Box Score Edinboro, PA- The Mercyhurst Women's Basketball team kicked off post season play this evening as they made the short trip west to Edinboro University. A back-and-forth game, which saw numerous lead changes, resulted in a loss for the Lakers, as they fell short of the Scot's, 63-62.
How it Happened
Edinboro got things started with a lob pass, which went for an easy lay in. Another back down layup made the score 4-0 in favor of the Scot's, but Allyson Ross answered right back with a corner three off a beautiful feed from Paige Woodford. Woodford then made a three pointer of her own to cut the lead to one-point midway through the first quarter. Jenna Van Schaik and Bailey Kuhns then got going offensively to keep the Lakers within one possession.
Julia Buchman gave Mercyhurst their first lead with two minutes left to go in the opening quarter and Danielle Grim and Allyson Ross scored 8 unanswered points to close out the quarter to give the Lakers a 5-point lead heading into the second frame.
Edinboro came out with some urgency to begin the second quarter, converting four straight points to cut the lead to one, but Julia Buchman answered with a three-point play to extend the lead back to 4, 26-22. Danielle Grim put a defender through a spin cycle to build the lead back to 6, but the Scot's fought back once again to keep the game at one possession. Danielle Grim and Allyson Ross then began to carry the Laker offense, as the two teams traded blows for the rest of the half. Edinboro gained the advantage heading into the break, 37-34.
Danielle Grim dominated the first half for the Lakers with 11 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Allyson Ross also recorded 8 points in the half.
The Fighting Scot's came out hot to start the second half, converting a three just seconds into the 3rd quarter. Bailey Kuhns and Julia Buchman answered with layups of their own to bring the deficit back to 2 points. Two possessions later Grace Clary cashed in a huge three to tie the game at 41 just before the media timeout. Danielle Grim continued to make herself known out of the media timeout, converting 5 straight and making light work of every defender thrown at her. With under a minute left in the 3rd, Julia Buchman put the Lakers up by three with a shot from beyond the arc, but the Scot's answered to make the game 51-50 heading into the 4th quarter.
Edinboro tied the game to start the fourth quarter, 51-51. Bailey Kuhns earned it back with another post up move to make it 53-51. The two teams continued to go back and forth through the thick of the fourth quarter as Edinboro eventually found some breathing room scoring 5 straight points to take a 63-58 lead. Danielle Grim converted two driving attempts with under a minute left to make it a one-point game. After a big stop, the Lakers called a timeout to draw up a play to win the game at the buzzer, but the attempt fell short, and Edinboro escaped with a 63-63 win.
Highlights
Danielle Grim was unreal tonight, totaling 20 points to go along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Allyson Ross and Julia Buchman were also steady for the Lakers totaling 11 and 10 points respectively.
