NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The Merrimack College Women's basketball team throttled the Sharks of LIU to get back to .500 in NEC play.
The Basics
Score: LIU 51,
Merrimack 68
Records: LIU (6-17, 3-7),
Merrimack 71 (8-15, 5-5)
Location: Hammel Court / North Andover, MA
Rapid Recap
This was an end to end victory for Merrimack as their hot play started right from the jump. The Warriors went up quickly, 11-2 and maintained that lead throughout the first quarter. MC struggled to find the bottom of the hoop after jumping out to thE lead but the defense held strong as they went into the second quarter up 11-9. The second quarter was back and forth basketball as the two NEC rivals traded baskets. The Warriors tacked on two points to their first quarter lead as they headed into the break up 29-25 after a beautiful play from
Jayme DeCesare finding
Diamond Christian streaking for a last second layup.
The second half is when the Warriors put it all together. The offense was clicking and the defense was firing on all cylinders. LIU would score the first two points of the second half before Merrimack completely took over the ball game. The Warriors blitzed the Sharks going on an 18-0 run fueled by Paloma "Swaggy P" Garcia and Kaylee "Kiki" Thomas among others. They would coast into the fourth quarter up 20 points. In the final frame they continued to put a beatdown on LIU as they maintained their massive third quarter lead, keeping the Sharks offense at bay. Merrimack would go on to get their fifth NEC win with the 68-51 victory in the first of two meetings against the LIU Sharks.
Notes and Numbers
- Kaylee Thomas continued her offensive surge leading all scorers with a game high 24
- Paloma Garcia came alive with 15 points, 9 rebounds, and 2 steals
- Rose Caso chipped in 11 points going a perfect 4-4 from the line
Up Next
The Warriors will compete next in their Play for Kay Pink Out Game against Stonehill on February 15th.
--
For continuing coverage of Merrimack College Athletics, visit MerrimackAthletics.com and follow the Warriors on Twitter and on Facebook.
