#CLINCHED
The Warriors are heading to Atlantic City in March after a dominant victory over Rider last Saturday. Over the past 13 games, the Warriors have been victorious in 10, holding opponents to under 60 points in eight of them. The Warriors held Rider to under 40 over the weekend, a feat that the Warriors have only achieved twice in the past two seasons. Senior Lydia Melaschenko broke the single-season program record for 3-pointers (77) with a three pointer in the 3rd quarter. Madison Roman made it 13 games this season recording a double-double and 13 games in a row with double-digit scoring. Against Sacred Heart last Thursday, the Warriors exploded for a 22 point victory. In the win, Lydia Melaschenko hit six 3-pointers scoring 22 and Madison Roman put up 21.
Who to Watch
Not only does Lydia Melaschenko lead the MAAC in 3-pointers per game, she leads THE NATION in 3-pointers per game, averaged 3.35 per game. Lydia hit four against Rider over the weekend to break the single-season program record for 3-pointers. It was six treys in the 22 points win over Sacred Heart last that brought her within striking distance of the record. Melaschenko has hit 30 3's (5 per game) over the past six games. She made 8 3-pointers in back to back games last month, coming one away from a program record.
The MAAC's leading rebounder Madison Roman posted 15 rebounds in the 36 point win over Rider. Roman posted 11 points shooting over 50% for the third straight game. She made it 13 games in a row scoring in double-figures while also tallying her 13th double-double of the season. Roman shot 6-for-9 against Sacred Heart in the win. The Connecticut native put up a career high in rebounds two weeks ago when she came down with 22 against Saint Peter's, two shy of a program record.
Grad Year Balling
The conference leader in blocks, Oralye Kiefer, is averaging 2.43 blocks per game. She is 10th in the nation in blocks per game. Kiefer set a career high in points with 22 in the teams win over the Gaels two weeks ago, going 6-for-9 from three points range. She has posted 2+ blocks in four of her last six games.
Defending Like Warriors
The Warriors have allowed under 60 points in 10 of their last 13 games and under 70 in 11 of their last 13 games. Madison Roman leads the conference in defensive rebounds with 173 and Paloma Garcia is fifth in the MAAC in steals with 50. Merrimack leads the conference as a team with 90 total blocked shots, highlighted by 50 from graduate student Oralye Kiefer.
