Greensburg, PA- The Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team took on another PSAC West foe this afternoon as they traveled to Greensburg, PA in search of a victory over Seton Hill. Battling the top ranked offense in the PSAC West, the Lakers fell short of the Griffins, 66-62,
How it Happened
The Lakers won the tip to start the game, but the Griffins got on the board first, as they took an early 5-0 lead. Bailey Kuhns then hit a floater in the paint to get the Lakers going. Danielle Grim ripped a Griffin ball handler on the defensive end and took it coast to coast before shoveling a beautiful pass to Lauren Klare for an easy lay in. Midway through the quarter, Jenna Van Schaik and Bailey Kuhns found nylon to give Mercyhurst a 9-7 lead. Jenna Van Schaik then extended the lead towards the end of the first quarter with another corner three, this time from the opposite corner. The top ranked offense in the PSAC West wasn't much of a threat for the Lakers in the first quarter as the team took an 18-12 lead after one.
Bailey Kuhns continued to dominate the paint to start the 2nd quarter as she bullied a defender for an easy lay in. A series of turnovers compounded Mercyhurst's ability to extend the lead, which allowed the Griffins to stay in the game. Seton Hill brought the deficit to 2 points, but Danielle Grim answered, with a corner three to extend the lead back to two possessions, 23-18. Grace Clary provided great minutes in the quarter as well, hitting a runner off the glass to keep the Lakers in control. The Griffin offense seemed to find their footing midway through the 2nd quarter as they began going back and forth with the Lakers. As the horn sounded for halftime, the Lakers led 32-26 after a huge three from Lauren Klare before the buzzer.
Shooting 48% in the first half, the Lakers were led by Bailey Kuhns who posted 10 points. Jenna Van Schaik chipped in with 8 points in the half.
To start the second half, Seton Hill again cut the lead to one possession. The Lakers were held scoreless for the first two minutes of the quarter, until Julia Buchman converted a pair of free throws. Midway through the quarter the Griffins took the lead, 36-34, but Grace Clary didn't let them enjoy it for long as she hit a three to gain back the advantage. Clary did it again on the next possession, cashing another long ball to give the Lakers a 2-point lead. A scoring drought, paired with a small run from the Griffins to end the third, saw the lead interchange between the two squads as it finally remained tied heading into the fourth.
Early in the fourth, the Griffins took a one possession lead. Danielle Grim then knocked down a pair of free throws to tie the game at 53. Grim also knocked down a huge three ball from the top of the key before hitting a baseline jumper to give Mercyhurst a 2-point lead with 6 minutes left. Bailey Kuhns tied the game once again with just under 3 minutes left to play with an elbow jumper. The tie was then broken as the Griffs made two free throws and converted a layup to make the score 64-60. As time expired, Seton Hill controlled the ball and scored late in the shot clock to extend the lead to two possessions with only 5 seconds left.
Highlights
Despite the loss, Bailey Kuhns had a solid performance recording 21 points and 16 rebounds. There hasn't been a 15+ rebound performance since February of 2021.
Daniell Grim also tallied 14 points and 9 rebounds in the loss. Jenna Van Schaik chipped in with 10 in defeat.
Up Next
The Lakers will now prepare for an Erie Showdown as they take on the Gannon Knights on Wednesday, January 24th. Due to renovations occurring at the Hammermill Center, the Knights will host the Lakers at the Hagerty Family Events Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 PM.
