Links: Box Score
LORETTO, Pa. – The Merrimack College women's basketball team showed plenty of fight on Friday at Saint Francis University, trimming a 20-point halftime deficit down to seven in the early portions of the fourth quarter, but the Warriors' comeback attempt was thwarted by the Red Flash. Saint Francis won the Northeast Conference (NEC) duel, 61-48, from DeGol Arena on the campus of the Red Flash
Senior
Mayson Kimball enjoyed a game-high 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting for her best offensive performance of the season. Freshman
Nadeshka Bridgewater scored eight points while adding four steals off the bench in 13 minutes of action. Three players for the Red Flash scored in double figures including a double-double for Jada Dapaa.
The Basics
Score: Saint Francis 61,
Merrimack 48
Records: Merrimack (0-6, 0-6 NEC) | Saint Francis (10-4, 8-0 NEC)
Location: DeGol Arena | Loretto, Pa.
Rapid Recap
- Saint Francis scored the first six points of the game, but a quick 5-0 burst for Merrimack brought the Warriors back within one point. The hosts responded with an 8-0 run to build a 14-5 advantage, only to see the Warriors fight back with five unanswered points of their own. Sophomore Jayme DeCesare capped the run with a 3-pointer, making it a 14-10 game at the 1:46 mark. A 7-2 to stretch to end the frame gave the Red Flash a 21-12 edge after 10 minutes
- The Red Flash scored the first nine points of the second quarter to create an 18-point lead. Triples from both DeCesare and Kimball allowed Merrimack to climb within 13 points, but Saint Francis closed the quarter on an 8-1 stretch to lead at halftime
- Merrimack played its best in the third quarter. Trailing 46-26, the Warriors ended the final five minutes on a 13-4 run to get back into the game. Sophomore Kaylee Thomas scored three straight points followed by five in a row for Bridgewater to start the run. Freshman Teneisia Brown hit a layup followed by a trey from sophomore Alana Fursman in the final 30 seconds to make it a 50-39 game after three quarters
- After a scoreless first two minutes of the fourth quarter, sophomore Diamond Christian made a 3-pointer to bring Merrimack within single digits, 50-42, for the first time since the opening half. Merrimack would get as close as seven points, 50-43, but Saint Francis responded to build its lead back above 10 points. The first-place Red Flash held on from there to win
Notes and Numbers
- Kimball scored in double figures for the second time in three games, shooting a season-best 62.5 percent from the field (5-8)
- Bridgewater set single-game highs in points (8), steals (4) and field goals made (3)
- Merrimack recorded a season-best 15 steals, the most against a Division I opponent in school history
Up Next
Merrimack hosts Long Island University on Tuesday night at 7 p.m.
