EASTON, Pa. – Sophomore Nicole Johnson's shot at the buzzer was what the Leopards needed to start off Patriot League action with a win Thursday night, as they defeated Boston University, 59-57. 

Three Leopards recorded double-digit points in the win. Junior Natalie Kucowski led the way with 23 points and 23 rebounds, marking her ninth double double of the season. Both Johnson and junior Drew Freeland finished the night with 10 points apiece.

After battling back and forth with the Terriers (5-7, 0-1 PL) throughout the first half, the Leopards (5-6, 1-0 PL) found themselves down 28-23 heading into the locker room at the half.  

The third period was the start of the turning point for the Maroon and White. They entered the third period down three and went point-for-point with the Terriers until the final two minutes of the period when juniors Natalie Kucowski and Drew Freeland made back-to-back jumpers to put the Leopards ahead by one. Freeland drew the and-one and made her free throw to put the Leopards up 44-42.

But it would be two fouls by the Leopards and two made free throws at the end of the period that would give the Terriers the two point lead heading into the final period.  
Senior Tasha Vipond started things up quickly for the Leopards in the fourth, putting in a layup to give the Leopards the lead back. Kucowski added a layup of her own and from there, the Terriers would eventually tie it up at 48 apiece.

Lafayette pushed its lead to four with 49 seconds left in the game. BU responded with a four points of their own to tie up the game with 12 seconds left.

With five seconds left on the clock, it was Johnson who fired one from inside the paint to secure the win for the Leopards as the buzzer went off.

Kucowski's 23 rebounds tied the Lafayette single game record for the most rebounds in a game, a record that was set by Lenora Jackson back in 1980. She also moved her career rebound total to 804 and moves her into fourth all-time in the Lafayette record book.

Johnson's 10 points on the night tied her season-high and was one point shy of her career-high 11 points. The sophomore's two three-pointers and two blocks were career-highs.

Up next for the Leopards is their first conference road test of the season. They will travel to Bucknell on Sunday for a 2 p.m. tip-off.