Eagles Takedown Gophers, Clinch Two Seed in Landmark Playoffs

Huntingdon, Pa.- The Juniata women's basketball team clinched the second seed with a 67-27 victory over Goucher, Wednesday evening at Memorial Gymnasium. 

Morgan Instone (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCourt) tallied 16 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks. Kaeana Rebert (Hanover, Pa./South Western) had a career high 14 points off the bench, sinking four threes. Carmella Bickel (Elysburg, Pa./Lourdes Regional) added eight points and two assists. Veronica Cosmopolis (Lima, Peru/Colegio Carmelitas) tallied seven points and two assists while Gracie Stauffer (Loysville, Pa./West Perry) had six points, nine rebounds, three steals and two blocks. Rachael Anstine (York, Pa./Dallastown) totaled six points, nine rebounds and a steal. Makayla Carles (Tyrone, Pa./Bellwood-Antis) amassed six points and three rebounds.

The Eagles struggled offensively early, shooting 30% from the floor but forced the Gophers into 11 first quarter turnovers as JC led 14-6 after one.

Bickel opened the second quarter with three to push the Eagle lead to double digits. Cosmopolis scored in transition, Rebert swished a three from the corner and Cosmopolis drilled a three off a pass from Carles to push the lead to 25-6. After another Rebert three the Gophers sunk a jumper, Instone scored inside and Carles made a three off a pass from Lexey Shick (Rimersburg, Pa./Union) and Shick followed with a midrange jumper as JC led 35-9. In the final seconds of the half, Steph Waltersdorff (York, Pa./York Country Day) stole the ball and threw it ahead to Instone who laid the ball in off the glass right before the buzzer as JC led 37-9.

Juniata cruised in the second half, outscoring Goucher 30-18, as the Eagles locked up a home playoff game.

Juniata will host Drew on Saturday, which is also senior day. Tipoff is 4:00 p.m.