NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Powered by a career-high-tying 30 points from junior Grace Lesko (Northampton, Pa./Northampton), the Mercy University Women's Basketball Team opened their 2025-26 regular season with a 64-61 upset win over defending East Region Champion No. 10 Bentley University on Saturday night at James Moore Fieldhouse.
The Mavericks (1-0) earn their first-ever win over Bentley and earn their first ranked win under Head Coach Scott Lagas. Mercy opens their season with a win for the fourth straight season. The Falcons (0-1) open their season with a loss for the first time since 2019.
Mercy opened the first quarter by establishing a strong presence in the paint, scoring 14 points from close range. Lesko was instrumental, contributing with a series of layups and a critical 3-pointer at 1:11 to tie the game, demonstrating effective offensive support from senior Megan Marcotte (Enfield, Conn./Enfield) and sophomore Gabrielle Martin (Colonie, N.Y./Colonie Central). Despite trailing early, Mercy maintained momentum through solid defensive stops, including two blocks by Marcotte.
In the closing moments, Mercy kept the score tight with a jumper from Lesko at 0:22, reducing the deficit to one point. Bentley managed to edge ahead slightly by the end of the quarter, leading 21-20.
Mercy began the second quarter with a focus on closing the gap, highlighted by junior Molly Boek's (Saugerties, N.Y./Saugerties) layup assisted by sophomore Morgan Miller (Branford, Conn./Sacred Heart Academy), bringing the score to 22-21. Despite some turnovers, Mercy continued to fight back, as Lesko gave Mercy a 30-29 lead with a layup from Marcotte's assist.
In the latter half, junior Amani Abuhatab's (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) 3-pointer and consistent defensive rebounds by Martin and Lesko maintained the pressure. With only one second left, Marcotte's free throws brought the score back to a tie, closing the quarter at 36-36.
Mercy maintained a balanced attack in the third quarter, highlighted by Abuhatab's early three-pointer that secured a brief lead. The team's offensive efforts were bolstered by effective rebounding on the offensive end, securing six boards and converting on second-chance opportunities. Senior Kyla Nembach (Lynbrook, N.Y./Lynbrook) contributed with timely assists, keeping Mercy competitive in a quarter marked by multiple lead changes and ties.
Defensively, Mercy forced five turnovers and capitalized on Bentley's miscues, while Lesko's free throws tied the game late. Despite Bentley's scoring in the paint, Mercy matched them point-for-point, closing the quarter with both teams scoring 16 points each, leaving the score tied at 52-52 entering the final quarter.
Mercy began the fourth quarter with a strong defensive presence, highlighted by Marcotte's block at 9:49. Nembach's 3-pointer at 7:56 gave Mercy a pivotal advantage, extending their lead to 55–52. Despite turnovers, Mercy maintained composure with Lesko adding crucial free throws to make it 57–52.
Bentley responded by tying the score at 57, but Mercy regained the lead with a layup from Martin at 1:32. Abuhatab further solidified the lead with a layup in the final moments, increasing the score to 63–59. Mercy's defensive rebounding and free throw from Lesko in the closing seconds sealed the game, ending with a 64–61 victory.
Lesko led Mercy with a career-high-tying 30 points, going 10-of-14 from the floor with a game-high nine rebounds. Abuhatab contributed 15 points and Marcotte posted a strong defensive performance with four blocks and added six points and seven rebounds. Nembach facilitated the offense with three assists and added five points. Martin and Boek both added four points.
Julia Elie led Bentley with 13 points, while also contributing five rebounds and two blocks. Niya Morgen added 12 points, including two 3-pointers, and recorded one block. Cherish Bryant recorded 10 points.
Mercy shot 42.6 percent (23-of-54) from the floor, 42.9 percent (6-of-14) from downtown and 80.0 percent (12-of-15) from the foul line. Bentley shot 42.4 percent (28-of-66) from the field, 17.4 percent (4-of-23) from beyond the arc and 20.0 percent (1-of-5) from the charity stripe. Mercy held a 42-32 edge on the glass.
Head Coach Scott Lagas and the Mavericks resume action tomorrow when they play at Southern Connecticut State at 3:30 p.m.
