RIVERDALE, N.Y. (Jan. 20, 2018) – Despite a game high 14 points and a team high nine rebounds from sophomore Abigail Collier (Watertown, Conn. / Watertown), the Mercy College women's basketball team suffered a 64-46 setback to ECC foe University of Bridgeport on Saturday afternoon at the Sharp Center.
The Mavericks (6-12, 2-7 ECC) have dropped two games in a row, while the Purple Knights (6-13, 3-6 ECC) snap a three-game losing streak with the win.
Leading the Mavericks was Collier, who also recorded two steals and one block. Senior Latisha Clark (Peekskill, N.Y. / Peekskill) added nine points, four assists, three blocks, three rebounds and two steals. Junior Cynthia Perez (Middle Village, N.Y. / Christ the King) recorded eight points, two rebounds, and one steal.
For the Purple Knights, Samnell Vonleh recorded 12 points, eight rebounds and one block. Kayla Hill added 11 points, four rebounds, and one block.
The Mavericks got off to a slow start in the first quarter, allowing the Purple Knights to gain a 14-2 lead in the first five minutes of action. Clark was able to slow the momentum by sinking a three point shot off of an assist from sophomore Holly Sanders (Chicago, Ill./ Simeon Career Academy) at the 4:37 mark. A strong Mavericks defense would hold Bridgeport to scoring just two more points in the remainder of play compared to the Mavericks nine points. A layup from freshman Amber Brown (South Brunswick, N.J. / South Brunswick) in the final five seconds would leave the Mavericks trailing 16-14 entering the second quarter.
Junior Chi-la Bady (Valley Stream, N.Y. / Francis Lewis) opened up scoring for the second quarter, sinking a jumper off of a pass from freshman Anna Zaborowska (Copiague, N.Y. / Copiague) at the 8:16 mark. The Mavericks were able to record six unanswered points before the Purple Knights were able to record a basket in the second quarter. Perez led the Mavericks with eight points for the remainder of the quarter, allowing the Mavericks to enter halftime with a 29-27 lead.
The Purple Knights opened up the third quarter scoring 11 unanswered points to give them the 38-29 lead with 6:49 left to play. Bady was able to get the Mavericks on the board by executing a three point play. The Mavericks continued to fight but struggled offensively in the third quarter, only scoring eight points compared to the Purple Knights 24 points. Mercy entered the final quarter trailing 51-37.
Collier led the Mavericks offensively in the final quarter, recording six of the nine points scored by the Mavericks. Despite three successful three pointers from Mercy, they were unable to overcome the deficit and eventually fell 64-46 to the Purple Knights.
Mercy shot 27.4 percent (17-of-62) from the floor, 30.4 percent (7-of-23) from downtown and 55.6 percent (5-of-9) from the foul line. Bridgeport shot 34.4 percent (22-of-64) from the field, 26.3 percent (5-of-19) from beyond the arc and 75.0 percent (15-of-20) from the charity stripe.
Head Coach Jim Harter and the Mavericks look to get back in the win column when they travel to Daemen College for an East Coast Conference matchup on Friday, January 26th at 6 p.m.
