Links: Box Score
Post Game Reaction:
Denia Davis-Stewart
LORETTO, PA. – The Merrimack College women's basketball team earned its fourth Northeast Conference (NEC) victory on Monday afternoon with a 71-56 win over Saint Francis (PA). Senior
Denia Davis-Stewart scored 26 points and pulled in 14 rebounds for her 14
th double-double of the season. The fourth-year forward knocked down a career-high six three-pointers in the win. Sophomore
Kate Mager scored 13 points after shooting 3-5 from long range. Freshman point guard
Jayme DeCesare also had 13 points on the day after scoring eight points in the fourth quarter alone.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 71, Saint Francis (PA) 56
Records: Merrimack (11-7, 4-3 NEC) | Saint Francis (PA) (7-11, 5-2 NEC)
Location: DeGol Arena | Loretto, Pa.
Rapid Recap
- Davis-Stewart wasted no time giving Merrimack a 6-2 lead after hitting her first two three-point shots. Saint Francis (PA) tied the game up at six after a layup by Sam Miller. Mager found the bottom of the net with a three ball with 1:26 remaining in the quarter to put the Warriors up by five. To end the quarter, freshman guard Diamond Christian crossed up her defender and hit a mid-range jumper to keep the Warrior lead at five.
- Saint Francis cut the Merrimack lead to just two early on in the second quarter after Haley Thomas scored on a jumper. The Warriors responded by going on a 9-0 capped off by yet another Davis-Stewart three. With 45 seconds remaining in the half, Christian drove to the hoop and scored the layup to give Merrimack an 11-point advantage heading into the locker rooms.
- The Red Flash scored the first four points of the quarter to cut the Warrior lead to six. Graduate student Courtney Clasen pushed the lead back to eight after a running hook in the paint. With 4:51 remaining in the frame, Mager hit a three to put the lead back to 11. Freshman Kaylee Thomas banked in a layup to put Merrimack out in front by 13.
- Mager pushed the lead to 15 in the first two minutes of the fourth quarter after knocking down a jumper. With just over four minutes left in the game, DeCesare gave Merrimack a 16-point advantage after knocking down a NBA range three. A few possessions later Mager hit her final three on the contest to push the Warrior lead to 19.
Notes and Numbers
- Davis-Stewart ranks second in the country in double-doubles with 14 on the season. She is only one behind the current leader.
- Head coach Monique LeBlanc is one win away from becoming the all-time leader in wins at Merrimack College.
- The Warriors shot 53% from long range, which is their highest percentage of the season.
Up Next
Merrimack get back to action next Monday when the Knights of Fairleigh Dickinson come to Hammel Court. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and will be streamed on NEC Front Row.
--
