EMMITSBURG, Md. (January 21, 2023) – Mount St. Mary's women's basketball utilized a tenacious defensive effort to earn a road victory over Saint Peter's Saturday. Holding the opponent to a season low of 42, the Mount won by 19 to improve to 8-10 (4-5 MAAC) on the year.
For the Mountaineers, it's the first triumph away from home for 2022-23.
Fresh off a 29-point effort on Thursday,
Michaela Harrison led the offense once again with another 16 points.
Aryna Taylor joined her in double figures with 10.
Natalie Villaflor matched a career high with 11 rebounds.
Saint Peter's got 11 points off three treys from Amaris Mills. The Peacocks dropped to 0-18 (0-9 MAAC).
Hitting three of their first seven triples while limiting the Peacocks to an average of one shot per minute, the Mount sprinted out to a 12-4 lead. Saint Peter's called a timeout to regroup and found a way to find success from long range. Jada Leonard's three at the minute mark gave SPU a brief lead before Harrison caused a turnover, allowing Taylor to hit a layup at the horn.
Both teams struggled scoring in the second period, as Harrison's three-pointer at 5:43 was the lone bucket before the media timeout. But with Harrison and Taylor in foul trouble, the Mount turned to their teammates to finish the half.
Jessica Tomasetti provided the offense, scoring the last six points. The entire defense held their end of the bargain, keeping the Peacocks to four points in the frame. The visitors took a 28-19 advantage to the locker room.
Tomasetti got the offense rolling with a triple to start the second half scoring.
Isabella Hunt added a floater to push the Mount's lead to 10 and force another Peacocks timeout. Thanks to both teams reaching the bonus, the third quarter produced the most offense. The Mount scored 20 to lead 48-33 after three quarters.
Defense continued to lock in as the teams coasted through the fourth quarter. Villaflor and
Jo Raflo paced the offense while the team stymied the opposition to two made baskets in the frame.
Mount St. Mary's goes back on the road Thursday (Jan. 26) to battle Fairfield.
