EMMITSBURG, Md. (January 27, 2024) – A second half fight back for Mount St. Mary's women's basketball came agonizingly close to overcoming the Niagara Purple Eagles at home. The visitors were able to fend off the Mount and pull away late in an 80-63 decision.
Every player who took the floor for the Mountaineers scored.
Jada Lee was the team's leading scorer with 14 points.
Rosa Revueltas matched her career high by scoring 11 points for the second consecutive game, and
Giana Hoddinott posted seven first half points for a new high mark.
Isabella Hunt chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds.
In a rare occurrence, the Mount took the loss despite winning the rebounding battle, grabbing 41 to Niagara's 40. A main inhibitor was turnovers with 34 giveaways, the most for the program in a game since 2015. The last time the team tallied over 30 was against Saint Francis U, as a group led by current Mount assistant
Joe Haigh forced 38 off the Mountaineers.
The two teams fought to a 9-8 Mount lead, capped by a Hunt layup. Niagara scored the next basket to kick off a 12-2 run to end the frame. High scoring continued into the second period, as the Mountaineers and Purple Eagles split 38 combined points down the middle, and Niagara took a 41-30 advantage into the locker rooms.
Mount's second half push was instantaneous. Forcing the issue by effective drives to the paint, the home side pieced together a 9-0 run. With the deficit trimmed all the way to 43-42, Niagara made a stand by scoring the next seven. A Revueltas trey answered the call and the Mountaineers chipped the contest back to 54-51 Purple Eagles entering the fourth quarter.
Twice the Mount cut the game back to a single point but Niagara was able to answer. A critical juncture in the contest came at 60-57 with
Jo Raflo getting a clean look from the wing. In excruciating fashion, the ball circled the cylinder and rimmed out, denying what would have been the game tying shot. The Purple Eagles went on to earn an 11-0 run, shutting the door on another comeback try.
The Mount faces Iona on Thursday (Feb. 1) at Knott Arena. A 7 p.m. tip-off is scheduled.
