 4–4 Landmark), 9–5, in the third period of play to seal the victory and hand the Crusaders their first loss of the season at home.

Susquehanna’s sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) tallied the game-high in assists with 10.

In a game that was tied on 11 separate occasions, it was Moravian that pulled through in the five-minute overtime period to win their second past-regulation game of the season.

Moravian hit a three-pointer on the visitors’ first possession of overtime that put the Greyhounds ahead for good. The following play, a jumper by freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) brought the Crusaders to within one; however, Moravian answered with another three to go up by four points.

Susquehanna junior forward Samantha Jansson (Cumbola, Pa./Nativity B.V.M.) dropped a pair of points on the following possession, but the Greyhounds responded with a jumper of their own to maintain a two-possession lead. With 48 seconds remaining, Zigarelli hit one of two from the charity stripe to put the Crusaders within three, but it was the Greyhounds’ foul shot with 12 seconds lingering on the clock that ultimately reflected the final score.

The Crusaders jumped off to a strong start, leading by as many as nine points in the first half when freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) hit the back end of a pair of free throws with 3 minutes, 52 seconds remaining in the half. The Greyhounds responded with eight straight points to bring the game to within one. A field goal by junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) resulted in a Crusaders four-point lead at the half, 32–28.

A Jansson jumper opened the second half, but the Greyhounds came back to tie the game with 17:28 remaining in regulation. The advantage would bounce back-and-forth numerous times in the second, prior to the game knotting for the 10th time with 2:02 left when Shober hit the first of a pair of free throws. The Crusaders led by one following the conversion of Shober’s second before a Moravian player drained a three for the visiting squad to make it a two-point game.

Following a Susquehanna timeout, Zigarelli found Shober in the paint good for two with 11 seconds remaining on the clock before Barron would scrap for a crucial steal in Greyhounds territory with two seconds left to send the game into overtime.

SU shot 44.6 percent from the field, compared to Moravian’s 42.9 percent.

Jan. 25: Susquehanna 67, Goucher 53 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University’s sophomore forward/center Samantha Cartwright (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) registered her first double-double of the season with a team-high 12 points and a game-high 12 rebounds and two blocks in just 20 minutes to help the Crusaders cruise past visiting Goucher College, 67–53, in a Landmark Conference game at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Jan. 25.

Cartwright also had one assist for SU (12–6, 4–3 Landmark), which improved to 8–0 at home this season. Junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) scored 10 points against Goucher (5–11, 1–6 Landmark) on the strength of a team-high two three-pointers and added three rebounds, two assists and a steal. SU shared the wealth, as all 16 Crusaders appeared in the game.

Susquehanna controlled the flow of the game throughout the contest. The Gophers took their only lead of the game after a jumper made it 5–3 just 3 minutes, 55 seconds into the first half.

SU responded with a devastating 22–4 run after that, capped off by back-to-back Watkins three-pointers that made it 25–9 with 7:57 to play in the first period. Sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) assisted on both of those three-balls.

The Crusaders never looked back from there and led by as many as 16 points twice more in the first half on their way to a 36–20 advantage at the break.

Goucher was never truly in the game in the second half, as SU led by at least 13 points the rest of the way. A pair of Watkins free throws gave the Crusaders their biggest lead of the game at 60–37 with just 6:28 remaining.

Jan. 24: Susquehanna 78, Catholic 49 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University’s freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic), who registered a game-high 23 points, was joined by two other host Crusaders scoring double digits in a 78–49 Landmark Conference victory over The Catholic University of America at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Jan. 24.

A strong Susquehanna (11–6, 3–3 Landmark) defense held all Catholic (10–7, 3–3 Landmark) players to single digits, including the conference’s leading scorer, who put up only nine points to lead the Cardinals.

In addition to being successful on 10 of 11 field goals, Shober added six rebounds, three steals and an assist. Freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) tallied 10 points for the Orange and Maroon and made three blocks and four steals, both of which were game-high performances. She also added six rebounds and four assists. Freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) tallied 11 points and five boards for the win and added a block.

