BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (Nov. 26, 2024) – Powered by four Mavericks scoring in double figures, the Mercy University women's basketball team earned a 75-55 win at University of Bridgeport on Tuesday night at Harvey Hubbell Gymnasium.
The Mavericks (3-3) have won two games in a row and defeat the Purple Knights (0-6) for the third straight year. The 20-point victory over Bridgeport is the largest margin of victory over the Purple Knights in 53 all-time meetings.
Mercy was led by sophomore Amani Abuhatab (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) who had a game-high 20 points on 8-of-13 shooting with five rebounds. Junior Angelina Barrera (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester Catholic) added 15 points on 11-of-12 shooting from the foul line with six rebounds and senior Kayla Halvorsen (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y./Dobbs Ferry) chipped in a season-high 12 points on 4-of-4 shooting from downtown. Sophomore Molly Boek (Saugerties, N.Y./Saugerties) recorded 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting with five rebounds in 12 minutes of action and sophomore Grace Lesko (Northampton, Pa./Northampton Area) netted seven points. Senior Jaclyn Stanavich (Amsterdam, N.Y./Amsterdam) had six points and freshman Morgan Miller (Branford, Conn./Sacred Heart Academy) finished with three points. Freshman Caitlin Leary (Carle Place, N.Y./Carle Place) tallied two points.
Bridgeport was led by Harmony Earth-Wiley who had a team-high 16 points.
The Purple Knights held a 5-2 lead at the 7:56 mark of the first quarter before Mercy closed the quarter with a 17-4 run, capped off by a Barrera layup, to take a 19-9 lead after the first quarter.
The Mavericks scored the first seven points of the second quarter to take a 26-9 lead at the 7:33 mark, following an Abuhatab jumper. Bridgeport later cut the Mercy lead to 11, 34-23, with 1:16 left in the half. A Lesko free throw and jumper made it 37-23 and a late Niyah Whitten free throw cut Mercy's lead to 13, 37-24, at halftime.
Mercy held a 41-27 lead following two Barrera free throws with 6:18 left in the third quarter. The Purple Knights scored the next 10 points to cut the Mavericks lead to four, 41-37, with 3:29 on the clock. Mercy closed the quarter on a 14-4 run, finished off by a Halvorsen three at the buzzer, to give the Mavericks a 55-41 lead after three quarters.
The Mavericks started the fourth quarter on a 15-6 run to take a 23-point lead, 70-47, with 4:17 left after a Halvorsen three. A Miller free throw at the 1:15 mark gave Mercy a game-high 24-point lead, 75-51. Bridgeport scored the final four points of the game to make it 75-55, but it was not enough, and the Mavericks earned the 75-55 road win.
Mercy shot a season-high 53.1 percent (26-of-49) from the floor, 40.0 percent (8-of-20) from downtown and 78.9 percent (15-of-19) from the foul line. Bridgeport shot 30.8 percent (16-of-52) from the field, 41.7 percent (5-of-12) from beyond the arc and 58.1 percent (18-of-31) from the charity stripe. Mercy held a 38-33 edge on the glass.
Head Coach Scott Lagas and the Mavericks resume action on Sunday, December 1st when they host No. 20 Assumption at 12 p.m.
