Bloomsburg Downs Indiana (PA) in Women's Basketball Action

BLOOMSBURG—The Bloomsburg University women's basketball team closed out the game with a 10-0 run over the final five minutes to pull away and beat Indiana (PA), 61-46, in women's college basketball action Saturday afternoon.

With the Huskies holding a slim 51-46 after two free throws from the Indians' Julie Gallo, the Huskies came down and got a three-pointer from Kelly Burkhart (Sayre/Athens) to make it a 54-46 lead for the Huskies. Both teams then went cold from the floor before the Huskies' Gabe Miskinis (Lewistown/Lewistown) hit a jumper with 2:47 to play to make it a 56-46 lead for Bloomsburg.

The Huskies then hit three of five free throws and got a layup from Miskinis with seconds left to win by 15 points. In all, Bloomsburg forced the Indians into shooting 0 for 8 from the floor in the final five minutes with a couple of turnovers.

In the opening half, the Indians held the early 6-1 lead before the Huskies rallied and tied the score at 6-6 on a layup from Meggi Rothermel (Minersville/Nativity BVM). Later, with IUP by one, 14-13, the Huskies went on an 8-0 run to grab their biggest lead of the game at 21-14 with 7:05 to play in the half. IUP rallied and later pulled to within one, 24-23, on a jumper from Lauren Fisher. But, Bloomsburg got a jumper from Michelle Albanese (Wilmington, DE/St. Mark's); two free throws from Jamie Kauczka (Kingston/Wyoming Valley West) and a bucket from Kim Dodson (Sugarloaf/Hazleton) to lead 30-25. IUP, though, answered with four made free throws in the final 30 seconds to get back within a point, 30-29, at the break.

In the second half, the Indians tied the game at 35-35 when Molly Miller hit one of two free throws. The Huskies though put together a 7-0 run, capped by a three from Rotherrmel, to go up 42-35 with 11:23 left in the game.

IUP would pull back to within three points later in the half, 44-41, on a two free throws from Emily McMahan with 8:55 to play. But another layup from Rothermel and five points from Miskinis gave the Huskies a 51-41 lead. IUP got to within five on a three-point play from Kara Taylor setting up Bloomsburg's final defensive push to get the win.

Rothermel led the Huskies, 6-5, with 17 points and seven rebounds, while Albanese finished with 12 points and six boards. Miskisnis chipped with 11 points, while Burkhart came off the bench for 10.

IUP was led by McMahan with 12 points.

Bloomsburg will host Lock Haven on Sunday at 1 p.m.