Bucknell women fall 62-49 to Lafayette at Sojka Pavilion

Lafayette pulled away in the second half to beat Bucknell 62-49 at Sojka Pavilion, handing the Bison a loss that highlighted persistent issues with shooting and the glass. The game, played Jan. 14, 2026, was tied 30-30 at halftime after a late 12-0 Bucknell run, but a pair of decisive Lafayette runs in the second half proved too much for the home team.

Tuana Coskun led Bucknell with 16 points and Desirae Ashton provided a spark off the bench with 10 points, giving the Bison offensive options beyond the starting five. Those contributions, however, could not overcome overall offensive struggles. Bucknell shot roughly 27.7% for the game while Lafayette converted about 41.1% of its attempts. Lafayette also controlled the boards and connected on several key three-pointers in the second half, swinging momentum and creating separation.

The first half belonged to a Bucknell comeback narrative, as the 12-0 spurt late in the second quarter erased an earlier deficit and sent the teams into intermission even. After halftime, the Leopards (Lafayette) organized two stretches of productive offense that Bucknell failed to counter. Turnovers, missed perimeter shots and limited second-chance opportunities contributed to a scoring drought that allowed Lafayette to extend its lead and manage the closing minutes.

Coaches from both sides referenced game flow and areas for improvement in postgame remarks, pointing to shooting consistency and rebounding as focal points. For Bucknell, the night underscored the need to convert possessions and to limit opponents' open perimeter looks. Bench scoring from Ashton was a positive note, but the Bison will need more balanced production if they are to reverse their fortunes at home.

For Union County fans, the loss at Sojka Pavilion signals a moment for recalibration. Local supporters who packed the arena saw flashes of competitiveness but ultimately a performance undone by efficiency gaps. The result has immediate implications for Bucknell's preparations in the weeks ahead as the team looks to shore up fundamentals in practice and translate effort into more consistent results.

What comes next for the Bison is practical: improve shot selection, secure defensive rebounds and convert bench momentum into sustained offense. Those adjustments will determine whether Bucknell can defend home court and regain traction in league play moving forward.