The Misericordia University women's basketball team fought off a late Lebanon Valley rally to win 72-69 and remain unbeaten on the season, Wednesday in Annville, PA.
Tessa Zamolyi recorded season-bests in points (19) and rebounds (15) for her second double-double of the year. The reigning MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year led the squad in both categories while shooting 2-3 from three-point range.
Japriya Carroll contributed 15 points and six rebounds with a team-best three three-pointers. Fellow senior,
Rachel Carmody had 14 points and eight rebounds to continue her double-digit point streak. Carmody has reached double figures in all 10 games this season.
Emma Hayes came away with two clutch steals and three unanswered points in the final 40-seconds to seal the game for the Cougars.
With nearly a minute remaining, the Dutchmen had an opportunity to take the lead with the game knotted at 69. However, Hayes was able to spoil Lebanon Valley's pivotal possession with a steal and a fast break layup at the other end to take a 71-69 lead.
On the following possession, the Dutchmen threatened with two offensive rebounds to prolong their attack, but Hayes was able to come away with another steal to defuse the threat. The sophomore then knocked down one of two free throws to ice the game for Misericordia.
Hayes finished the afternoon with a season-high seven points and tallied three steals for the third time this season.
After Misericordia ended the third quarter with an 11 point advantage, which was its largest of the night, Lebanon Valley began to battle their way back into the contest.
Midway through the fourth, the Dutchmen orchestrated a 15-4 rally in just under four minutes, which dissipated the Cougars' 65-54 advantage and knotted the game at 69. Misericordia shot just 38.5 percent from the field in the quarter while the Dutchmen tallied an even 40 percent. The Cougars were also outscored 25-17.
In the third quarter, MU began to distance themselves from the Dutchmen. Misericordia opened the third stanza with two quick layups from Carmody and Zamolyi on its first two possessions to expand its lead to 10 points.
Later in the quarter, Zamolyi hit one of two free throws to give the Cougars their largest lead at 11 with 4:35 remaining in the third. The Dutchmen answered with a 5-0 run to pull within six points, but Misericordia built their lead back up to 11 to end the quarter.
The women's basketball team will head into its holiday break with a perfect 10-0 record while Lebanon Valley falls to 6-6. The Cougars will finish off the calendar year at Dickinson on Dec. 30 before opening the New Year at home against Penn College on Jan. 3.
