PURCHASE, N.Y. (Dec. 30, 2017) – Powered by a game high 19 points and 13 rebounds from senior Latisha Clark (Peekskill, N.Y./Peekskill), the Mercy College women's basketball team closed out 2017 with a 75-59 victory over Concordia College on Saturday afternoon at SUNY Purchase.
The Mavericks (4-9) snap a five-game losing streak with the win and match their win total from all of last year, while the Clippers (0-13) remain winless on the year.
Clark went 6-of-7 from the floor and had five steals, while sophomore Caralie Wilson (Gold Coast, Australia/John Paul College) added 16 points, five rebounds and three assists. Freshman Amber Brown (South Brunswick, N.J./South Brunswick) ended the day with 12 points and five rebounds.
Concordia was led by Cameron Corbett who had 13 points on 5-of-5 shooting.
Mercy opened the contest with the game's first four points before the guest responded with four in a row to tie the game up at 4-4 at the 6:47 mark. Concordia took their first lead of the game at the 5:43 mark after an Amiya Rankins and increased it to three, 10-7, following another Rankins layup. The Mavericks immediately came back with a 7-0 run to retake the lead at 14-10 with 3:52 left in the quarter. Mercy increased the lead to a quarter high seven points, 21-14, after a Clark free throw with 32 seconds left, but the Clippers ended the frame with a layup to trail by five, 21-16, after one quarter.
The Mavericks maintained a five-point advantage, 29-24, with 4:20 left in the half after a pair of Wilson free throws. Concordia had another run in them and went on a 7-0 run to take a 31-29 lead with 2:01 remaining in the half. Mercy regained the momentum and closed the half with five unanswered points to take a 34-31 lead at halftime.
The Clippers began the second half with four straight points to take the lead back at 35-34, but that would be their last lead as the Mavericks ensued with a 7-0 run to build a 41-35 advantage with 6:23 left in the third quarter. Concordia made it a four-point game at the 6:50 mark, but the Mavericks concluded the period on a 13-4 run to increase the lead to 13, 54-41, at the end of the third quarter.
Mercy started the final quarter with five straight points to take an 18-point lead, 59-41, with 7:40 remaining. The Mavericks later put the lead to a game high 21 points, 64-43, with 4:35 left and cruised the rest of the way in securing the win.
Mercy shot 30.8 percent (20-of-65) from the floor, 22.6 percent (7-of-31) from downtown and 70.0 percent (28-of-40) from the foul line. Concordia shot 32.9 percent (23-of-70) from the field, 10.0 percent (1-of-10) from long distance and 75.0 percent (12-of-16) from the charity stripe.
Head Coach Jim Harter and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, January 3rd when they play at St. Thomas Aquinas at 5:30 p.m.
