ROCKVILLE CENTRE, N.Y. – Powered by a game-high 21 points and the 100th career block from senior Angelina Barrera (Gloucester City, N.J./Gloucester Catholic), the Mercy University Women's Basketball Team earned their ninth straight win with a 71-54 win at ECC foe Molloy University on Saturday afternoon at Bob Houlihan Gymnasium.

The Mavericks (14-5, 8-1 ECC) have won nine games in a row for the first time since the 2023-24 season and continue their best start overall since the 1985-86 season. Mercy continues their best ECC start since the 2021-22 season and defeat the Lions (6-13, 4-4 ECC) for the sixth time out of the last seven meetings. The Mavericks have won all nine games during their winning streak by double-digit points. 

Mercy dominated early, taking control in the first quarter, with sophomore Sophia Hoyt's (Middle Village, N.Y./Archbishop Molloy) layup at 9:47 initiating the scoring. The Mavericks' defense was formidable, highlighted by senior Kyla Nembach's (Lynbrook, N.Y./Lynbrook) block and subsequent three-pointer, extending their lead. Barrera contributed significantly, notching multiple layups, including a fast-break at 6:29, as the Mavericks built a commanding advantage. Molloy struggled with turnovers, despite a late free-throw effort by Colleen McCullagh narrowing the gap to 23-9 by the quarter's end.

Mercy maintained their lead through the second quarter, highlighted by junior Grace Lesko's (Northampton, Pa./Northampton) seven points, including a three-point play at 6:16 that extended the score to 28-13. The Lions attempted to close the gap with Sophia Yearwood's fast-break layup at 2:48 and a three-pointer with 1:19 remaining, assisted by Rosa Rizzitelli, but the Mavericks' consistent scoring, including a jumper from senior Megan Marcotte (Enfield, Conn./Enfield) at 1:27, ensured their advantage. The quarter concluded with the Mavericks leading 39-23 after Lesko added a layup with 42 seconds left.

The Mavericks built on their lead in the third quarter with a series of successful plays, despite Molloy closing the gap slightly. Junior Amani Abuhatab (West Haven, Conn./West Haven) scored two key layups, including one at the 6:18 mark, contributing significantly to the Mavericks' 11-point quarter total. Barrera added a jumper at 7:36, with Lesko providing the assist. Defensively, the Mavericks were strong with three blocks, including one by Marcotte late in the quarter. Molloy managed to score 17 points in the quarter, featuring a layup from Jamie Davneiro at 2:24, but they still trailed, 50-40, heading into the final quarter.

Sophomore Morgan Miller (Branford, Conn./Sacred Heart Academy) initiated the final quarter with a fastbreak jumper, extending the Mavericks' lead to 52-40 over the Lions. Abuhatab's defensive prowess contributed significantly, capturing multiple rebounds and steals, while also adding a jumper at 3:51 that widened the gap to 60-46. Barrera was effective from the free-throw line, scoring four consecutive points to further solidify the Mavericks' lead. Lesko added a critical jumper at the one-minute mark, bringing the score to 66-52, and Abuhatab closed the game with two successful free throws, securing a decisive 71-54 victory for the Mavericks.

Barrera led the Mavericks with a game-high 21 points, converting 7-of-15 field goals, while also adding three blocks. Barrera recorded her 100th career block and now has 101 for her career, becoming the fifth Maverick in program history to reach the mark. Abuhatab scored 15 points and recorded four steals, contributing six rebounds and three assists. Lesko finished with 17 points, making 6-of-10 shots from the field, and dished out five assists along with two steals. Marcotte contributed defensively with two blocks and recorded four rebounds. Hoyt had six points and six rebounds and Nembach added three points, seven rebounds, four assists and two blocks.

McCullagh led Molloy with 18 points, hitting 7-of-18 from the field and a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line, while also grabbing four defensive rebounds. Yearwood contributed 12 points, connecting on 4-of-6 shots, including one 3-pointer, and added four assists and five rebounds.

Mercy shot 37.1 percent (23-of-62) from the floor, 15.4 percent (2-of-13) from downtown and 65.7 percent (23-of-35) from the foul line. Molloy shot 37.0 percent (20-of-54) from the field, 7.1 percent (1-of-14) from beyond the arc and 86.7 percent (13-of-15) from the charity stripe. Mercy held a 41-33 edge on the glass.

Head Coach Scott Lagas and the Mavericks resume action on Saturday, January 31st when they play at St. Thomas Aquinas at 1 p.m.