Catholic hit a jumper to knot the game for the fourth time in less than seven minutes of play in the first half before Butts hit a pair of free throws, backed by a Catholic turnover, a Zigarelli steal and a pair of SU points. Susquehanna never looked back.

The Crusaders led by as many as 20 points in the first half when Shober sunk a layup on an assist by sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) with 1 minute, 19 seconds of play remaining. They held a commanding 44–25 advantage at the break.

Susquehanna wasted no time in the second half, as four players assisted in throwing down 10 unanswered points before the Cardinals managed their first points of the half with 16:18 remaining on a good jumper.  The visitors came within 21 points with under six minutes of play lingering; however, the game was too far gone for a Cardinals comeback.

With each face of the 16-member team making an appearance in the game, the Crusaders held a dominant 32-point lead following a jump shot by freshman guard/forward Alyssa Kraus (Easton, Pa./Notre Dame HS) before claiming victory.  

Susquehanna dominated the hardwood, shooting 54.2 percent from the floor and 63.2 percent from the free throw-line, compared to Catholic’s 37 and 42.9 percents, respectively. Each team hit an even 25 percent from beyond the arc.

Jan. 17: Susquehanna 66, USMMA 77 Box Score

KINGS POINT, N.Y. — Susquehanna University’s freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) registered team-highs of 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists to go with a steal and the game’s lone block, but the visiting Crusaders lost to the United States Merchant Marine Academy, 77–66, in a Landmark Conference game at James W. Liebertz Gymnasium on Jan. 17.

Sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) scored 13 points for Susquehanna (10–6, 2–3 Landmark) and added three rebounds. Junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) scored 11 points against the USMMA (8–6, 3–2 Landmark) on the strength of 9-for-10 free-throw shooting and had three boards, an assist and two steals.

The teams played rather evenly in the first half with the USMMA holding a 29–27 lead at halftime. The Crusaders scored the first two points of the second half to tie it, but the Mariners scored the next eight points, capped by a traditional three-point play, to take a 37–29 lead with 17 minutes, 27 seconds still to play.

Hughes drained a three following that to make the score 37–32, but two Mariners free throws bumped the lead back out to 39–32 with 15:53 left.

It was the USMMA's post-presence and free-throw shooting that would prove to be the story. Two of its top scorers in the game combined to make 12 of 15 shots from the line in the final period. The Mariners made 36 of 45 during the entire afternoon.

The USMMA eventually led by as many as 18 points twice in the final frame. The Crusaders kept battling though and clawed to within five points twice after that, the last time coming with 1:46 to play after a pair of free throws from Watkins.

Susquehanna tried to get back in it by fouling, but the Mariners sunk their last seven free throws to end it.

The teams combined to take 56 fouls.

Jan. 16: Susquehanna 68, Drew 48 Box Score

MADISON, N.J. — Susquehanna University's freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) registered her third double-double of the season while making all five of her field goals and all four of her free throws, and visiting Susquehanna downed Drew University, 68–48, in a Landmark Conference game at Baldwin Gymnasium on Jan. 16.

Shober posted game-highs of 14 points and 10 rebounds to go with a block, a team-high three assists and a game-high three steals. Junior forward Samantha Jansson (Cumbola, Pa./Nativity B.V.M.) was right behind Shober with 13 points for Susquehanna (10–5, 2–2 Landmark). Jansson added two rebounds, two assists and a steal. Freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) and sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) both tallied 11 points and an assist against Drew (7–6, 1–3 Landmark). Zigarelli grabbed three boards and had one block and one steal, and Hughes picked up a rebound. All 16 SU players appeared in the game.

Drew sunk a three-pointer on the first shot of the game to go up, 3–0, 57 seconds into the first half, but that would be the last time that the Rangers would lead. SU came back down the floor to tie it with a Jansson three-pointer, and the Crusaders never looked back.

Susquehanna did have to work for it though, as a tightly played first period spelled just a 32–31 Crusaders lead at the break.

The second half was a very different story. SU opened the final period on a 12–2 run, capped by a Shober-to-Hughes layup with 14 minutes, 3 seconds left. Susquehanna built on that momentum the rest of the way and led by as many as 21 points two times in the second half. Drew was held to only 17 points in the last 20 minutes on just 7-for-25 shooting.

