SPARKILL, N.Y. (Jan. 3, 2018) – Despite a team high 15 points from sophomore Caralie Wilson (Gold Coast, Australia / John Paul College), the Mercy College women's basketball team fell to ECC foe No. 21/RV St. Thomas Aquinas College, 82-50, at Aquinas Hall Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.
The Mavericks (4-10, 0-5) drop their fifth East Coast Conference matchup, while the Spartans (12-1, 4-0) have won their last two contests.
The Mavericks were led by Wilson, who also recorded six rebounds, one assist and one steal. Junior Cynthia Perez (Middle Village, N.Y. / Christ the King) added eight points, two rebounds, two blocks and one steal for the Mavericks. Junior Chi-la Bady (Valley Stream, N.Y. / Francis Lewis) also added eight points whole contributing two rebounds and one assist. Freshman Anna Zaborowska (Copiague, N.Y. / Copiague) added six rebounds, three steals, four points, and one assist for the Mavericks.
The Spartans were led by Alex Bertolino, who recorded a game high 18 points and also added eight steals, three rebounds and two assists. Chelsea Murphy finished the night with fourteen points, three rebounds, three assists and one steal.
The Spartans took an early lead in the first quarter, jumping out to a 9-0 lead in the first two minutes of action. Wilson put the Mavericks on the board with a successful jumper at the 7:29 mark. The Spartans were able to score eight unanswered points to give them 17-2 lead until Wilson was able to sink a three pointer to improve the Mavericks points to five. The Spartans were able to record ten more points in the final four minutes, giving them a 27-6 lead entering the second period.
Freshman Amber Brown (South Brunswick, N.J. / South Brunswick) put the Mavericks on the board for the start of the second period, sinking a successful free throw in the first minute of play. The Spartans continued to put the offensive pressure on, until Perez was able to execute on a successful fast break layup at the 7:32 mark, with a successful free throw shot just one minute later. The Spartans would be able to record another three pointer, before Perez was fouled on the shot and sunk two more free throws to bring the score to 36-13 with 6:02 left to play. The Mavericks were able to record 13 points in the remaining six minutes, sending them into halftime down 47-26.
The Spartans opened up scoring in the second half, recording four quick points in the first 40 seconds of action. Perez responded with a three point shot to keep the Mavericks fight alive. St. Thomas Aquinas was able to score three more points before senior Latisha Clark (Peekskill, N.Y./Peekskill) went 2-of-2 from the foul line to five the Mavericks a 54-31 deficit. The remainder of the quarter was a back and forth battle, with the Spartans entering the final quarter with a score of 60-35.
Despite fifteen points from the Mavericks in the final quarter, they were unable to overcome the Spartans and eventually fell 82-50.
The Mavericks shot 29.3 percent (12-of-41) from the floor, 18.8 percent (3-of-16) from beyond the arc and 65.7 percent (23-of-35) from the foul line. St. Thomas Aquinas College shot 47.8 percent (33-of-69) from the floor, 26.9 percent (7-of-26) from behind the arc, and 66.67 percent (9-of-13) from the charity stripe.
Head Coach Jim Harter and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, January 6th when they take on University of District of Columbia at 3 p.m. at the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
