EMMITSBURG, Md. (December 7, 2024) – Using a combination of aggressive defense and clutch shots throughout the game, Mount St. Mary's women's basketball defeated Loyola 65-48 in the Catholic Clash. The victory puts the Mount in the win column for the first time in 2024-25.
Anna LeMaster provided the biggest spark on offense with 15 points, going 5-for-9 from the floor and 4-for-7 from three-point range. Her efforts were bolstered by a pair of players who came off the bench to post career highs. Sophomore
Tessa Engelman hit double figures for the first time as a collegian, netting 13 points. Freshman
Madison Ruff added nine, going 3-for-4 with another three at the charity stripe.
Gabrielle Kennerly tallied 11 in a double figure effort.
For the first time this season, the Mountaineers dominated on the glass, with a particular emphasis on the second half. Finishing with 37 rebounds, the Mount outwitted the Greyhounds to earn a +11 on the boards over the last 20 minutes.
Jaedyn Jamison and LeMaster matched each other for the team high with seven.
Loyola had the game-high scorer in Amandine Amorich, who finished with 19, and the game high in rebounds thanks to Koi Sims pulling in nine.
Mount St. Mary's took its first lead of the contest at the 3:03 mark of the opening frame, with a layup by Engelman. The sophomore forward collected six points in the first quarter, with Kennerly and LeMaster supplying three each to grant the home side a 14-11 advantage after one. The lead rose to as many as eight at 25-17 which forced a Loyola timeout with 3:50 to go in the half. LeMaster provided the offense down the stretch, and defense remained key for a 28-22 edge at the break.
It was the third quarter that secured the contest for the Mountaineers. A 12-0 run was the catalyst, with a nine-point swing coming on triples by LeMaster and Kennerly, necessitating another Greyhounds timeout. A foul shot from Jamison and a basket by Ruff completed the run. Another Kennerly triple with 2:05 left in the third quarter along with an Engleman layup gave the Mount its largest lead at 23 as the seconds ticked down to the fourth period. Despite a Loyola press that landed some turnovers, the home side gathered a few more key shots to cruise to victory.
The Mountaineers improve to 28-17 all-time in the Catholic Clash, including 16-7 for home games.
On Monday, December 16, the Mountaineers hit the road to take on Mercyhurst. Tip-off is at 6 p.m. from Owen McCormick Court in Erie, Pennsylvania.
