WASHINGTON, D.C. – Powered by four Mavericks scoring in double figures, the Mercy University Women's Basketball Team earned a convincing 75-50 win at ECC foe University of the District of Columbia on Wednesday night.

The Mavericks (11-5, 5-1 ECC) have won six games in a row for the first time since the 2023-24 season and continue their best start since the 1985-86 season. Mercy is off to their best ECC start since 2022 when they started 6-0. The 25-point win over the Firebirds (5-11, 1-5 ECC) is the largest margin of victory over UDC in program history. Mercy has won all six games during their winning streak by double digits. The Mavericks sweep the season series with the Firebirds for the second straight year.

The game began with sophomore Morgan Miller (Branford, Conn./Sacred Heart Academy) scoring a layup at 9:47, setting the pace for a closely contested first quarter. UDC responded with strong play, establishing a seven-point lead at 7:43 following a 3-pointer by Nhaikyia Smith. Senior Angelina Barrera (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester Catholic) was pivotal in narrowing the gap with multiple plays, including a layup and free throw combination at 7:11. Late in the quarter, sophomore Sophia Hoyt's (Middle Village, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) 3-pointer at 1:47 cut the UDC lead to one, 15-14. The Mavericks managed to edge ahead before the buzzer, with junior Grace Lesko's (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) layup at 22 seconds giving them a 17-15 lead heading into the second quarter.

Mercy extended its lead in the second quarter with a strong performance from beyond the arc. Sophomore Caitlin Leary (Carle Place, N.Y./Carle Place) nailed a 3-pointer at 8:30, assisted by Lesko, to widen the gap. Junior Paige Fourtin (Ansonia, Conn./Greens Farms Academy) followed with another three at 6:53, with Miller providing the assist. Junior Amani Abuhatab (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) closed the quarter with a 3-pointer at 0:15, assisted by Barrera, giving the Mavericks a 35-25 lead over the Firebirds. Mercy's defense held strong, with senior Megan Marcotte (Enfield, Conn./Enfield) securing multiple defensive rebounds, helping maintain their advantage.

Mercy extended their lead with a strong performance in the third quarter, highlighted by a 3-pointer from Abuhatab just three seconds in, assisted by Hoyt, putting them ahead 38-25. Lesko added to the lead with a 3-pointer at 8:26, assisted by Marcotte, pushing the score to 43-27. Leary's fast-break 3-pointer at 1:35 further widened the gap to 52-33, with Barrera providing the assist. The Firebirds managed to score 13 points in the quarter, with Aiyana Ellis contributing a layup and two free throws, but Mercy maintained a comfortable 52-38 lead by the end.

Mercy secured a commanding victory over the Firebirds with a dominant performance in the fourth quarter. Lesko was instrumental, contributing two free throws early on and later adding a 3-pointer at 3:00. Miller's consistent play included a layup and two free throws, which helped extend Mercy's lead. Barrera also made an impact with a layup at 5:51, assisted by Lesko. Mercy outscored District Columbia 23-12 in the final quarter, with sophomore Haylee Ellwood (Rockville Centre, N.Y./Daemen University) capping the scoring with a 3-pointer at 0:47, ensuring a decisive win.

Miller scored 16 points and added two rebounds and one assist in a solid performance. Lesko tallied a game-high 18 points, including three 3-pointers, and contributed six rebounds and six assists. Barrera recorded 13 points and eight rebounds while posting a career-high seven assists. Abuhatab added 11 points with three 3-pointers and grabbed two rebounds. Leary contributed a season-high six points.

Smith led the Firebirds with 11 points, adding eight rebounds and three assists. Ellis contributed a team-high 15 points, secured nine rebounds, and blocked two shots.

Mercy shot 50.0 percent (24-of-48) from the floor, a season-high 57.9 percent (11-of-19) from downtown and 72.7 percent (16-of-22) from the foul line. The 11 made threes are a season high. UDC shot 29.5 percent (18-of-61) from the field, 9.1 percent (1-of-11) from beyond the arc and 81.3 percent (13-of-16) from the charity stripe. Mercy held a 37-34 edge on the glass.

Head Coach Scott Lagas and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, January 17th when they host Staten Island at 12 p.m.