The Crusaders made seven steals in the second half to just one for the Rangers and held a 20–13 advantage in rebounds in those final 20 minutes.

For the game, SU shot 56 percent to Drew's 40.4.

Jan. 10: Susquehanna 62, #18 Moravian 73 Box Score

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Susquehanna University's sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) tied for the game-high with 14 points and added three rebounds and two assists, but visiting Susquehanna fell to nationally ranked No. 18 Moravian College, 73–62, in a Landmark Conference game at Johnston Hall on Jan. 10.

Moravian (12–1, 3–0 Landmark) led from start to finish. Susquehanna (9–5, 1–2 Landmark) trailed, 35–27, at halftime and by as many as 18 points three different times in the second half.

SU's freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) pulled down a team-high seven rebounds, scored 12 points and had two assists, a block and a steal. Sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) was other Crusader scoring in double figures. Barron tallied 11 points, two boards, two steals and a team-high three assists. She made a game-high two three-pointers.

Moravian jumped out to leads of 10–2 and 14–4 in the first half and never looked back. The Greyhounds opened the second half on a 9–0 run.

Jan. 9: Susquehanna 51, Scranton 61 Box Score

SCRANTON, Pa. — Susquehanna University's junior forward Samantha Jansson (Cumbola, Pa./Nativity B.V.M.) scored a team-high 13 points, but visiting Susquehanna fell to The University of Scranton, 61–51, in a Landmark Conference game at John Long Center on Jan. 9.

Jansson made four of six field goals for Susquehanna (9–4, 1–1 Landmark), including her lone three-point attempt, and went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line. She also had an assist. Freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) scored nine points and added a team-high six rebounds and a game-high two blocks against Scranton (8–4, 1–1 Landmark).

SU's sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) scored nine points, grabbed two rebounds, handed out three assists and blocked a shot. Sophomore guard Nikki Schneck (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) poured in six points and added two rebounds and a team-high three steals.

The first half was either team's game as the lead changed hands seven times. Scranton did lead by four points five times in the first period, but when the dust settled, Susquehanna held a 29–28 lead at halftime.

The second half saw more even play until Scranton went on a 14–1 run that was culminated by a layup with and a 48–38 Lady Royals lead with 9 minutes, 12 seconds left in the game.

Hughes responded immediately with a three-pointer to cut the lead to 48–41, but Scranton answered with a demoralizing three-pointer of its own that bumped the score back out to 51–41 with 8:44 left. The Crusaders put up a bevy of three-point shots in an attempt to get back in it but missed their last six attempts of the game from beyond the arc.

Hughes' layup with 2:26 remaining drew the score to just 53–49, but the Lady Royals' defense and another three-pointer highlighted a late 8–0 run that essentially ended the game.

Jan. 4 (Lady Monarch Classic consolation game): Susquehanna 71, Rutgers–Camden 29 Box Score

WILKES–BARRE, Pa. — Susquehanna University’s sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) came off the bench to score a game-high 14 points added two assists and a rebound to help lead Susquehanna to a dominating 71–29 neutral-site non-conference win over Rutgers University–Camden in the consolation game of the 2009 Lady Monarch Classic at King’s College (Pa.)’s Scandlon Gymnasium on Jan. 4.

Hughes did all of her damage in just 17 minutes of play. All 16 members of the Susquehanna (9–3 overall) team appeared in the game, and none of them played more than 19 minutes. Nonetheless, four Crusaders scored in double figures against Rutgers–Camden (0–10 overall), as SU won the game by easily its largest margin of the season and largest since a 98–23 win over the visiting United States Merchant Marine Academy on Nov. 23, 2002.

Camden was never in the game. Susquehanna's freshman forward/center and all–tournament team member Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) scored the game’s first three points, and her team never looked back. The Scarlet Raptors never led nor tied the score. SU took a 33–13 lead into halftime, and things got worse in the second half. The 42-point margin of victory was the largest lead of the day.

Susquehanna’s freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) and Butts both scored 11 points and made a steal. Shober added five rebounds, three assists and a block, and Butts grabbed two boards. Junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) scored 10 points and added a rebound, an assist and a block. Freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) pulled down a game-high eight rebounds to go with six points, two assists, a block and a steal.

