NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Despite juniors Amani Abuhatab (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) and Grace Lesko (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) scoring in double figures, the Mercy University Women's Basketball Team dropped a 70-56 decision at Southern Connecticut State University on Sunday afternoon at James Moore Fieldhouse.

The Mavericks (1-1) suffer their first loss of the season and fall to the Owls (2-0) for the second straight year.

Mercy and Southern Conn. St. began the first quarter with a back-and-forth exchange of baskets. Senior Kyla Nembach (Lynbrook, N.Y./Lynbrook) opened the scoring with a jumper for Mercy, while Taeya Steinauer quickly responded with a layup for Southern Conn. St. Nembach also contributed a three-pointer at the 8:32 mark, assisted by Abuhatab, to keep Mercy ahead. Southern Conn. St. briefly took the lead with Maya Henry's three-pointer at the 3:00 mark. However, a late jumper by Abuhatab with just four seconds remaining in the quarter ensured Mercy held a narrow 16-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Southern Connecticut State took control in the second quarter, outscoring Mercy 17-9. Mercy initially went ahead with sophomore Haylee Ellwood's (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Daemen University) jumper with 8:15 remaining, assisted by sophomore Caitlin Leary (Carle Place, N.Y./Carle Place). However, SCSU responded with a decisive run, including a three-pointer by Taeya Steinauer at 5:20, putting them ahead 22-20. Abuhatab contributed consistently, scoring a jumper and converting free throws, but Southern Connecticut's late three-pointer by Steinauer, assisted by Jillian Martin, extended their lead to 31-25 at halftime.

Abuhatab's layup at 8:55 brought Mercy within six points, 33-27, as they narrowed Southern Conn. St.'s lead. Nembach then hit a jumper, followed by Lesko's three-pointer and sophomore Sophia Hoyt's (Middle Village, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) three-pointer, cutting the deficit to two, 37-35, with 5:09 left in the quarter. Southern Conn. St. responded with a three-pointer from Rheyna Steinauer, but Mercy continued to pressure with Leary and sophomore Morgan Miller (Branford, Conn./Sacred Heart Academy) adding crucial points. Despite Mercy's 19-point effort in the quarter, Southern Conn. St. maintained a narrow lead, ending the period ahead 48-44.

Southern Connecticut State secured a 70-56 victory over Mercy, holding a consistent lead throughout the final quarter. Miller put Mercy on the board early with a layup at 9:28 and added a free throw at 8:13, but Southern Connecticut State's Hope Fox countered with a three-pointer at 7:27. Jillian Martin contributed significantly with a layup and an assist, pushing the home team's lead to 55-47. Despite efforts from Lesko, who scored a layup at 6:08, and Ellwood's successful free throws at 0:53, Southern Connecticut State maintained control with effective free throw shooting, including crucial points from Fox and Martin in the closing minutes.

Abuhatab led Mercy with a game-high-tying 17 points, adding five rebounds and two steals. Lesko contributed 12 points and collected seven rebounds. Nembach posted five assists and scored seven points. Miller recorded two steals and scored five points.

Rheyna Steinauer contributed a game-high-tying 17 points. Martin added 12 points and distributed 10 assists. Tisharona Blackwood was dominant on the boards, collecting 13 rebounds along with two steals.

Mercy shot 41.7 percent (20-of-48) from the floor, 21.4 percent (3-of-14) from downtown and 68.4 percent (13-of-19) from the foul line. Southern Connecticut State shot 40.7 percent (24-of-59) from the field, 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from beyond the arc and 66.7 percent (16-of-24) from the charity stripe. The Owls held a 41-31 edge on the glass and a 28-9 edge in points off turnovers.

Head Coach Scott Lagas and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, November 19th when they host Adelphi in their home opener at 5 p.m.