Bloomsburg Falls in Women's Basketball Despite Rothermel's Big Game

JOHNSTOWN —Despite a game-high 31 points from Meggi Rothermel (Minersville/Nativity BVM) the Bloomsburg University women's basketball team lost to Pitt-Johnstown, 83-74, on Saturday afternoon.

In the opening 10 minutes of the game there were 10 lead changes and six ties. Rothermel kept the Huskies in the game scoring 11 of Bloomsburg's first 21 points. Then with the score tied at 21-21, the Lady Cats went in front for good when Jami Oaks scored with 10:27 left in the half. The basket started UPJ on a 19-6 that pushed their lead to 13, 40-27, with 3:15 left in the period.

UPJ opened a 16-point lead on several occasions in the early minutes of the second half and were holding a 13 point edge, 64-51, when Bloomsburg started to rally. Back-to-back baskets by Jamie Kauczka (Kingston/Wyoming Valley West), two free throws from Gabe Miskinis (Lewistown/Lewistown)and four points from Rothermel brought the Huskies back to within five points, 65-60, with 9:40 left in the game.

However, the Lady Cats used a 14-2 run over the next four minutes to put the game out of reach at 75-62. The closest the Huskies would get the rest of the way was nine points with a minute to play.

Rothermel finished 9-12 from the floor, including 5-7 from three-point range and 8-8 from the foul line for her 31 points. Miskinis added 18 points and 11 rebounds for Bloomsburg, now 12-10.

Pitt-Johnstown, 19-6, was led by 23 points from Samantha Conner, while Melissa Patterson added 18 points and Jessica Zapf 14.

Bloomsburg will return to action on Wednesday at West Chester.