Camden missed all 10 of its three-point tries and shot just 20.3 percent overall from the field. Susquehanna, meanwhile, made an impressive 63.3 percent of its field goals, including three of five three-pointers.

The Crusaders held a 44–25 rebounding advantage.

Jan. 3 (Lady Monarch Classic first round): Susquehanna 54, Albright 74 Box Score

WILKES–BARRE, Pa. — Susquehanna University’s freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) scored a team-high 13 points and added two rebounds, but Susquehanna fell, 74–54, to Albright College in a neutral-site non-conference game in the first round of the 2009 Lady Monarch Classic at King’s College (Pa.)’s Scandlon Gymnasium on Jan. 3.

Susquehanna (8–3 overall) led, 3–2, just 2 minutes, 40 seconds into the game, but would never lead nor tie the game again after that. Albright (7–4 overall) went on a 7–0 run to end the second half and led, 35–21, at halftime to stake its largest lead of the game to that point. The Lady Lions steadily built on that lead and went up by as many as 28 points late in the second half.

Freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) had a good game for the Crusaders. Zigarelli registered 10 points, a team-high five rebounds, an assist, a block and two steals.

The Crusaders will play in the 2009 Lady Monarch Classic consolation game on Sunday, Jan. 4, at 12 p.m. against the loser of the tournament's other first-round game between Rutgers University–Camden and King’s. Albright will play the winner of the Rutgers–Camden-King’s game at 2 p.m. on Sunday in the championship game.

The Camden-King’s game is being played at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3.

Dec. 18: Susquehanna 59, Richard Stockton 61 Box Score

POMONA, N.J. — Susquehanna University’s sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) scored a game-high 17 points and added four rebounds and two blocks, but visiting Susquehanna fell, 61–59, to The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey in a non-conference game at The Sports Center on Dec. 18.

Susquehanna (8–2 overall) led, 57–56, after Hughes’ jumper with 54 seconds left in the game, but Richard Stockton (2–7 overall) scored the next four points on a layup, steal and another layup for the final lead of the game.

Hughes made seven of 13 field goals, and teammate and freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) made five of eight shots from the field as part of 14 points. Zigarelli had a fine all-around game as she also posted six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and a team-high two steals. She went 4-for-5 from the free-throw line for the first miss from the charity stripe of her collegiate career. She is 18-for-19 from there this season.

SU’s freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) scored six points, made a steal and pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) dished out a game-high four assists, scored three points and cleaned up two boards.

Momentum changed as often as the lead in the first half, as neither team led by more than three points in the first 20 minutes. SU held its biggest lead of the game at halftime, 31–28.

Richard Stockton opened the second half on an 11–2 run though for a 39–33 difference with 15 minutes, 16 seconds left for its biggest lead of the day. The Ospreys led by six points three times, the last of which at 45–39 with 9:38 remaining.

Susquehanna kept hanging around, and went on a 9–3 run following that to tie the game at 48 with 6:19 to play.  SU tied the score for the 12th and final time when Hughes sunk a jumper to make it 51–51 with 5:15 left.

The tight play that continued set the stage for Hughes’ last-minute jumper and Richard Stockton’s quick response. Following the back-to-back layups and a timeout for each team, SU missed a three-pointer and then took a foul.

The Ospreys player hit one of the two ensuing free throws, and SU followed with another missed three-pointer and a missed layup. Shober grabbed the important offensive rebound after the missed layup though and was fouled with four seconds to play. She made both free throws, but SU never got the ball back in the final four seconds nor could foul to prolong the game.

Dec. 13: Susquehanna 78, Baptist Bible 67 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University’s junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) scored a team-high 16 points and added seven rebounds, three assists and a team-high three steals to help lead Susquehanna to a 78–67 non-conference win over visiting Baptist Bible College at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Dec. 13.

Watkins made two three-pointers on three attempts and all eight of her free throws. She was one of four Susquehanna (8–1 overall) players scoring in double-figures against Baptist Bible (0–6 overall). Freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic), sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) and junior forward Samantha Jansson (Cumbola, Pa./Nativity B.V.M.) scored 15, 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Shober added six rebounds, a block and a steal. Hughes had one rebound, two assists and a steal. Jansson grabbed two boards, dished out three assists and made a steal.

