EMMITSBURG, Md. (November 7, 2024) – To open the season, Mount St. Mary's women's basketball put up a strong fight against the University of South Florida. While the Mount stayed with the Bulls throughout the first half, USF's size and three-point shooting proved a bit too much in a 68-51 decision.
Making her collegiate debut, redshirt freshman
Gabrielle Kennerly had the best individual performance, finishing the game with 20 points and eight rebounds, both team highs.
Anna LeMaster ended on 12 points in her first contest with the Mount, and
Rosa Revueltas Pareja added nine.
Playing aggressive throughout, the visitors frustrated the taller Bulls, finishing the game with 39 rebounds – including 15 on the offensive glass – and forcing 13 USF turnovers.
The Mount greeted the Bulls with aggressive authority in the opening quarter, thanks in large measure to Kennerly. Seeing her first collegiate minutes, the redshirt freshman scored the team's first eight points. After initial leads of 3-2 and 8-6, the Bulls scored nine of the final 12 to go up 15-11 into the second period.
A 9-0 run in the second period, punctuated by a
Jaedyn Jamison triple and a layup by LeMaster tied the score at 20. The Bulls would go back ahead, but key buckets by Kennerly and
Madison Ruff put the contest at 30-25 USF for halftime.
Tighter gameplay allowed the home side to make a lengthy run in the third quarter. After LeMaster scored six consecutive, the Bulls registered 13 in a row before the Mount could respond. Kennerly made more buckets to cross the 20-point threshold as the visitors trailed 50-40 heading into the final frame.
South Florida was able to pull away early in the fourth quarter. Revueltas Pareja led the way in the closing minutes with six points down the stretch.
Mount St. Mary's opens their home schedule this Sunday (Nov. 10) against FDU. Gametime is 3 p.m. from Knott Arena.
