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Davis-Stewart Interview
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – After only scoring 18 points in the first half, the Merrimack College women's basketball program erupted for 39 in the second stanza, outscoring the visiting Saint Rose Golden knights by 25 points to orchestrate a 57-34 Northeast-10 Conference victory on Saturday at Hammel Court. Sophomore
Denia Davis-Stewart posted eights points, 13 rebounds and a career-high tying eight blocks in the win.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 57, Saint Rose 34
Records: Merrimack (11-8, 7-7 NE10) | Saint Rose (9-11, 7-7 NE10)
Location: Hammel Court | North Andover, Mass.
Marquee Moments:
- Merrimack shot only 29 percent in the first half, enduring a six-minute scoring drought to end the opening stanza that resulted in a 20-18 lead for the visitors at halftime
- The Warriors dominated the third quarter, using a 20-3 run that lasted the entirety of the frame to create a 15-point different between the conference foes entering the final quarter
- The Warriors shot nearly 50 percent (17-35) in the final two frames, while holding the Golden Knights to 5-of-25 shooting during the last 20 minutes
Rapid Recap
- Saint Rose held a 9-7 advantage through the first 6:25 of the opening quarter, but the Warriors clamped down on defense to hold the Golden Knights scoreless for the remainder of the frame. Merrimack went on a 6-0 run during the time, taking a 13-9 lead to the second quarter
- Both defensive units controlled the second quarter, with Saint Rose shooting just 4-of-19 from the field while Merrimack was able to make a pair of field goals on 11 attempts. The Golden Knights controlled the final six minutes by holding Merrimack scoreless, however, but could only score four points in that span to take a 20-18 lead to the locker room
- Merrimack started the third quarter on a 12-2 run over the first 6:23 of the frame, jumping ahead to a 30-22 advantage before Saint Rose used a timeout. The Warriors' run extended to their 17-point margin by the end of the frame, with Davis-Stewart finishing the quarter with eight points, 11 rebounds and eight blocks for the game
- Freshman Marissa Gattuso and sophomore Emily Houle each hit their first buckets of the game to start the fourth, giving the Warriors their largest lead to that point, 43-23. The Navy and Gold saw their lead dip slightly to 18 at the 5:48 mark, prompting a 30-second timeout
- The Warriors led comfortably the rest of the way, winning their second game of the season against Saint Rose to sweep the season series and return to .500 in NE10 play
Notes and Notables
- Davis-Stewart moved into second place in the league in total blocks (46), despite Saturday being her ninth game played this season. The 13 boards marked one short of a season-high
- Freshman Mayson Kimball set a career high with 12 rebounds, eight of which came in the first half. She added seven points offensively
- Fellow rookie Alyssa Casey notched a game-high 15 points, shooting 7-of-11 from the field
- Junior Karlee Alves finished with 10 assists, seven points and three steals, her fifth game this season with double-figure helpers
- For the game, Saint Rose shot just 21 percent from the field (12-56). It marked the Warriors' second-best effort in field-goal percentage defense this season
- The Warriors beat Saint Rose in non-conference play earlier this season, in Merrimack's final non-league tilt of the year
Up Next
The Warriors host Assumption on Wednesday night at 5:30 p.m. from Hammel Court.
