Women's Basketball Falls to AIC 59-49

Women's Basketball Falls to AIC 59-49

NORTH ANDOVER, MA. – The Merrimack women’s basketball team dropped its fourth straight game, losing a defensive battle with American International 59-49 Saturday afternoon at the Volpe Gym.

The Warriors shot just 27% from the field on 17-of-63 shooting. Casey Miller (Fairbanks, AK) and Amanda Shannon (North Andover, MA) led the way with 10 points each, while Ashley Brownlee (Portland, ME) and Gately Golden (Fair Haven, NJ) posted seven boards each.

AIC, which led for most of the game, overcame 18 turnovers, and shot 45% from the field, led by 18 from Alexis Castro, who was 8-for-9 from the free-throw line.

The Yellow Jackets converted seven of eight free throws in the final two minutes, led by five of six from Castro, to preserve the victory.

Merrimack’s last lead came early in the second half after Miller converted a breakaway lay-up after a Brownlee steal to give the Warriors the 33-32 lead.

Jeannette Johnathan fired right back for AIC sinking one of her two three-pointers to retake the lead, a lead they would not lose. Jen Nnanna was outstanding defensively, grabbing seven boards and blocking nine shots in just 25 minutes.

The Yellow Jackets recorded 14 second-chance points, to just five for Merrimack and had 18 points in the paint.

Merrimack (2-4, 0-2 NE-10) will look to snap its skid against UMass Lowell Tuesday at 5:30 pm at the Volpe Gym.