Strong First Half, Career-High for Coolidge Push Eagles Past Gophers

BALTIMORE, Pa.- The Juniata women's basketball team powered past Goucher in the first half, completing the season sweep with a 76-51 victory on Saturday. 

Emma Coolidge averaged a point per minute as she set a career-high of 19 points from the bench alongside seven rebounds. 

Steph Emert fired three three-pointers totaling 11 points on the day, while Bri Bodtorf and Haily Sherman each had nine points. Bodtorf tied for a team-high with seven rebounds, while Sherman led the team with three steals.  

Juniata broke a scoreless opening two minutes as Steph Emert stole the ball in the Juniata paint and drove downcourt for an open layup. Goucher answered back with a layup followed by a Coolidge jump shot. 

After yet another Goucher leveler, Coolidge rebounded a Bodtorf shot attempt to retake the lead at 6-4.  

A Betts layup and a pair of Emily McCann free throws countered a Goucher three, putting JC ahead 10-9 with three minutes to play in the first. Layups from Sherman and McCann and a top-of-key three from Aleya Eisenberg put the Eagles ahead 18-11 through one.  

The sides traded buckets through the early stages of the second quarter before opening up the advantage with a 12-0 run that featured four free throws, a layup from Coolidge, and a left-wing three from Bodtorf. 

Goucher broke the run with five points of their own, with Juniata calling timeout at 34-22 and two minutes to go in the half. A Coolidge layup and Sherman jumper put the Eagles ahead 38-22 through 20 minutes.  

Goucher was able to outscore Juniata but not chip away at the Juniata lead, outscoring the Eagles 14-12 in the third quarter. Goucher was able to shoot from the free throw line 12 times in the third but missed the chance to get back into the game as they converted just half of their chances. Bodorf led scoring for Juniata with three layups alongside an Emert three-pointer. 

Juniata cemented their win in the fourth quarter, outscoring the Gophers 26-15. Emert fired off back-to-back threes, while Coolidge posted five to push past her previous career high of 15 points set at Catholic on Wednesday. 

The Juniata women's basketball team is back in action on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm as they host Susquehanna.