Erie, PA – The Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team hosted the Allegheny College Gators for the first time in 37 years. The last time these two sides met, they were both a part of the Women's Keystone Conference when Allegheny won. This time, the Lakers pulled away with a 71-52 victory to snap their four game losing streak.
How it Happened
The first quarter began with a
Bailey Kuhns layup. This was the first two of Kuhn's 16 points on the night. The Lakers had a nine-point lead midway through the quarter before the Gators started chipping away at that deficit. Bella Antonacci scored the final points of the quarter off a jumper to make the score 17-14 in favor of the Lakers.
The second quarter started similar to the first, with a
Bailey Kuhns layup. A few minutes later, Ava Kobus of the Gators hit a three that gave the team some confidence going forward. Back and forth action between both sides resulted in a 33-27 scoreline heading into the locker rooms at halftime.
It took nearly two minutes before either team scored in the third quarter. Kuhns rebounded her own shot and followed it up with a made layup to get the Lakers going. The Gators were scoring points, but the Lakers were following those points up with some of their own. After
Singo Lekeuneu scored a layup with three minutes to go, both teams would be held scoreless for the remainder of the third. The score was 47-39 and the Gators felt as if they could pull off the upset.
The lack of baskets in the final three minutes of the third quarter quickly disappeared as both teams got off to a hot start to the fourth quarter.
Bailey Kuhns scored the first points of the quarter as she sank a three-pointer that had the home bench up off their feet. Then, the Gators ran down the court and Bella Antonacci hit a three of her own. At one point in the quarter, the Gators only trailed by seven points. However, the Lakers kept dominating offensively and capitalizing on their chances. A contest with 37 total turnovers ended up falling in favor of the Lakers as they leave 2024 victorious by a score of 71-52.
Highlights
Jenna Van Schaik led the team in points with 22. This matches her season and career high earlier this season against Xavier University.
Bailey Kuhns scored 13+ points for the eleventh consecutive game this season.
The Lakers did not trail the entire game.
Bella Antonacci led the Gators with 15 points and six rebounds.
Up Next
The Lakers begin the new year with a trip to North Easton, Massachusetts for their first NEC matchup of the season. Tipoff for this game against Stonehill College will take place Thursday, January 2nd at 7:00 PM. Viewers can find live coverage on the NEC Front Row.
