Mavericks Overcome Huge Deficit, Fall in Overtime at Molloy
The Mercy College women's basketball team trailed by as
many as 18 points in the second half and took a three point lead in
the waning moments of regulation, but could not hold the lead,
falling in overtime at Molloy College, 75-66.
This is the second straight overtime game for the Mavericks
(5-13; 3-10 East Coast Conference), who defeated NYIT on Saturday
79-75.
Tonight, Mercy trailed big early in the second half, but rallied
to
take its only lead of the game with 30 seconds remaining in
overtime on a pair of free throws by junior Simone Williams (Waldorf, Md./Lackey).
On the ensuing Molloy (5-15; 5-8 ECC) possession, Simone Williams
proved her value on the defensive end of the floor, forcing a
Molloy turnover, and was fouled in the process.
After missing the first, she made the second, and Mercy led
59-56 with 17 seconds remaining in the second half.
Molloy's Jessica Denicola made a layup on the ensuing
possession, and with seven seconds, and the lead was down to one
point.
Molloy was forced to foul, and Simone Williams stepped to the
line. Williams missed both, and Molloy's Caitlin Wheeler
grabbed the rebound. Wheeler was then fouled by Mercy's MarQuesha Moore (Bryans Road,
Md./Lackey), sending Wheeler to the line with the
opportunity to win the game. Wheeler missed the first, but made the
second, and the game went into bonus basketball.
Mercy led for a total of 26 seconds.
Molloy scored the first six points in overtime, and never looked
back, outscoring Mercy 16-7 to claim the win.
The game witnessed magical runs for both teams. In the first
half, Molloy held Mercy scoreless for nearly ten consecutive
minutes, going on a 16-0 run. In the second half, Mercy had runs of
9-1 and 10-3, setting up the last minute drama.
For the game, three Mavericks scored in double digits. Simone
Williams played well, recording 27 points, seven rebounds, nine
assists, and three steals. Jasmine Williams (Stratford, Conn./Greens Farms
Academy) had a double-double with 15 points and 11
rebounds, while junior Talia Beaulieu (Waldorf,
Md./McDonough) had ten points and six
rebounds.
Molloy had four players in double figures, led by Scarlett
Demchak, who had 15.
Molloy remains in sixth place in the eight-team ECC, two games
ahead of eight place Mercy.
The Mavericks hit the road again on Wednesday, February 2,
travelling to Dowling for a 5:00 p.m. start.