SU’s sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) collected a game-high five assists, scored nine points and pulled down three rebounds. Sophomore forward/center Samantha Cartwright (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) had a fine all-around game of four points, two assists, a steal, a team-high eight rebounds and a game-high two blocks in just 12 minutes.

Despite three Baptist Bible players fouling out, the Defenders played only eight players. Susquehanna, meanwhile, played its entire roster (16 players).

The Crusaders managed to always stay a step ahead of Baptist Bible, as they never trailed. The score was tied four times though, the last time coming 3 minutes, 11 seconds into the second half when the Defenders knotted the game at 34 with a three-pointer.

Susquehanna led by as many as nine points in the first half, but Baptist Bible was persistent, making four three-pointers in the first 20 minutes and forcing 14 first-half turnovers to keep the game close, 30–27, at halftime.

The Crusaders controlled play after the tie score in the second half, even jumping out to a 16-point lead at 65–49 with 6:18 left.

Baptist Bible put together an impressive 11–0 run after that though to get things tight again. A Defenders player sunk the second of two free throws to draw the score to 65–60 with just 4:06 to play.

Susquehanna responded with a timely 6–0 run to start to put the game on ice. Shober scored the game’s next four points, and Watkins added two free throws to push the game back out to 71–60 with 2:35 remaining.

Baptist Bible starting fouling with under 1:30 left in attempt to get back in the game, but Susquehanna made enough free throws down the stretch to put the Defenders away.

Dec. 6: Susquehanna 59, Juniata 55 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Trailing by two points, Susquehanna University junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) drew a charge with 1 minute, 12 seconds remaining in the game to give Susquehanna possession of the ball and lead to a late-game comeback for a 59–55 win over visiting Juniata College in both teams’ 2008–09 Landmark Conference opener at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Dec. 6.

Freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) dropped a pair of free throws with 55 seconds remaining to tie the game and help Susquehanna (7–1, 1–0 Landmark) improve to 42–21 in its all-time series against Juniata (3–5, 0–1 Landmark).

Moments after Shober tied the game, a steal by sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) led to a Watkins layup off an assist from sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area), who led Susquehanna with 13 points and five assists to go with five rebounds and a steal.

Tallying the last of her 12 points, Hughes pulled down a defensive rebound on the following play before sinking two from the charity stripe to end the game’s scoring.

Juniata jumped ahead, 5–0, in the opening minutes of the game before the Crusaders responded with nine unanswered points. Shober dished out one of her three assists on a Barron three-pointer to knot the game at 5. Barron would sink an additional three shots from behind the arc to go 4-for-6 for the game. The four three-pointers tie for the fourth-most in a single game in school history.  

Susquehanna held a steady advantage until Juniata hit a jumper with 6:27 remaining in the second half to give the Eagles a one-point lead. The visiting squad hit back-to-back jumpers to take a five-point lead with just 5:26 of play remaining. After exchanging baskets, the Orange and Maroon returned to dominance and scored nine straight to earn the victory.

Shober grabbed a team-high six boards and added seven points and a game-high three blocks, while freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) and Watkins each made significant contributions for the Crusaders, scoring nine and six points and snatching two and five rebounds, respectively.

Dec. 2: Susquehanna 55, Lycoming 78 Box Score

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Susquehanna University's freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) picked up her second double-double this season with 10 points and a game-high 11 rebounds, but Susquehanna lost, 78–55, to host Lycoming College in a non-conference game at Lamade Gymnasium on Dec. 2.

Freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) was the other Susquehanna (6–1 overall) player in double figures in rebounds with 10, as the Crusaders outrebounded Lycoming (4–1 overall), 45–32.

The Warriors, though, shot 57.1 percent from the floor to Susquehanna's 30.9 percent.

Shober also blocked a shot and made two steals, and Zigarelli scored eight points and added a block and an assist. SU's sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) also scored eight points and had three rebounds. Sophomore forward/center Samantha Cartwright (Cranford, N.J./Cranford) scored seven points and collected six boards. Sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) scored six points and added two steals, a rebound and a team-high four assists.

