NIAGARA UNIVERSITY, N.Y. (January 6, 2024) – Holding a lead for most of the game, Mount St. Mary's women's basketball took a tough loss as Niagara surged from 17 points down with a strong second half. The final score wound up as 72-61 Purple Eagles.
Jo Raflo had a career high day on offense, posting 30 points. The effort was the first 30-plus outing by a Mountaineer since
Michaela Harrison scored 35 against Bryant in 2021.
Jaedyn Jamison tied a career best in rebounding with five, with
Isabella Hunt led with eight boards.
Rosa Revueltas hit a pair of triples for her first Mount points. Hunt and
Jada Lee finished with five assists apiece.
Raflo provided offense early, scoring the first eight. The Mount played to Niagara's strength by forcing six turnovers before the opening media break. Fellow Mountaineers
Jessica Tomasetti and Lee got in on the scoring as the visitors led 18-8 after one. Hunt and Rosa Reveultas increased the edge to 15 with the opening five points of the second quarter. A pair of triples by Raflo punctuated the first half and handed the Mount a 17-point advantage at the break.
Jumping out of halftime, Niagara came out firing with a response, halving the deficit in the first two minutes. The run extended to 14-0 before Hunt answered with a pull-up. Mount St. Mary's put together a 7-0 burst as the third neared its conclusion to stay ahead, 46-40, despite 22 Purple Eagles points.
Although the Mount beat the press and tallied fast layups, Niagara proved relentless, earning a 10-4 to close the gap to a point with 5:43 left. Drawing a foul at 4:22, the Purple Eagles hit two foul shots to take a 58-57 lead. A triple by Chardonnay Hartley gave the home side breathing room which proved to be all that was needed. Niagara flipped the script from 18 in the first half to 54 over the final 20 minutes to earn the comeback victory.
Hartley led the Purle Eagles with 19 with another 17 from Aaliyah Parker. Niagara now stands at 3-1 in Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play, while the Mount falls to 0-4.
Mount St. Mary's returns to the home court for two games, beginning Thursday, January 11 with Quinnipiac.
