Bucknell Basketball improved to 2-0 this past Saturday at home after another decisive win versus Niagara 68-50. Another great offensive showing from the Bison was on display as they continue to improve.

The Bison pushed hard to establish an inside presence early with Alex Timmermann ’23 and Andre Screen ’24 leading in points. Bucknell leaned on high to low feeds into the post for Screen and let him create a high percentage shot with his footwork. The seven-footer dominated inside, leading to 15 points on 7-10 shooting, as well as earning four rebounds. Timmermann also contributed with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Bucknell proved again they can get hot from the outside, hitting transition three after transition three and a swarming defensive effort that led to six steals. The Orange and Blue shot 46.7 percent from three-point range on 15 attempts. They also out-rebounded Niagara 34-26.

The first half wasn’t the prettiest for the Bison, as Bucknell was clinging onto a 27-23 lead at half.

After the second half began, however, the Bison looked as sharp as ever. They switched off pick-and-rolls on defense much more efficiently and forced turnovers to turn into transition offense, outscoring the Purple Eagles 41-27 in the second half.

Two other Bison scored in double figures other than Screen and Timmermann. Xander Rice ’23 logged 14 points on 14 shots, and Elvin Edmonds IV ’25 gave his team 12 points and five assists on 5-9 shooting.

“One of our main focuses is pounding the ball inside. [Timmermann] and I have to establish the paint presence early so that we can play inside out,” Screen said. 

In their match on Tuesday against St. Peters, their record fell to 2-1 — with the final score being 82-71 in favor of the Peacocks. 

Rice was the points leader of the day, earning 19 points and six assists. Screen and Timmerman proved themselves skillful again by both scoring in the double digits as well, with Screen contributing 18 points and Timmerman scoring 14. 

The Bison actually outshot the Peacocks 54.1 percent to 51.6 percent, was only punished with eight fouls and outscored their opponents in free throws, 17-5, but it was the opportunities on rebounds that ultimately decided their fate. 

The Bison will compete again this weekend in the Greenlight Sunshine Slam, facing Georgia, Presbyterian and either University of Albany or Austin Peay. There, the Bison hope to earn more wins.