As Bucknell students return to campus, Women’s Basketball continues to shine on the court. Despite a close loss to Navy the weekend prior, the Bison sought Patriot League redemption Wednesday night against Colgate. Ashley Sofilkanich ’27 led the charge with a historic game, scoring 44 points to lead them to a 71-67 overtime win.
The Orange and Blue kept a close game, with neither team leading by more than five points at any time. As they traded the lead back and forth 23 times and tied 12, an overtime period loomed over their heads.
Sofilkanich contributed 10 points in the first quarter. The Bison led 14-9 before a Colgate buzzer-beater ended the period, making it 14-11 going into the second quarter. Colgate caught onto Sofilkanich’s hot hand and kept her quiet for most of the second quarter, limiting her to four points. Isabella King ’25 assumed the position and scored five points for the Bison. Her three-pointer also puts her at eight all-time in Bucknell history.
Colgate sped things up in the third quarter, taking back the lead three times. Sofilkanich managed to pull off another four points in the third. As the fourth quarter went on, the Raiders were unable to stop the sophomore, who put up 15 more points on pivot foot layups. Despite Sofilkanich’s efforts, the Bison trailed Colgate until the clock read 4:29. They pulled ahead 57-52 as the second counted down but Colgate stayed close. Sofilkanich added a layup in addition to a foul shot from Sophia Sabino ’25. With the Bison up two points, the Raiders drew a foul and converted on the two layups to tie the game 60-60.
The Orange and Blue’s defense stepped up to limit Colgate’s offense during overtime. The majority of the Raiders’ final points scored came from foul shots. Sofilkanich scored 10 of the Bison’s 11 points, securing the victory, with a total of 44 on the game.
The historic performance from Bison sophomore was one for the books. She now holds Bucknell records for field goals made (16), field goals attempted (27) and free throws attempted (16). The previous record for most points scored in a single game was 40.
The rest of the Bison starters helped contribute to the overall win. King added eight points, Tuana Coskun ’27 added seven and Reese Zemitis ’28 and Sabino added four each.
The Orange and Blue were back on the court days later as they faced Boston University on Saturday afternoon. A quick start and lights-out shooting helped boost the Bison to a big 74-59 win.
Boston established the first lead of the game. But that would only last for so long before the Bison went on an 11-0 streak, with points coming from four separate players. Boston was forced to call a timeout to regroup. As the half went on, the Bison continued to run away with the lead. By the half, the team led 35-24.
The Terriers managed to come as close as 42-36 on their last big run of the game. Sofilkanich’s response was a turnaround layup that would kickstart a series of baskets to push the Bison’s lead to 10 (51-41). They continued to hit big shots, like a three-pointer from Coskun, that kept advancing their lead. Boston saw one more run, putting them within nine points with about a minute left, but the Bison weren’t phased. Back-to-back three-pointers sealed the deal for the Bison’s 74-59 win against Boston.
Sofilkanich shined once again with 22 points, seven rebounds and six assists (career high). Zemitis and Sabino added a trio of three-pointers each to the team’s victory.
The Orange and Blue will host Navy this Saturday, Feb. 1 at 4 p.m.