Box Score California, PA- The Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team traveled to California, PA this afternoon to take on the Vulcans of Cal U. and came up short of a win, losing 65-56. The Lakers are now 16-10 overall and 12-8 in PSAC play.
How it Happened:
The two teams traded baskets to open the game, as Bailey Kuhns and Julia Buchman found the scoresheet. Allyson Ross and Danielle Grim got going midway through the quarter as well to help the Lakers build a 14-10 lead. Kuhns and Grim remained aggressive as the first quarter ended, holding on to a two-point lead.
The Vulcans caught fire in the second quarter, scoring 12 quick ones to take a 6-point lead midway through the frame. Just as Cal looked as if they were going to blow it open, Bailey Kuhns answered to keep the game at 10 heading into halftime, 32-22.
As the second half got underway, Allyson Ross and Jenn Van Schaik converted to put the deficit to single digits. Ross then hit two free-throws before a Danielle Grim three pointer, which put the Vulcan lead to just 4. Maria McConnell and Bailey Kuhns then found the nylon to keep the lead to just two possessions, but the Vulcans pushed it to 48-40 to end the quarter.
Van Schaik and Kuhns got the Lakers rolling in the 4th, but Cal responded with a couple buckets of their own. Paige Woodford then hit a three to bring the deficit to just 5 with 3 minutes left to play. A crucial conversion by the Vulcans put the game out of reach with under a minute left as Cal escaped with the home victory, 65-56.
Highlights:
Danielle Grim was relentless in the first half, totaling 8 points to go along with 6 rebounds. The Lakers were efficient from within the paint but shot just 1-9 from beyond the arc in the first half.
Bailey Kuhns and Danielle Grim led all Laker scorers with 15 and 13 points respectively. Grim also recorded 11 boards to tally another double-double on the year.
The PSAC West standings remain tight. For a full look, please visit here.
Up Next:
The Lakers now only have two regular season games remaining. Mercyhurst will travel to Clarion University on Wednesday, February 28th, before hosting Slippery Rock on Saturday, March 2nd.