The game was never truly close, as Lycoming jumped out to an 8–0 lead on the strength of two three-pointers and led at the half, 38–21. The Warriors led by as many as 28 points twice in the second half.

The loss snaps Susquehanna's six-game winning streak to start the season.

Nov. 29: Susquehanna 74, Neumann 58 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University's freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) registered the first double-double of her collegiate career by leading all players with 15 points and adding a team-high 10 rebounds and a blocked shot to help Susquehanna to a 74–58 non-conference win over Neumann College at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Nov. 29.

Sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) tied for the game-high with four assists for Susquehanna (6–0 overall). Barron also scored 10 points on the strength of a team-high two three-pointers, pulled down three rebounds and made a steal. Junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) also handed out four assists against Neumann (2–3 overall). Watkins added 11 points, two rebounds and a steal.

SU's sophomore guard Nikki Schneck (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) came off the bench to also score 11 points. Schneck added four rebounds and two assists. Freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) made a game-high four steals, handed out an assist, scored seven points and grabbed eight boards. Freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) scored eight points off the bench and had one assist, one steal and five boards. Zigarelli went 2-for-2 from the free-throw line to stay perfect there this year at 14-for-14.

Susquehanna trailed 1–0 just 18 seconds into the first half but was never tied nor trailed again after taking a 2–1 lead immediately after.

The Crusaders established their largest lead of the first half at 34–21 after a Barron three-pointer with 3 minutes, 20 seconds left before the break, but the Knights finished the half on a 7–2 run to keep the game somewhat close, 36–28, at intermission.

Neumann kept chipping away at the Susquehanna lead until late in the second half. The Knights drew the score to within two four times in the second half, but SU responded each time with at least the next bucket. Schneck demoralized Neumann with 14:31 left in the game with a big three-pointer to push the lead back out to five, and Shober did it again with a traditional three-point play, scoring on a layup and a free throw after an offensive rebound with 7:28 left.

The Knights started fouling with under three minutes left in an attempt to prolong the game, but Susquehanna made 11 of 12 free throws down the stretch to put the contest way and stay undefeated in a young season. The 16-point margin of victory was the biggest gap in the score.

Neumann hurt itself by making only 20 of 35 shots from the charity stripe for an average of 57.1 percent.

Nov. 23 (Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament championship game): Susquehanna 78, McDaniel 68 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University's freshman guard/forward and tournament MVP Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) did a bit of it all by scoring six points, grabbing a team-high seven rebounds, and adding an assist, a steal and a game-high three blocked shots to help lead Susquehanna to its second straight tournament title this season with a 78–68 non-conference win over visiting McDaniel College in the 2008 Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament championship game at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Nov. 23.

Zigarelli went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line against McDaniel (1–1 overall) to finish 12-for-12 from the stripe in the two-day tournament. Susquehanna (5–0 overall) was led in scoring by 15 points from both freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) and junior forward Samantha Jansson (Cumbola, Pa./Nativity B.V.M.). Butts also tallied three rebounds, two blocks and a steal. Jansson added two rebounds, an assist and a steal.

SU's sophomore guard and all–tournament team member Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) scored 13 points on the strength of 71.4-percent shooting, dished out a game-high six assists, blocked a shot and pulled down six boards. Sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) scored eight points, thanks largely to a team-high two three-pointers, and also had four assists, two rebounds and a team-high two steals. Junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) contributed nine points, five assists, two rebounds and a steal.

McDaniel led by as many as seven points twice in the first half, the last time with 10 minutes, 33 seconds left before halftime. But Susquehanna wouldn't go away, forcing a tie score before the break four times after that. The Crusaders even led by three at 32–29 after a Hughes free throw and a Butts jumper with 2:21 and 1:52 remaining in the first half, respectively. McDaniel scored the last four points of the half though for a 33–32 Green Terror lead at intermission.

SU took the lead back on a Hughes jumper 2:09 into the second half and never trailed or was tied again. The Crusaders lead did slip to just 42–41 after a McDaniel jumper with 14:35 remaining, but Barron responded immediately with a big three-pointer for some breathing room at 45–41.

