(Riverdale, NY) – Teams mired in eight-game losing streaks just don't do the things the Mount Saint Vincent Women's Basketball team continues to do whenever they take the court. Teams in such a “slump” don't dive after loose balls, they don't battle for rebounds, and they certainly never come back from double-digit deficits to play the best teams on their schedule close. But, Mount Saint Vincent is doing just that. Instead of pouting in the face of defeat, this is a team that has come together and continues to go down fighting. Wednesday night was the perfect example of how the Mount refuses to let another team have it easy. Down 20 points to Skyline Conference powerhouse Farmingdale State with 18:32 remaining in the second half, the Dolphins turned their defensive effort up a notch and began to hit their shots, and they gradually chipped away at the Rams' lead. When senior
Laura Bucci (Irvington, NY/Our Lady of Victory) hit a lay-up with 1:29 remaining in the game, the Mount trailed 91-86.
Ultimately, there was no Hollywood ending against a team picked to finish second in the Skyline Conference pre-season poll (and received two first place votes) as the Mount fell 98-90 during one of the most thrilling games of the 2005-06 season conference-wide, but the Mount Saint Vincent effort spoke volumes. With only six players available for much of the second half, the Mount gave one of the best teams in the Skyline Conference all it could handle. Seniors Meagan Fitzpatrick (Yonkers, NY/Our Lady of Victory), Andrea DiNizo (Cortlandt Manor, NY/Masters), and Bucci combined for 51 points, two Dolphins netted double-doubles, and freshman Drew Gomes (Thomaston, CT/Thomaston HS) dished out a career-high nine assists, and the Dolphins proved once again that while they are currently at the bottom of the Skyline Conference standings, they are still one of the most dangerous teams in the Conference.
Fitzpatrick was simply sensational. The forward scored 18 points (on 7 for 11 shooting) and grabbed 10 rebounds for her third career double-double. Her effort, combined with an incredible performance by freshman Ashley Farrow (Ocean, NJ/Ocean Township HS) gave the Dolphins an inside presence that went toe-to-toe with a bigger and more physical Farmingdale front court. Farrow notched her first career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds (both career highs), and was 5 for 11 from the floor. Thanks in large part to the play of Fitzpatrick and Farrow, the Mount outrebounded Farmingdale, 52-45.
When Fitzpatrick and Farrow weren't battling inside, it was DiNizo, Bucci, and Gomes making plays on the outside. DiNizo scored 18 points on 7 for 12 shooting, while Bucci added a season-high 15 points. Gomes, who saw the most extensive minutes she has played all season at point guard, rose to the occasion for a career-high nine assists on top of nine points and five rebounds. She now leads the Dolphins with 38 assists.
Ultimately, Mount Saint Vincent (2-10, 1-6 Skyline Conference) lost because they simply could not battle back from the early deficit, and as the game drew closer, the Mount missed several key free throws. Farmingdale (7-8, 3-3 Skyline Conference) came out firing, taking a 58-42 halftime lead as they shot 55% from the floor during the first 20 minutes. They also hit 9 of their 15 three-point shots during that span, including four by guard Kristen Tong, who scored 15 points for the game. Overall, the Rams had five players score in double figures, and center Mercedes Miller, the Skyline Conference scoring leader, had a double-double of her own with 19 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out with five minutes remaining in the game.
Mount Saint Vincent finished the game shooting a season-high 46% from the floor, including a 55% shooting performance during the second half. However, they only converted 21 of their 33 free throw attempts, including eight misses during the final 20 minutes.
While the Mount is still looking to break their losing streak, the eight losses have come during a stretch of games against teams who are a combined 13 games over .500 this season. And, during seven of the eight games, the Mount has had a fighting chance to win. Six of the losses have been by single-digit deficits, and during five of the losses the Mount has either led, been tied, or trailed by three points or less at halftime. In other words, Mount Saint Vincent is close to turning the 2005-06 season around, and with seven of their final 10 games in the friendly confines of the Grace Athletics Center, the turn-around could start at any time.
Mount Saint Vincent's first attempt to break the slide and get back on the winning track will be Thursday night when the Dolphins host CCNY at 7:00 p.m. for a non-conference game.
