The Stonehill women’s basketball team was defeated by Mercyhurst 63-58 in a home game at Merkert Gymnasium on Saturday. With this result, the Skyhawks’ record stands at 6-11 overall and 2-4 in the Northeast Conference (NEC), while Mercyhurst improves to 4-13 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
Breana Delaney led Stonehill with a career-high 17 points, making eight of her twelve field goal attempts. Brooke Paquette contributed 14 points, including four three-pointers, along with six rebounds and five assists. Julia Webster added 12 points and eight rebounds. Bella Mallory and Ella Pelletier each grabbed eight rebounds as well.
Stonehill started strong, opening up a 6-0 lead within the first four minutes of play and holding an 8-4 advantage at the first media timeout. The Skyhawks maintained a slim lead after the first quarter, ending it ahead 13-11, and extended their margin to six points early in the second quarter when Ella Pelletier scored on a turnaround jumper. Both teams exchanged baskets for much of the period, entering halftime tied at 26.
In the third quarter, Mercyhurst briefly pulled ahead before Delaney hit a long jumper to tie the score again. Stonehill held a narrow lead midway through the fourth quarter after Julia Webster scored from inside the paint. However, Mercyhurst responded with a seven-point run to take control of the game. Paquette hit a three-pointer to bring Stonehill within one point late in the contest, but despite further efforts—including an assist from Paquette to Webster for another basket—the Skyhawks were unable to close the gap.
Stonehill will now begin a three-game road stretch starting with LIU on Thursday, January 22 at 7 p.m.
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