Riverdale, NY - It was a special day inside the Sharp Center on Saturday afternoon, as the University of Mount Saint Vincent's women's basketball team celebrated seniors
Erin Smith,
Melanieann Broderick, and
Kayla Hanley as they played on their home court one last time. The Dolphins did not disappoint, ending the regular season with a huge 62-43 victory against Mount Saint Mary College.
Despite trailing 15-9 at the end of the first quarter, the Dolphins went on a big run in the second and held the Knights to single digit scoring, securing a 28-21 lead going into halftime. Free throws from sophomore
Michaela Ligon and a personal 5-0 run from freshman
Grace Kennedy put UMSV up 19-15 and forced a Knights timeout with six minutes to play. The visiting team was able to respond and tie things up, but a three-pointer from transfer
Gretta Baker and a Hanley jump shot allowed the Dolphins to reclaim their lead.
The senior trio of Smith, Broderick, and Hanley led the way for the Dolphins to start the third quarter. The three all scored on multiple possessions and gave the Dolphins a 15-point edge. After another timeout from the Knights, Baker, Ligon, and junior captain
Julia Angeles also chipped in giving the Dolphins a 50-33 at the end of the third quarter. The Knights came out strong in the fourth, however the Dolphins could not be stopped with the help of graduate student
Ashley Marrocco, who knocked down two back-to-back threes.
Coach
Maria Nardulli's Dolphins once again showed defensive pride and toughness, holding the Knights below 30% shooting from the field. The Dolphins also executed as a team on the offensive end, seeing ten players in the scoring column.
Hanley led the Dolphins in scoring with 12 points, along with 8 rebounds, 4 assists and a pair of steals. Smith finished with 9 points, 6 assists, 3 rebounds and two steals. Junior captain
JaKaia Lotz grabbed a team-high 9 rebounds, while also adding 6 points. Marrocco shot 100% from the field and from three, good for 8 points of her own. Angeles grabbed 7 rebounds and two steals, and put up four points, while Ligon and Baker combined for 14 points, at 7 apiece.
The Dolphins are looking to defend their crown this Tuesday as they head to #3 Manhattanville for the first round of the Skyline Conference Tournament.