Down by 13 points with just over 5 minutes left, the Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team showed no quit as they clawed back to within 2 points, but could not close the gap in their first PSAC game of the season at Shippensburg.
Mercyhurst benefited from 44 percent shooting from the floor, including 42 percent from beyond the arc, in the final quarter to cut down the deficit.
The first run of points from Mercyhurst was aided by layups from Emily Shopene and Meghan Komendarek as well as a pair of made free-throws by Julia Buchman. That cut the Shippensburg lead to seven points temporarily, but they would get a pair back before a three-pointer by Komendarek at the 3-minute mark made it a six-point game.
The Raiders showed they had life left as they responded with five points to stretch back out their lead, but Mercyhurst cut back in with a three-pointer from Buchman and a pair of free-throws from Shopene. The Lakers made the most of their few free-throw opportunities, going 11-for-14 at the line during the game.
The Lakers were forced to turn to the foul game in the final 90 seconds, and Destiny Jefferson obliged with a pair of made free-throws to give the Raiders back an eight-point lead. Buchman sank a pair of three-pointers, sandwiching two missed Shippensburg free-throws, to put the Lakers within two, but a steal by Jefferson with 9 seconds left sealed Mercyhurst's fate.
Buchman led all scorers with 23 points as well as with five three-pointers on the night. Shopene posted a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds, and Grace Centrulla finished with 10 points next to her name. That trio as well as Lauren Klare finished with a steal apiece.
Mercyhurst held a narrow 25-24 edge after the first quarter, but defense prevailed in the second frame and the teams entered the locker room knotted up at 38-38. The Shippensburg defense continued to shine in the third quarter while their offense picked up, giving the Raiders a 59-50 lead heading into the final quarter.
Up Next
Mercyhurst will travel with the men's team for another doubleheader Saturday, this time at Lock Haven University. Both teams will be playing for their first conference win, as the Bald Eagles lost to Edinboro, 59-48, in their PSAC opener Friday night.
