Women's Basketball Slips up Against Saint Rose, 67-60
NORTH ANDOVER, MA - Snapping a three-game win streak, the
Merrimack women's basketball team fell to the Golden Knights of
Saint Rose Wednesday evening at Volpe Gym, 67-60.
The loss drops Merrimack to 7-10 (5-7 NE-10) while Saint Rose
improved to 8-9 (7-6 NE-10).
Senior captain Casey Miller (Fairbanks, AK) led
all scorers with 18 points, while freshman Kelly Schatzlein
(Tolland, CT) was three assist short of a triple double
with a career-high 15 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists.
Sophomore Genn Roy (Granby, MA) also scored 15
for Merrimack in their first loss since January 6 at American
International. The Warriors last home loss was December 2,
2009.
With eight points on the fast break in the first half,
Merrimack's largest lead was three in a half that featured eight
lead changes and narrowly favored the visitors, 32-30, at the half.
Schatzlein and Miller lead the Warriors offense with 12 and 10
points, respectively, in a first half the Warriors shot 52%
(13-of-25) from the field and 4-of-9 from beyond the arc.
Entering Wednesday, the Warriors-who sank 10 threes
Wednesday-ranked second in the Northeast-10 for three-pointers made
per game (6.25) behind Pace University, whom Merrimack takes on
this Saturday in Pleasantville, New York.
In all, there were 12 lead changes and nine ties in a see-saw
battle between teams meddling for a home playoff spot. Saint
Rose used a 41-32 rebounding advantage in addition to a 14-8 edge
on second chance points.
"We got away from the little things that ultimately win
basketball games," head coach Helen Williams said
following her team's first loss in two weeks. "I am confident
that we'll rebound Saturday with a strong effort against
Pace. Whenever our team has had their backs against the wall,
they have done nothing but fight, and Saturday will give us a
chance to do just that."
For Saint Rose, Amy Voelkel, Ashley Rath, and Elizabeth Buckley
all scored 16 points for the Golden Knights. Voelkel also
tallied 10 rebounds and six assists to pace the visitors.
The women's team returns to the court on Saturday, January 23 at
Pace (11-5, 8-3 NE-10) on Wednesday, January 16 at 1:30pm.
