Erie, PA- In search of a much-needed victory, the Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team used a balanced attack to soar past the Golden Eagles of Clarion University by a score of 63-55. Clarion remains winless on the year and the Lakers move to 13-6 overall and 9-4 in conference play. Mercyhurst will finish out the week on the road as they travel to Slippery Rock and UPJ later this week.
How it Happened
Clarion took an early lead to start the game, but it didn't last long, as Danielle Grim knocked down a three from the wing to give the Lakers the advantage. Two threes by the Golden Eagles gave them back the lead until Ava Waid and Maria McConnell stopped the run with jumpers of their own. Ava Waid started to leave her mark on the first quarter after converting another floater and finding Paige Woodford for a three to give Mercyhurst a 14-12 lead heading into the second quarter.
Clarion refused to go away to begin the second quarter as they climbed back to take an 18-17 lead. After knocking down a three from the top of the key, Bailey Kuhns converted three the hard way to regain the lead, 20-18. The Golden Eagles responded once again, knocking down another three to take a one-point lead with only three minutes left in the half. A short burst by the Lakers gave them a 3-point lead heading into halftime, 29-26.
Bailey Kuhns led the Lakers in the first half with 10 points and 4 rebounds. Maria McConnell chipped in with 5 points in the half.
The Laker offense came out hot to start the second half as Paige Woodford and Bailey Kuhns hit shots on back-to-back possessions. The Golden Eagles responded with four points of their own to keep the deficit to three, 33-30. Another three point play the old-fashioned way, converted by Bailey Kuhns, extended the Mercyhurst lead to 5 with four minutes left to play in the third. A kick out by Bailey Kuhns then allowed Grace Clary to hit one from beyond the arc to give the Lakers some breathing room, 41-33. The flood gates seemed to open after that, as Daniell Grim knocked down a floater and immediately stole the inbound and found Allyson Ross for a lay-up to bring the lead to 11.
In the opening half of the final frame the double-digit lead remained firm for Mercyhurst. Grace Clary hit a big shot from the corner off a pretty pass from Allyson Ross. Danielle Grim then got to the rim for a converted and-one. The double-digit lead continued to grow as the Mercyhurst defense refused to let up. A small run by the Golden Eagles was quickly mitigated by Danielle Grim who scored on back-to-back possessions in the final two minutes to secure the win for the Lakers.
Highlights
Brooklyn Kohlheim didn't let her bench go to waste this evening as every player stepped foot on the hardwood in what was a competitive game going into the fourth quarter. The relentless attack eventually exhausted the Golden Eagles as the game entered the 4th quarter.
Bailey Kuhns once again led the Lakers, posting another double-double with 15 points and 13 rebounds.
Danielle Grim and Ava Waid also provided solid minutes contributing 12 and 7 points respectively.
Up Next
Mercyhurst will hit the road on Wednesday to take on Slippery Rock University. They will then head to the University of Pitt-Johnstown on Saturday, February 3rd. Wednesday's game is slated for 5:30 PM, while Saturday is scheduled for 1:00 PM.
