RIVERDALE, N.Y. (Jan. 6, 2018) – Powered by a team high 14 points from junior Cynthia Perez (Middle Village, N.Y. / Christ the King), the Mercy College women's basketball team earned a 53-51 victory over the Firebirds of the University of the District of Columbia in an ECC matchup on Saturday afternoon at the Peter Sharp Center.  

The Mavericks (5-10, 1-5 ECC) have won two of their last three games and surpass their win total from last season, while the Firebirds (2-12, 0-5 ECC) remain winless in ECC play.

The Mavericks were led by Perez, who also recorded three rebounds, one assist and block, and one steal. Sophomore Caralie Wilson (Gold Coast, Australia / John Paul College) added 13 points, four steals, three rebounds, one block and one assist. Senior Latisha Clark (Peekskill, N.Y. / Peekskill) contributed a team high 11 rebounds, recorded nine points and added one assist and one block.

Leading the Firebirds was Daeja Quick, who finished with a game high 16 points, while also recording six rebounds, four assists, two steals and one block. Tyra Coombs led the Firebird defense with thirteen rebounds while also adding two assists and four points.

Wilson opened up the game hitting a three point shot off of an assist from junior Chi-la Bady (Valley Streak, N.Y. / Francis Lewis) at the 8:55 mark. The Mavericks were able to build upon their lead with a layup from sophomore Holly Sanders (Chicago, ILL. / Simeon Career Academy), followed by two successful free throw shots from Wilson to put the Mavericks up 7-0. The Firebirds were able to get on the board with help from Mia-Alexis Lloyd, who recorded five unanswered points to bring the score to 7-5. The quarter remained a back and forth battle, with the quarter coming to a close with the Firebirds holding a 12-11 lead. Wilson led the Mavericks in the first period with five points, including shooting 2-of-2 from the charity stripe. Bady kept the Mavericks offense going as she was able to grab two rebounds and dish out two assists.

The Firebirds were the first to get on the board in the second quarter, as Natalija Dubrovina hit a jumper at the 8:01 mark. UDC was able to record another successful shot until Bady was able to hit a free throw to start up the Mavericks offense. Just one minute later, Clark was able to convert a three point play off of a Firebirds foul to bring the score to 16-14. A successful free throw from Danielle Harrington would put the Firebirds ahead 17-15, until Bady's layup at the 6:03 mark would tie the game at 17-17. Six unanswered points from the Firebirds would give them a 23-17 lead with 3:44 left to play in the quarter. The Mavericks continued to fight, and would trail the University of District of Columbia just 28-24 entering halftime.

The Firebirds were able to score a quick four points in the opening of the third quarter, before Wilson was able to put the Mavericks on the board with a successful free throw. A steal from Wilson would later set Bady up for a three point shot at the 8:41 mark. Perez would score the next seven points for the Mavericks, bringing them back into the game with a score of 38-35 with 2:14 to go. A three point shot from freshman Anna Zaborowska (Copiague, N.Y. / Copiague), followed by a successful free throw from Perez would put the Mavericks within two points entering the final quarter.

Clark opened up the scoring of the final quarter with a layup at the 7:31 mark to tie the score 41-41. The Firebirds were able to score six unanswered points before Perez stopped the run at the 5:22 mark with a successful layup. Wilson then scored five unanswered points to give the Mavericks a 48-47 lead with 3:57 to go in the quarter. The Firebirds would tie the game up at 51-51 with 1:23 remaining. The teams traded scoreless possessions before the Mavericks called a timeout with 46 seconds left with the ball. Wilson would drain a layup with 34 seconds left to put Mercy ahead 53-51, leading to a UDC timeout. Out of the timeout, the Mavericks would stop the Firebirds leading to their first conference win of the season.

The Mavericks shot 26.2 percent (17-of-65) from the floor, 28.6 percent (8-of-28) from beyond the arc and 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from the foul line. The Firebirds shot 32.8 percent (21-of-64) from the floor, 13.0 percent (3-of-23) from behind the arc, and 54.5 percent (6-of-11) from the charity stripe.

Head Coach Jim Harter and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, January 10th when they travel to Queens College for a 5:30 p.m. tip off.