The Crusaders took off after that, substituting size-for-size the rest of the way and leading by as many as 12 after two Zigarelli free throws with 4:41 left.

The Green Terror managed to get within five with 1:23 to play and again with 1:00 left, but Susquehanna answered each time with two important free throws. SU made 11 of 12 free throws in the final 2:07 to prevent any chance at a comeback.

Nov. 22 (Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament first round): Susquehanna 72, Alfred 52 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Susquehanna University's freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) scored a game-high 17 points and added seven rebounds and an assist to help lead Susquehanna to a 72–52 non-conference win over visiting Alfred University in the in the first round of the 2008 Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Nov. 22.

Five of Zigarelli's rebounds were on the offensive side of the ball. She shot 66.7 percent from the floor, including 1-for-1 from three-point range, and made all eight of her free throws.

Freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) shot 75 percent from the floor and went 4-for-4 from the free-throw line for 16 points for SU (4–0 overall). Shober also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds, blocked a game-high three shots and made two steals against Alfred (2–1 overall). Junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) was the other Crusaders player in double figures. Watkins scored 12 points, dished out four assists, blocked a shot, made two steals and pulled down a rebound.

Sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) made a game-high three shots from beyond the arc for nine points and added four assists and two boards for SU. Sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) dropped in eight points and tallied two rebounds and a game-high three steals.

The game was actually tight early, and Alfred held a 23–22 lead with 6 minutes, 37 seconds left in the first half. SU led by just two at 35–33 with 1:31 to play before halftime, but back-to-back three-pointers by Barron and Watkins, respectively, accounted for a 41–33 Crusaders lead at the break.

Shober opened the second half with a layup to put SU up by 10, and the rout was on. Ten points was as close as the Saxons would get the rest of the way. The 20-point margin of victory was the Crusaders' largest lead of the night.

Susquehanna held a 38–28 advantage in rebounds.

SU plays McDaniel College on Sunday, Nov. 23, in the 2008 Pepsi/Weis Markets Tip-Off Tournament championship game at 3 p.m. McDaniel defeated Rutgers University–Newark, 65–30, on Nov. 22 to advance to the tournament final.

Rutgers–Newark and Alfred play in the tournament consolation game on Sunday at 1 p.m.

Nov. 19: Susquehanna 62, Wilkes 50 Box Score

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — Freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) (pictured) registered a game-high 16 points and two blocks and added four rebounds, two steals and an assist to help lead Susquehanna University to a 62–50 non-conference win over visiting Wilkes University at Orlando W. Houts Gymnasium on Nov. 19.

Susquehanna (3–0 overall) celebrated its 2008–09 home opener by outrebounding Wilkes (2–1 overall), 46–35, and turning the ball over only 11 times to the Colonels' 20.

SU shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half to pull away in a game that was never close. The Crusaders never trailed and led by as many 16 twice in the second half after building a 23–13 lead at halftime. The last time that the game was tied was at 2–2 just 3 minutes, 27 seconds into the first half.

SU's sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) led all players with six assists and six steals and picked up nine points and four rebounds. Sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) dropped in 10 points and added four rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) grabbed a team-high six rebounds for the Crusaders, scored six points and tallied two steals and an assist. Junior forward Samantha Jansson (Cumbola, Pa./Nativity B.V.M.) and sophomore guard Nikki Schneck (Cresco, Pa./Pocono Mountain East) both scored seven points and dished out an assist. Jansson had five rebounds, while Schneck had one.

For the game, Susquehanna shot 40.4 percent. Wilkes shot 30.4 percent overall, including just 24 percent in the first half.

Nov. 16 (Cherry Cove/Seahawk Tip-Off Tournament championship game): Susquehanna 62, St. Mary's (Md.) 55 Box Score

ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. — All-tournament team honoree and freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) registered a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds and added two assists and the game's only block to lead visiting Susquehanna University to a 62–55 non-conference win over St. Mary's College of Maryland in the championship game of the Cherry Cove/Seahawk Tip-Off Tournament at ARC Arena on Nov. 16.

Susquehanna (2–0 overall) scored its last nine points of the game from the free-throw line, including five straight free-throw buckets from sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area), to pull away late from St. Mary's (1–1 overall).

