NORTH ANDOVER, M.A. - The Merrimack College Women's Basketball team earned a hard fought victory over Saint Peter's this afternoon. Madison Roman tallied her third straight double-double in the 67-59 win.
It was a tail of two halves as St. Peter's held a 36-29 lead at halftime, but Merrimack stormed back and outscored SPU 38-23 in the second to secure the win.
"Anytime they decide to flip the switch, they do," Merrimack head coach Kelly Morrone said. "The rebounding was huge, we knew that was a big difference in the analytics when it came to the first half."
"I think this game is another testament to our grit," Roman said. "We're a super gritty team. Even when you think we're not in it, we're most definitely in it to the very end."
Roman lit up the stat sheet scoring 21 points for her second time in three games and came down with a season high 17 rebounds. Roman was 7-9 (78%) from the field and added on five assists to her day.
"I just trust the work that I put in," Lydia Melaschenko said. "I'm very grateful to play for a coaching staff that believes in me and is always in my ear telling me to keep shooting so that's what I do."
The guard erupted for four 3-pointers in the second half and gave the Warriors a lead that they wouldn't give up. Her 15 point day came with three rebounds.
Oralye Kiefer scored 14, shooting 50% from the field (6-12). She came just shy of a double-double coming down with seven rebounds, but powered her way to a four block outing.
"I think we did a good job pushing through when we weren't playing our best and not letting that affect our future plans, " Keifer said.
The Warriors stay put and host the Marist Red Foxes next Thursday. Tip off from Lawler Arena is at 7 P.M.
