Third-Seeded Women's Basketball Team Opens MAAC Slate Vs. Mount St. Mary's

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ -- The capes come out in the conference tournament, Merrimack head coach Kelly Morrone summarized before the Warriors traveled to the MAAC Women's Basketball Championships in Atlantic City.

And the conference's Coach of the Year is fully confident Merrimack's key contributors have the ability to throw it on, as well.

"It's an awesome stage," Morrone said as she prepared for No. 6 Mount St. Mary's on Saturday afternoon.  "You can really build up the tournament vibe, the magic around the tournament, it being a completely different season. I love that the MAAC puts this investment in this space for us. You feel like a rockstar."

The Warriors (18-11, 15-5 in MAAC) arrive in Atlantic City after they finished third place in the regular season.

"We're going to have to play really, really hard," Morrone said. "Not back down to anybody. Step into the moment. Be present. Lean into the things that have gotten us here. And just be ready to get everybody's best basketball because the capes come out in this tournament from players on every team."

Riding high
The Warriors have won seven of their last eight games and have held opponents to fewer than 60 points in five of those contests.

Roman reigns
Madison Roman was named a First Team All-MAAC honoree after she led the conference in rebounds and ranked 12th in all of Division I in double-doubles. She is coming off a week in which she averaged 23.5 points and 13 rebounds per game, which earned the junior the MAAC Player of the Week award.

The award mantel
In addition to Roman, the Warriors hauled in a handful of regular-season awards, including Kelly Morrone claiming the MAAC Coach of the Year, Paloma Garcia being named the Defensive Player of the Year all while Oralye Kiefer was named to the All-Defensive team and Lydia Melashanko was recognized as a Third Team All-MAAC selection.

Sharpshooting senior
Melaschenko led the MAAC in 3-point attempts per game and finished the regular season having ranked 12th in the nation in made 3-pointers per game (2.97). 

Paloma power
An All-Defensive Team honoree, Garcia enters the postseason having secured a program record for steals in a game (nine vs. Canisius). Garcia also has scored in double figures in four of her last six games and seven of her last ten.