DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. – Powered by four Mavericks scoring in double figures, the Mercy University Women's Basketball Team earned their eighth straight win with a 76-60 win over ECC foe Queens College on Wednesday night at the Judge Athletic Center.
The Mavericks (13-5, 7-1 ECC) have won eight games in a row for the first time since the 2023-24 season and continue their best overall start since the 1985-86 season. The Mavericks have won all eight games during their winning streak by double-digit points. Mercy continues their best ECC start since the 2021-22 season. The Mavericks defeat the Knights (5-13, 2-5 ECC) for the fifth straight time.
Mercy began the game strongly, with senior Angelina Barrera (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester Catholic) scoring the first points at 9:22 with a jumper. Mercy capitalized on the Knights' turnovers, recording five steals in the first quarter. Junior Grace Lesko (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) contributed significantly from the free-throw line, making four out of five attempts. The Mavericks dominated the paint, scoring 10 points in that area. The quarter ended with junior Amani Abuhatab's (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) fast-break layup at 0:04, extending Mercy's lead to 20-8.
In the second quarter, Queens outscored Mercy 14-11, narrowing the deficit. Yinka Kruyswijk initiated the Knights' scoring with a fastbreak jumper at 9:01. Daja White contributed significantly, scoring twice in the final minutes, including a jumper at 1:42. Lesko closed the quarter with a three-pointer at 0:04, assisted by Abuhatab, maintaining a 31-22 lead for Mercy at halftime.
The Knights outscored Mercy 21-16 in a competitive third quarter. Nkiru Awaka led the charge for Queens with multiple layups, including a basket at 8:26, reducing Mercy's lead to five points. Senior Kyla Nembach (Lynbrook, N.Y./Lynbrook) kept Mercy in the game by hitting two crucial 3-pointers, with assists from Abuhatab, extending Mercy's advantage to 39-30 with 6:39 remaining. Despite a late push from the Knights, Mercy maintained a narrow lead, ending the quarter ahead 47-43, thanks in part to sophomore Morgan Miller's (Branford, Conn./Sacred Heart Academy) layup at the 49-second mark.
Mercy secured a decisive victory over Queens with a strong fourth quarter performance, outscoring their opponents 29-17. Nembach contributed early with two successful free throws at 9:35, extending Mercy's lead to 49-43. Sophomore Sophia Hoyt (Middle Village, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) capitalized on a fast break with a layup at 5:29, prompting the Knights to call a timeout. Abuhatab sealed the game with a three-pointer at the 7-second mark, assisted by senior Megan Marcotte (Enfield, Conn./Enfield), bringing the final score to 76-60.
Barrera led Mercy with 17 points, connecting on seven field goals and adding a career-high six blocks with six rebounds. Abuhatab contributed 14 points, including one three-pointer, and recorded six rebounds. Hoyt tallied 10 points, making 8-of-10 free throws, and collected four steals. Lesko finished with 16 points and a team-high seven rebounds, converting 11-of-12 from the free-throw line. Nembach recorded eight points and three assists and Miller added eight points.
Awaka led Queens with a game-high 20 points, converting 10-of-14 field goal attempts, and secured a game-high 12 rebounds. White added 15 points and dished out two assists.
Mercy shot 37.5 percent (21-of-56) from the floor, 33.3 percent (4-of-12) from downtown and 81.1 percent (30-of-37) from the foul line. Queens shot 42.2 percent (27-of-64) from the field, 14.3 percent (1-of-7) from beyond the arc and 71.4 percent (5-of-7) from the charity stripe. Queens held a 48-30 edge on the glass. Mercy used 25 Queens turnovers to hold a 22-6 edge in points off turnovers.
Head Coach Scott Lagas and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, January 24th when they play at Molloy at 12 p.m.
