WALTHAM, MA – The Merrimack women’s basketball team
overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to defeat rival Bentley
University 70-68 Saturday afternoon at the Dana Center.
The Warriors trailed by 37-29 at the half but never gave up using
a 22-6 run to seize the lead. Led by seven early second-half points
from Amanda Shannon (North Andover, MA) and two
three-pointers from Casey Miller (Fairbanks, AK),
the Warriors stormed back to cut the deficit to one at 53-52. A
lay-up from Hannah DeGraffinreed (Raleigh, NC) put
the Warriors ahead for the first time since early in the first half
at 54-53. Sarah Benischek (Shrub Oak, NY) followed
with a three and Gennifer Roy (Granby, MA) drained
a jumper to extend the Warriors’ lead to six at 59-53,
forcing the Falcons to call for time after a remarkable 22-6 run
for the visitors.
But the Falcons did not quit as Angela Manfredi converted a three
after an offensive rebound by Kelly Barrett to cut the Warriors
lead to two at 66-64 with 3:42 to play in regulation. Laura Massie
then tied the score at 66 with 1:55 to play with a lay-up.
On the Warriors next possession, DeGraffinreed missed a lay-up but
Miller was there for the offensive rebound and got it to Roy who
was fouled. She converted both free throws regaining the lead for
the Warriors with 1:24 to play at 68-66. On the ensuing possession
for Bentley, Brennan missed a lay-up which was rebounded by
DeGraffinreed, who got it to Benischek, who found Miller for a
lay-up to extend the lead to four with 42 seconds left. Brennan
made her next shot to cut the lead to two and the Falcons got the
ball back with five seconds remaining with a chance to tie but
never got a shot off as the Warriors escaped with their fifth road
win of the season.
Merrimack started strong, taking an early 13-8 lead after a lay-up
from Roy assisted by Miller. But the Falcons responded closing the
half with a 29-16 run to take a 37-29 lead into the locker room at
halftime. Brennan led all scorers with 13 points as the Falcon
defense forced seven Merrimack turnovers while holding Shannon
scoreless in the first half for the second time all season.
Roy was one of four Warriors in double-figures as she tallied a
career-high 19 points. Shannon added 10 points, all in the second
half, while Miller chipped in with 18 off the bench, including four
shots from behind the arc. DeGraffinreed tallied 12 to go with five
boards and four assists. The Warriors converted six of their eight
attempts from three-point range in the second half and were
11-for-20 in the game.
Brennan led all scorers with a career-high 26 points on 11-for-15
shooting, while Kristy McLean added 14.
Merrimack (7-13, 6-9 NE-10) continues its three-game road trip at
Southern New Hampshire Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.