STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – The Merrimack College Women's Basketball team traveled to the Empire State to take on the Wagner College Seahawks in Northeast Conference action on Sunday afternoon. The Warriors got contributions from multiple players throughout the lineup and came away with the upset victory over the number two ranked team in the conference.
Merrimack had impressive performances up and down the lineup starting with yet another impressive performance from sophomore forward,
Teneisia Brown, who finished with a game high 18 points (a career high) to go along with nine rebounds. Graduate student,
Mayson Kimball, after a tough game shooting wise against Bryant, got back on track with 12 points while shooting 40% from the field. Fellow graduate student,
Paige McCormick, and sophomore,
Amaya Staton, helped dominate in the paint for the Warriors as McCormick had seven rebounds and Staton had six. One of the most impressive performances came from junior guard,
Jayme DeCesare, who capped of the contest with eight points, eight rebounds, six assists, and four steals coming close to her first career triple-double.
The Basics
Score: Merrimack 68, Wagner College 57
Records: Merrimack (5-11, 3-5 NEC) | Wagner College (10-7, 4-4 NEC)
Location: Staten Island, N.Y.
Rapid Recap
- The first quarter started with a bit of a feeling out process as the Warriors didn't score their first bucket until two minutes and twenty-six seconds had come off the clock. That's when McCormick slid off of a screen and got a pass from senior, Kate Mager. She then flew past her defender with a textbook net drive and laid it up and in for the first points of the day. Soon thereafter, DeCesare drew two defenders to her and dropped a pass to senior, Carla Balague, who chucked up a shot from beyond the arch for three more points. Then DeCesare decided she wanted in on the action in the following possession as she faked a drive to the lane and stepped back for another Warrior three. Threes were flying early on for Merrimack as in the next possession, Mager got fantastic pass from DeCesare and buried a wide open three to give the Warriors their first lead of the game.
- The second quarter started just as the opening frame ended, with yet another Mager three to have the Warriors feeling good about their game going forward. Junior, Kaylee Thomas, checked in for the first time in the game and made an immediate impact. The Chelmsford, Mass. native brought the ball into the offensive side of the court and made a strong move to the inside and then dished the ball off to an open Brown for two more points. It truly seemed like the three ball was part of the plan for coach Kelly Morrone's side, as after they got a big stop on defense the Warriors turned it up and in transition the ball found Kimball who joined in on the fun and hit nothing but net from downtown. That shot gave Merrimack a 27-25 lead as both teams went to the locker room looking to regroup for a big second half.
- The second half started with what became a common theme for Merrimack down the stretch and that was getting the ball to Brown in the post. The opening shot came off a play where Kimball delivered a feed to Brown who then jumped and hooked a shot over a defender. Then the Seahawks went to work on the offensive glass, but DeCesare had different plans as the Johnston, R.I. native stole the ball and sent the Warriors on the fast break. She then floated a pass down by the basket to an open Brown who had nothing but time to extend the Warrior lead to 31-25. Then as both sides traded baskets, Merrimack looked to gain the momentum. That is where McCormick collected a defensive rebound and laid it off to DeCesare who then threw a home run pass down the floor to a waiting Mager who took a step and splashed home a three.
- The final quarter saw the Warriors once again start off hot when the ball found its way to Brown who drew a lot of attention because of her hot hand. The Mount Vernon, N.Y. native posted up a defender, but couldn't find a way by so she spun away and delivered a dime to Kimball who finished at the basket for an and one. Down the stretch the Warriors hit some huge free throws to keep their lead and eventually came out on top for the upset by a score of 68-57.
Up Next
Merrimack returns home after an extended road trip to battle with a familiar foe in the Bryant University Bulldogs on Thursday, January 27
th at 7 PM.
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For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
