STEWART MANOR, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a defensive struggle defined by cold shooting and critical turnovers, the Bucknell Bison women’s basketball team secured a hard-fought road victory, defeating the Hofstra Pride 61-55 on Saturday at the Mack Sports Complex.

The Bison, who evened their season record at 2-3, never trailed after the opening minutes, building an early double-digit lead and then weathering a persistent second-half challenge from the Pride. Hofstra, which fell to 1-3 with the loss, managed to trim a 14-point deficit down to just four in the final minutes but could never draw even, hampered by an inability to connect from beyond the arc and a series of untimely mistakes.

Bucknell’s victory was anchored by a dominant first quarter and a standout performance from junior guard Reese Zemitis. The Bison exploded out of the gate, outscoring Hofstra 21-12 in the opening period. The run was fueled by a late-quarter flurry from Zemitis, who knocked down three consecutive three-pointers in the final two and a half minutes to give Bucknell early control and momentum.

Zemitis, a 6-foot guard from Langhorne, Pennsylvania, finished with a game-high 21 points, the majority of which came from her sharp outside shooting. Her scoring outburst provided the offensive spark the Bison needed on a afternoon where overall efficiency was difficult to find.

While the offense sputtered at times, the Bison defense was consistently disruptive. They forced Hofstra into 15 turnovers, converting those into 22 points. The Pride’s offensive woes were most evident from three-point range, where they managed to make only 2 of 10 attempts. Bucknell also struggled from deep, hitting 9 of 28, but Zemitis’s accuracy proved to be a decisive factor.

The Bison built their largest lead of the game at 36-22 late in the second quarter following a three-pointer from Elana Weisman. Hofstra, however, refused to capitulate. The Pride began to chip away at the deficit in the third quarter, using a 9-2 run to close the period and pull within 50-38 heading into the final frame.

The Hofstra charge was led by guard Alarice Gooden, who came off the bench to provide a team-high 16 points. Her aggressive play in the second half kept the Pride within striking distance. In the fourth quarter, Hofstra continued to apply pressure, closing the gap to 56-52 after a three-pointer from Gooden with just over four minutes remaining.

Bucknell’s composure was tested in the closing moments. With the lead whittled down to four, the Bison turned to their veterans to seal the game. Isabella Casey, a 5-foot-10 guard from Radnor, Pennsylvania, delivered a crucial performance, contributing 15 points, six rebounds and two assists while playing a team-high 36 minutes. Her steady hand and ability to get to the free-throw line in the final minute helped ice the game for the Bison.

Despite being outscored 17-11 in the fourth quarter and outscored in the paint 24-16 for the game, Bucknell made the necessary plays down the stretch. Key defensive stops, including a critical steal by Zemitis with under a minute to play, prevented Hofstra from ever getting a possession with a chance to tie or take the lead.

For Hofstra, the loss was a story of missed opportunities. In addition to their frigid three-point shooting, the Pride struggled at the free-throw line, converting only 17 of 28 attempts. Ayen Angoi added 10 points and six rebounds for the Pride, while Deivejon Harris provided a significant presence inside with eight rebounds in just 15 minutes of action.

Bucknell’s Anna Kunzwiler, a 5-foot-9 guard from Leesburg, Virginia, made her impact felt primarily on the defensive end, pulling down seven rebounds and recording two blocks despite scoring only one point. Elana Weisman filled the stat sheet with 10 points, three assists and two blocks, while Tuana Coskun added six points and four rebounds.

The game was a grind for both teams offensively. Bucknell shot 39.2 percent from the field on 20-of-51 shooting, while Hofstra was slightly more efficient at 39.1 percent but on fewer attempts, going 18-of-46. The Bison’s ability to generate more possessions and capitalize on Hofstra’s errors ultimately proved to be the difference.

The announced attendance at the Mack Sports Complex was 430. The win provides Bucknell with positive momentum as they return home to face Le Moyne on Tuesday. Hofstra looks to rebound as they travel to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a matchup against Maryland on Thursday.