EMMITSBURG, Md. (March 10, 2022) – Playing in front of an enthusiastic, supporting crowd at Knott Arena, Mount St. Mary's women's basketball advanced to the Northeast Conference championship game with a 62-50 victory over the Wagner Seahawks.
 
Adding to the excitement was the continuation of a Cinderella run by the Bryant Bulldogs, who took down to top-seeded Fairleigh Dickinson Knights. That allows the Mount to serve as hosts for the game, and a NEC champion will be crowned on the Mount's floor Sunday afternoon.
 
The tip-off for the title game will be noon on March 13^th and televised nationwide on ESPNU. Tickets can be purchased by calling 301-447-5700 and will be available at the door. 
 
"Tonight was unbelievable." Head Coach Antoine White said. "I thought we came out and we imposed our will right from the get-go. That was so important for us to come out and play with pace and play with space, and we did that. We shot the ball well, and one thing that's trending for us is defense. And that's got to continue if we want to make this final push."
 
Senior Michaela Harrison was the leading scorer for the second straight game, going 7-for-11 from the floor and 3-for-6 from downtown to finish with 19 points. Kendall Bresee finished with 13 points and nine rebounds and became the 29^th Mount St. Mary's player to score 1,000 points for the school. The Urbana grad achieved the feat in three years, becoming the 11^th Mountaineer to do so. Kayla Agentowicz added 10 points and Isabella Hunt supplied eight rebounds.
 
"It's been an up and down year for us." Harrison said. "But we are clicking on all cylinders at the perfect time. It's so exciting we get to host another championship with fans this time! The atmosphere is going to be insane, and I can't wait to be back out there with the team and try to repeat."
 
Wagner got double-digit scoring efforts by Zhaneia Thybulle with 13 points and Alex Cowan with 12. The Seahawks concluded the year with a record of 17-12.
 
A Thybulle trey came the visitors to opening lead, but Bresee countered with a three to tie it, followed by a triple from Agentowicz. Although the Mount would hold onto the lead for the rest of the game, Wagner battled back to make for several thrilling moments. Agentowicz hit a turnaround jumper at the first quarter horn, and the Mount used the momentum for a scorching hot second quarter shooting the basketball. The home side had 40 points and a 15-point advantage at halftime, hitting 56.5 percent from the field.
 
With their season on the line, the Seahawks put together a strong rally in the third quarter. Cowan sent in a three and Emilija Krista Grava benefited from a steal to convert a fast break layup. After Harrison hit a layup of her own, Wagner regained their stride. Using stifling defense and clutch shots, they cut the lead down to three on a Krista Grave triple.
 
Down to a one possession game, the Mountaineers dug in and hit key baskets – three pointers from Agentowicz and Harrison to go back up 59-50 heading into the fourth.
 
Defense was key to preventing a final Wagner push as the Mount held the opposition to 10 in the final frame. The margin shrunk to five before Jessica Tomasetti found space in the corner and nailed another three pointer. Katrice Jackson sent home a layup to get hope alive for the Seahawks, but the dagger came at the hands of Hunt, who fired a gutsy three pointer that found the bottom of the net and sent the Knott faithful into a frenzy. Foul shots in the closing seconds completed the semifinal win.
 
A win in Sunday's title game sends Mount St. Mary's to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year and the fifth time in program history. Should Bryant win, the Bulldogs would punch their ticket for the first time.