By: Jennifer Jones
Director of Sports Information
jonesj@juniata.edu • juniatasports.net
HUNTINGDON, Pa. – This Saturday, Feb. 15 at 4 p.m., the Juniata College women's basketball team hosts Landmark Conference rival the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in its last Saturday home matchup. It's senior day for the Eagles and they will take time before the game to honor seniors Jordan Hileman (Williamsburg, Pa./Williamsburg) and Kate McDonald (Pennsylvania Furnace, Pa./State College Area).
"It's important for a lot of different reasons," said head coach Danny Young-Uhrich of the game.
Juniata (11-11, 4-7 Landmark) is on a two-game win streak and needs to win out the season to control its own destiny in the playoff picture. The Eagle seniors have stepped up of late. Both Hileman and McDonald averaged double-figure points in the past two games. Hileman has averaged 37 minutes on the court, shot 50 percent from the floor and went a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line. The guard also snuck her way down into the paint and grabbed 11 rebounds, second most on the team. McDonald, true to form, averaged a double-double at 12.5 points and 11 rebounds per game in the same time. She earned a team-best six steals and was second in assists behind Hileman.
"Their leadership was important throughout the entire year, but one alone can't do it by themselves, it's just too much," added Young-Uhrich. "So the both of them working together in leading the team is really what is making us successful. They very much have the capability to do that. So I'm glad to see them clicking and stepping up and really taking this team and hopefully putting us in a playoff spot."
Also rising to the challenge has been freshman Olivia Halfpenny (McVeytown, Pa./Mifflin County). The guard/forward has also averaged double-figure points in the past two games shooting 50 percent from the floor. She is currently second in the league for 3-point field goal percentage.
"We're looking at her to really help us out shooting from the perimeter cause it seems we've been really struggling as a whole in the last couple games in particular," Young-Uhrich said of Halfpenny. "So, that's her role. She understands that role and she's really doing well. She's really stepping up."
This is the 14th meeting all-time between the two programs. Juniata leads the series 12-1 and is undefeated at home against the Mariners. They have outscored Merchant Marine by an average of 13 points in Huntingdon and more than 18 points over the course of the rivalry. The Mariners (4-17, 0-11 Landmark) are on a seven game skid and looking for their first conference win of the season. While they are out of the postseason picture, they have the ability to play spoiler for playoff potentials. Merchant Marine is being led by junior Demi VanDerWal. The 5-9 guard leads the team points, steals, assists, and is second in blocks. She is currently ranked nationally in free-throw percentage and averages over 27 minutes per game.
"We beat them pretty good there, so I'm pretty sure there's going to be a little redemption in them," said Young-Uhrich. "I'm definitely not taking it for granted because we beat Goucher pretty good and they sent us into overtime. It's a completely different game. I think VanDerWal is going to be ready to go. She's a really good shooter. She can shoot three's; she can do a little bit of everything. And we kept her in check last game so hopefully we can do the same this game. She really gets their offense going."
Rebounding and a fast start may be the keys for the Eagles success. They are 8-1 this season when outrebounding opponents and 9-2 when they lead at halftime. Juniata held the Mariners to a season-low 16 first half points when the met back on January 25 en route to an 88-35 victory.
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