California, Pa.—The Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team was officially eliminated from playoff contention after a tough 75-54 loss to NR/RV California (Pa.) on Wednesday night.
How it Happened
Jayde Boyd got the scoring started with a jumper 30 seconds into the game but was matched quickly by Cal's Dejah Terrell. After Terrell added another two, Nicolette Arnold made a layup to tie the game again.
Grace Centrulla then nailed a jumper to give Mercyhurst a 6-4 lead, but the Vulcans answered with a 16-point run to take a commanding 20-6 lead. Centrulla finally broke the scoring streak with a layup with 10 seconds left in the first quarter, but Ciaira Loyd nailed a long three-pointer in the final second to give Cal a 23-8 lead.
The two teams went back to matching each other in the second quarter, but the Vulcans outscored Mercyhurst 22-15 to take a 45-23 lead into halftime.
After falling further behind, 66-39, after three quarters, the Lakers turned to the bench to finish things off. The team began to take advantage of early fouls by the Vulcans, giving Brittini Martin the opportunity to make three of four free-throws in the first two minutes.
Martin also nailed two free-throws late in the quarter, and the Lakers also received four points from freshman Ava Waid. Paige Woodford chimed in with a jumper late in the game as the Lakers outscored Cal 15-9, in the final frame, but the deficit was too large to overcome for Mercyhurst.
By the Numbers
Terrell led all scorers with 33 points and nearly made it a double-double with nine rebounds. Loyd finished with 16 points.
Boyd led the Lakers with 14 points, marking the third straight game she has led Mercyhurst in points. Martin was second on the team with nine points.
Coach's Corner
Up Next
The Lakers will officially end their season at home on Owen McCormick Court Saturday with a matchup against Slippery Rock at 1 p.m. When the two teams met last week, they delivered an exciting overtime game in which The Rock came out ahead 75-73.
