Women's Basketball Falls Short in Final Non Conference Game

WORCESTER, MA – The Merrimack College Women's Basketball team lost a hard fought game in Worcester to close out non conference play against Holy Cross. 
 
The Basics
Score: Holy Cross 55, Merrimack 43
Records: Holy Cross (6-5, 0-0), Merrimack (3-10, 0-0)
Location: Hart Center / Worcester, MA
 
Rapid Recap
It was a packed house in the Hart Center and the first quarter was full of energy. Amaya Staton would get the scoring going and was on fire early. She would knock down two triples and was into double figures before the break. Despite the great play from Staton, the Warriors defense struggled to stop the Crusader attack in the first as Holy Cross was leading 19-14 heading into the second. The second quarter both offenses struggled to keep up with the pace of the first quarter. The Warriors would score just seven total points all coming from Lydia Melaschenko. Holy Cross would go into the half up ten at 31-21.
 
The third quarter once again was much more of a defensive battle. Both teams couldn't find the bottom of the cup. It was still the Staton and Melaschenko show for Coach Morrone's team. The Warriors we're able to score early on in the quarter but couldn't continue that success throughout the rest of the third. In the last four minutes of the third quarter they scored just three points and would go into the final frame trailing by nine, 41-32 after a final second score from Lydia Melaschenko. The fourth quarter is when it got real close. It was the final chance for Merrimack to pull within striking distance and steal a win heading into 2024. The Warriors we're able to pull it to within a two possession ball game after a nifty layup from Paloma Garcia at 45-39. However, the Crusaders would not let it get any closer as they would go on to make it a twelve point win, 55-43.
 
Notes and Numbers
Lydia Melaschenko had her career high with 14 points and added 7 rebounds
Amaya Staton was in double figures with 16 points and 6 rebounds
 
Up Next
Merrimack will not be back in action for quite some time with the holiday break. Their next game comes January 6th at Sacred Heart.