Box Score
HAMDEN, Conn. (December 31, 2022) – Mount St. Mary's was playing a near-complete performance Saturday against the Quinnipiac Bobcats. But with 17 minutes left, the offense went cold, allowing the Bobcats to comeback and take a 64-52 victory.
Michaela Harrison led the Mount in scoring with 15 points, surpassing Becky Lovett for fifth on the program's all-time scoring list.
Natalie Villaflor added her first collegiate double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds. In total, the Mountaineers scored 15 for the second half, which serves as a dubious mark of a new season low.
Mikala Morris led all scorers with 22 for the Bobcats, adding her name to the team's 1,000 point club. Cur'Tiera Haywood and Jackie Grisdale posted double figures for Quinnipiac.
The Mount falls to 5-8 (1-3 MAAC) this year, while Quinnipiac improves to 8-5 (3-1 MAAC).
A cold start on the offensive end was backed up by tough defense in the first quarter. Holding the Bobcats at bay, the Mount went from shooting 1-for-8 before the media timeout to 5-for-7 after. A Raflo free throw exchanged leads at the 11-10 mark, part of an 11-0 run. The Mountaineers led 16-12 after the period.
Both sides enjoyed strong scoring to start the second quarter. Villaflor and the Bobcats' Jackie Grisdale traded three pointers to build the game up to 24-21. After the media, the Mount's defense stepped up to hold Quinnipiac to a single field goal. The home side did manage to draw fouls and make 11 trips to the line, but key shots by the visitors, including a Harrison three at the horn, gave them the 37-32 halftime edge.
Over the first three minutes of the second half, the Mount seemed poised to pull away with nine points, five of which came from Villaflor. Then suddenly, everything went quiet on the offensive end. Relying of defense, they let Quinnipiac chip away, but not retake the lead until the final period.
Morris flipped the script with the opening bucket of the fourth. Offense continued to be frozen in place, forcing a timeout with 7:56 remaining and the Bobcats up 51-46. Harrison ended the drought with 5:54 to go, but the momentum had shifted.
The Mount challenges Rider next Saturday (Jan. 7) in Emmitsburg.
