MADISON, N.J. (January 27, 2012) – For the second time this season the Rangers had nationally ranked Juniata (18-1, 8-0 Landmark) on the ropes, but ultimately fell, 58-54 in the closing minutes. Senior Danielle Barber (Cape May Court House, N.J./Middle Twp.) had a game-high 24 points as the Rangers drop to 6-13 on the year and 2-6 in the conference.

The Rangers took a 54-53 lead with 2:35 remaining in the game on a jumper by Logan Cavanaugh (Rutland, Vt./Burr & Burton Academy). The Eagles answered 25 seconds later on a layup by Alyssia Gordon and took the lead for good. The game clinching basket came via a three-point play by Eagle senior Ashton Bankos with 31 seconds remaining. The Landmark Conference's leading scorer finished the play off with the free throw making the score 58-54.

Gordon finished as the Eagles leading scorer with 20 points and five rebounds. Kate McDonald ended her night with a double-double, grabbing a game-high 13 boards and chipping in 16 points of her own. The Rangers kept the Landmark's leading scorer, Ashton Bankos, in check as she was held to a season-low four points.

Barber's 24 points moved her into a tie for fifth place on Drew's All-Time Scoring List with Denise Brown C'85. Senior Victoria Ault (Middletown, N.J./Mater Dei) led the Rangers on the glass with seven rebounds and added 14 points. Ault has now been a double-digit scorer for the Rangers five of her last six games.

The Rangers controlled much of the contest all the way up until the final minutes even holding leads as high as seven points. After Juniata hit the first basket, Barber hit a three-pointer and scored the next seven points for the home team. The Eagles didn't capture another lead for the remainder of the half but were able to knot the score twice including just before the halftime horn, making it 29-29 at the break.

The lead would change hands three times in the final 20 minutes including twice in the last seven minutes of play.
The Rangers will continue their Landmark Conference schedule tomorrow afternoon when they welcome Susquehanna in for a 2:00 p.m. bout.