Rachel Carmody had 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead five players in double figures as the Misericordia University women's basketball team beat Lebanon Valley, 79-69, in the ECAC Quarterfinals, Friday afternoon at Washington & Jefferson.

ECAC Tournament Central

Quintessa Zamolyi had 16 points and eight rebounds and Japriya Carroll added 14 points, five rebounds and five assists as the Cougars avenged and opening-day loss to the Dutchmen.

Paige Wampole had 12 points and 11 rebounds and Erica Haefele added 10 points as the Cougars improved to 18-10 and advanced to Saturday's ECAC semifinals against NYU.

Tied 6-6 midway through the first quarter, the Cougars used an 11-0 run over a two-minute span and led the rest of the way.

After a layup by Kalynn Sefcik, Zamolyi and Carroll both knocked down three-pointers for a 14-6 lead.  A steal by Sefcik led to another three by Carroll for a 17-6 lead with 3:38 left in the first period.

Sefcik nailed a three-pointer later in the period and the Cougars led 22-12 after the opening 10 minutes.

Back-to-back buckets by Carmody gave the Cougars a 3-14 lead less than two minutes into the second quarter.  Leb Val got within seven late in the half, but a jumper by Leanne Forsyth in the final minute gave MU a 41-31 lead at halftime.

The teams traded baskets throughout the third quarter and Leb Val got within 60-51 on a last-second layup.

The Dutchmen whittled the MU lead to five points three times over the final 10 minutes, but each time, the Cougars answered. 

Leading 72-67, Carroll made two free throws with 2:59 to play and Leb Val missed its next four shots before Haefele's layup put the Cougars up 76-67 with 1:19 to go and the Cougars added three free throws in the final minute.

Misericordia will face NYU in the first ever meeting between the two schools, Saturday at 2:00 at Washington & Jefferson.