RIVERDALE, NY - The CMSV Women's Basketball team returned to action on Saturday afternoon, hosting Skyline Conference rival, Farmingdale State in both teams regular season finale. The Dolphins were looking to clinch the #3 seed in the upcoming 2017 Skyline Conference Championships with a win, but were unable to down the Rams, falling 74-61 to end the regular season with a 17-8 record and 13-5 mark in conference play.

The Mount loss put them in a tie with Sage for 3rd place in the conference but conference tie-breakers give the Gators the #3 seed and the Dolphins the #4 seed.

Kristen Merrell led the Dolphins with a team-high 18 points, the junior also added five rebounds and four assists. Dez Brown came off the bench to score 12 points, while Christina Barone chipped in with seven points, 12 rebounds and four assists. 

In the first quarter, the Dolphins opened up on a 6-0 run capped off on a Merrell layup just over two minutes into action. The Rams would come back and get to within one with 6:10 left, but Barone responded with a steal and layup, forcing a Farmingdale timeout.

The Rams responded coming out of the timeout and sinking  a 3-pointer to tie the game at 8-8 and on the next Rams possession, they would take the lead after a 3-point play by Tyra Harrison. Farmingdale would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game.

The Dolphins would trail by 13 at the end of the first quarter after a deep 3-pointer by Essence Carey put her side ahead 26-13.

In the second quarter, the Dolphins clawed back and were able to get within four points after a Brittany Carroll 3-pointer made the score 38-34 with 13 seconds left, but Kaelyn Ward would sink a 3-pointer for Farmingdale with 2 seconds left to give the Rams a 41-34 lead at halftime. 

The Rams lead would swell to as much as 18 points midway through the third quarter and the closest the Dolphins would get for the remainder of the game would be seven at the 7:01 mark of the 4th quarter, after another Merrell layup. 

The Dolphins couldn't find the touch from 3-point land in the second half, as they were held without a 3-pointer over the final 20 minutes of action.

Once Skyline Conference play concluded Saturday night, it will be the #4 seed Dolphins squaring off against the #5 seed Rams on Tuesday February 21 in Riverdale. 

Make sure to check back in Sunday to get a full run-down of the Skyline Conference Championships and preview of the Rams and Dolphins game.