Juniata women’s hoops fights off second half challenge for convincing win over Goucher

HUNTINGDON, Pa. – Juniata College head women's basketball coach Danny Young-Uhrich got both a victory and some much needed playing time for her younger players as the Eagles cruised to a 71-58 win over Goucher College, Saturday evening's Landmark Conference matchup at the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center.

Juniata (8-9, 2-4 Landmark) used all 14 players on the roster and got 20 of its 71 points off the bench, in a contest the Eagles led wire-to-wire. 

The Eagles' lead reached its widest at 59-32 with 9:40 left in the second half, following a jumper by junior Kelly Rotan (Atco, N.J./Hammonton). That bucket capped an 11-4 run by the Eagles, helped along with a traditional three-point play by Meagan Raville (McSherrystown, Pa./Delone Catholic). 

Juniata shot 42.1% (24-57) from the field, and kept a defensive lid on the Gophers by holding them to just 37.3% (22-59) from the field. 

Jen Hnatuck (Mechanicsburg, Pa./Trinity) posted her fourth double-double of the season, 12th of her career, with 12 points and 13 rebounds. Brittay Ryder (Lancaster, Pa./Lancaster Catholic), who hit her first three field goal attempts to open the game and helped Juniata jump out to an 11-2 lead, finished with a game-high 15 points. 

Goucher (5-10, 1-5 Landmark) was led by Amber Smith with 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Amy Smith chipped in with 11 points.

Juniata will host Landmark rival Catholic University of America on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in the Kennedy Sports + Recreation Center. 

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