Clark Scores Career-High 26 Points as Women's Basketball Hosts Bridgeport
Box Score VALHALLA, N.Y. (Jan. 21, 2017) – Despite a career-high 26 points from junior Latisha Clark (Peekskill, N.Y. / Peekskill), the Mercy College women's basketball team dropped a 72-59 decision to University of Bridgeport on Saturday afternoon at Westchester Community College.
The Mavericks (3-15, 1-9 ECC) have now dropped two games in a row, while the Purple Knights (11-8, 5-4 ECC) move over .500 in ECC play.
Clark also contributed five rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and one steal in her standout performance. Another key contributor for the Mavericks was junior Monet Keane-Dawes (Brooklyn, N.Y. / Midwood) who recorded her second double-double of the season after scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. Keane-Dawes also added three steals, two blocks, and one assist in the contest.
Samnell Vonleh led the Purple Knights with 16 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, and one steal. Also adding to the victory was Aaliyah Mercer who recorded 12 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two blocks.
The first quarter was a back-and-forth battle for both squads with the lead changing a total of eight times for the quarter. Clark led the Mavericks offensively with four points and one steal, while sophomore Cynthia Perez (Middle Village, N.Y. / Christ the King) and Keane-Dawes both contributed three points in the quarter. For the Purple Knights, Vonleh recorded six points and six rebounds. The Mavericks trailed by one with a score of 16-15 entering the second quarter.
Morgan Caution opened up scoring for the second quarter, putting the Purple Knights on the board in the first two minutes of play. The Mavericks had a strong second quarter, recording 19 points compared to the Purple Knights thirteen. Clark continued to lead the Mavericks on offense when she put ten points on the board for the Mavericks in the period. Keane-Dawes held down the Mavericks defense with four rebounds and six points. Two successful free throws from freshman Caralie Wilson (Gold Coast, Australia / John Paul College) with 1:55 on the clock would give Mercy a 29-27 lead that they were able to hold for the remainder of half. The Mavericks entered halftime with a 34-29 lead.
Sophomore Chi-la Bady (Valley Stream, N.Y. / Francis Lewis) opened up the second half with a layup to put the Mavericks on the board in the first minute. It was a back-and-forth battle for the third quarter, with the game being tied for a total of one minute and eleven seconds throughout the ten-minute quarter. A successful layup at the buzzer from Caution would put the Purple Knights in the lead entering the fourth quarter. The Mavericks trailed 45-44 at the conclusion of the quarter.
The Purple Knights were able to earn the victory in the fourth quarter of the game, recording 27 points compared to the Mavericks fifteen. Mercy eventually fell to the Purple Knights 72-59.
Mercy shot 42.1 percent (24-of-57) from the floor, 35.7 percent (5-of-14) from beyond the arc and 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from the foul line. Bridgeport shot 44.6 percent (25-of-56) from the field, 35.7 percent (5-of-14) from long distance and 68.0 percent (17-of-25) from the charity stripe.
Head Coach Jim Harter and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, January 25th when they host Queens College (N.Y.) at 5:30 p.m. at Westchester Community College.