Barron was 7-for-8 from the charity stripe as part of a 10-point day. She also handed out a game-high six assists, grabbed four rebounds and made two steals.

SU's sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) matched Shober's 12 points. Hughes also posted six rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Junior forward Samantha Jansson (Cumbola, Pa./Nativity B.V.M.) scored seven points, pulled down five rebounds and caused a steal.

All-tournament team member and junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) also had five boards and a steal for the Crusaders. Watkins scored five points.

Susquehanna led by as many as five points twice in the first half but settled for a 30–30 tie at halftime. The Seahawks couldn't get on track in the second half as SU never trailed the rest of the way.

The Crusaders went up by eight four times in the second, the last of which came with 5 minutes, 46 seconds to play, but the lead began to slip away and dwindled to just one when St. Mary's hit a big three-pointer with 3:27 left to make the score 51–50.

Jansson responded with a jumper and two free throws after that to give SU some breathing room, and St. Mary's was forced to foul to try to get back in it.

Shober made two straight free throws, and Barron hit five of six to ice it, including the last one with eight seconds left to make the score a three-possession difference.

Nov. 15 (Cherry Cove/Seahawk Tip-Off Tournament first round): Susquehanna 65, FDU-Florham 49 Box Score

ST. MARY’S CITY, Md. — A young Susquehanna women’s basketball team debuted its 2008–09 season in style with a 65–49 come-from-behind non-conference victory over Fairleigh Dickinson University at Florham in the first round of the 2008 Cherry Cove/Seahawk Tip-Off Tournament at St. Mary’s College of Maryland's ARC Arena on Nov. 15.

A senior-less Susquehanna (1–0 overall) squad trailed, 24–22, at the half before outscoring FDU–Florham (0–1 overall), 43–25, in the second stint of play to capture the first win of their 2008–09 campaign.

The Crusaders first got on the board with 17 minutes, 23 seconds left in the first half on an good three-pointer from junior guard Ashley Watkins (La Habra Heights, Calif./Rosary) to put themselves ahead, 3–2. The Devils responded with an eight-point run to take a commanding 10–3 lead with 13:03 left. The Devils’ multiple-possession margin remained through much of the first half.

With 3:58 left in the half, freshman forward/center Libby Shober (Barnesville, Pa./Marian Catholic) pulled down a missed Devils free throw that led to a jumper by sophomore guard Erika Barron (Tamaqua, Pa./Tamaqua Area) to bring the Orange and Maroon within four. Sophomore guard Rachael Hughes (Gordon, Pa./North Schuylkill) capitalized on Florham’s next possession to tally one of her two steals of the night which led to a Shober layup, bringing the Crusaders within two.

Watkins was next to score, converting on both of her charity-stripe shots to tie the game with 2:35 of play remaining in the half. The game would knot twice more before the Devils took a 24–22 lead into the locker room at the half.

Stepping back on the court, a revitalized Susquehanna wasted little time before gaining control of the game for good. The teams exchanged successful jump shots, tying the game in the first minute of the second half for the fourth and fifth time of the game. A Shober layup and free throw at 17:31 put the Crusaders ahead to stay, 28–26.

Susquehanna would not look back, dominating both the scoreboard and backboard alike, to steadily pull away. The Devils attempted to regain control of the game with a four-point run that ended with 11:57 left when freshman forward Jennifer Butts (Frackville, Pa./North Schuylkill) was fouled on a good layup, earning a three-point play to give Susquehanna a 38–32 advantage.

In a game riddled with fouls, the Crusaders shot 81.3 percent from the free-throw line in the second half to aid in the comeback. Thirty-seven free throws were awarded in the second half alone.

Watkins led the Crusaders with 17 points, while Hughes followed with 10. Both Shober and Butts premiered their collegiate careers with nine points and six rebounds alike. Junior forward Samantha Jansson (Cumbola, Pa./Nativity B.V.M.) and freshman guard/forward Jessica Zigarelli (Warren, N.J./Watchung Hills Regional) also pulled down six rebounds apiece, while Barron grabbed five. Barron also dished out a game-high three assists, made a black and two steals.