DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Powered by the first career double-double from sophomore Sophia Hoyt (Middle Village, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy), the Mercy University Women's Basketball Team earned their seventh straight win with a 66-50 win over ECC foe College of Staten Island on Saturday afternoon at the Judge Athletic Center.
The Mavericks (12-5, 6-1 ECC) have won seven games in a row for the first time since the 2023-24 season and are off their best ECC start since the 2021-22 season. Mercy continues their best start since the 1985-86 season and sweep the season series with the Dolphins (7-11, 3-4 ECC) for the first time since the 2021-22 season.
The first quarter opened with Mercy capitalizing on defensive rebounds to keep the score tight. Shonyae Edmonds scored the first points for the Dolphins with a layup at 7:28, but Hoyt quickly responded with a layup of her own at 5:47. Later, junior Grace Lesko's (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) fast-break layup at 2:25, assisted by Hoyt, helped the Mavericks keep pace. In the final seconds, Lesko scored a critical layup at 0:04 and completed a three-point play with a successful free throw, giving the Mavericks a 12-9 lead at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, Lesko made a significant contribution from the free-throw line, adding four points, while Hoyt and junior Amani Abuhatab (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) each added two free throws to maintain a narrow lead. Staten Island's Arielle Barnes and Giuliana Dito kept the Dolphins close with a jumper and a 3-pointer, respectively. In the final minute, junior Molly Boek (Saugerties, N.Y./Saugerties) scored a crucial layup with an assist from sophomore Caitlin Leary (Carle Place, N.Y./Carle Place) and followed up with another layup with just three seconds remaining, tying the score at 23-23 to end the quarter.
Mercy surged ahead in the third quarter, opening with an 8-0 run, capped off by a sophomore Morgan Miller (Branford, Conn./Sacred Heart Academy) layup, making it 31-23. Miller extended the lead to 35-25 at 5:31 with a fast-break layup, assisted by Abuhatab. Despite a late 3-pointer by Dana Phelan for the Dolphins, the Mavericks closed the quarter strong, with Abuhatab scoring the final basket with 6 seconds remaining, securing a 47-36 lead into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, the Mavericks secured a 66-50 victory over the Dolphins with a strong performance on both ends. Senior Angelina Barrera (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester Catholic) contributed significantly by going 4-for-4 from the free-throw line and assisting Hoyt's early layup at 8:54. Hoyt was also pivotal, scoring multiple layups, including a fast-break opportunity at 2:20, extending the Mavericks' lead. Staten Island's Kyra Rose managed to score both at the line and from inside the paint, but the Dolphins were unable to close the gap as the Mavericks maintained control throughout the quarter.
Hoyt led the Mavericks with a career-high 15 points and 13 rebounds, while also recording six steals. Abuhatab scored 12 points, added two steals, and secured five rebounds. Lesko contributed 14 points and made six of seven free throws, finishing with nine rebounds. Miller added 10 points and grabbed three rebounds. Barrera recorded eight points and six rebounds and Boek added seven points.
Rose led the Dolphins with 21 points, while also contributing six rebounds and four assists. Edmonds added a solid performance with 10 points, 12 rebounds, and three steals.
Mercy shot 37.3 percent (22-of-59) from the floor, 0.0 percent (0-of-8) from downtown and 75.9 percent (22-of-29) from the foul line. Staten Island shot 29.9 percent (20-of-67) from the field, 15.4 percent (2-of-13) from beyond the arc and 61.5 percent (8-of-13) from the charity stripe. Staten Island held a 47-43 edge on the glass.
Head Coach Scott Lagas and the Mavericks resume action on Wednesday, January 21st when they host Queens at 5 p.m.
