Bucknell Hosts First Ever Gwynedd Mercy Game, Local Fans Respond

Bucknell welcomed Division III Gwynedd Mercy to Sojka Pavilion on December 16, 2025, for the first game between the two schools. The contest gave Union County fans a chance to see the Bison in person as Bucknell carried a 3 7 overall record into the meeting, while the Griffins arrived at 3 6 following a December loss to Delaware Valley.

The Bison roster featured a mix of returning players and newcomers after finishing the 2024 to 2025 season 17 14 overall with an 11 7 Patriot League mark. Bucknell returned eight players and added five newcomers, including four freshmen and one sophomore transfer. Junior Tuana Coskun was serving as team captain in her third season and head coach Trevor Woodruff was in his seventh season at the helm after earning Patriot League Coach of the Year honors early in his tenure. Probable starters included sophomore guards Isabella Casey and Reese Zemitis, junior guard Anna Kunzwiler, junior forward Tuana Coskun and sophomore forward Elana Weisman. Zemitis led the team in scoring at 11.6 points per game, Coskun and Casey led in rebounds at 4.3 per game, and Casey led in assists at 2.2 per game. Zemitis led the team with eight blocks and shared the team lead in steals with Ella Kreuzer at 10 each. Fans could follow the game on ESPN Plus, listen on 90.5 WVBU, or view live statistics at bucknellbison.com.

Gwynedd Mercy came into the game with senior forward Erin Eisenhart carrying heavy minutes and contributions, including an all 40 minutes effort in the recent game against Delaware Valley. Julianna DiFebbo led the Griffins at 10.4 points per game and 4.8 rebounds per game, while Alyssa Cresto led the team in total points scored so far this season.

Beyond the box score the matchup underscores larger community issues. Home contests at Sojka Pavilion provide social and economic activity for Lewisburg businesses and create visible opportunities for girls and young women to see collegiate athletes in action. The season also raises questions about resources for athlete health and safety, mental health services, and equitable support for women's programs as teams navigate roster turnover and the demands of travel and training during a winter respiratory virus season. Local health officials and campus clinics play a role in keeping athletes and spectators safe, and sustained investment in medical staff and recovery services affects athlete wellbeing and competitive parity.

As the Patriot League season approaches, both programs will use this early nonconference matchup to assess depth, fitness and cohesion. For Union County residents, the game was a reminder that local college sports are not just entertainment, they are part of a community conversation about health, opportunity and equitable support for student athletes.