Box Score LOCATION: Cincinnati, OH (Cintas Center)
THE BASICS
In an emotional afternoon of basketball the Lions (0-1, 0-0 HCAC) dropped the season opener to Hiram College (1-0, 0-0 Conf.) 70-63 in the first annual Lauren Hill Tipoff Classic.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Lions won the tipoff to open the game, and in the team's first possession guard Taylor Brown bounced an entry pass into the block to teammate Meredith Hartfiel, who promptly placed the ball on the floor in nearly the same location where former teammate Lauren Hill sunk her first collegiate basket in 2014.
Hiram and MSJ players gathered aound with their index fingers and thumb forming an "L" shape. The shot clock proceeded to wind down to zero. The crowd cheered in remembrance.
The Mount trailed 13-11 at the end of the first quarter with Ciera Phillips keeping the Lions in the game. Philips finished the half shooting 3 of 5 from the field with 8 points, making two free throws. Hartfiel sparked the comeback with a three pointer. Brilyn Webb scored seven points in a row to tie the game in the second quarter. Hiram rallied back to lead the Lions 32-25 at halftime.
Lainee Studer hit a big three with 4:34 left in the third quarter to shorten the Terrier's lead to 38-32. From there, Hiram distanced themselves, shooting 54 percent from the field and 56 percent from the three-point line. Hiram led 52-42 heading into the fourth quarter.
The Lions mounted yet another comeback, going on a 12-2 run with less than two minutes left in the game. It was enough as the Terriers held off the Lions 70-63.
Hiram's Mercedes Jones finished with 27 points and 14 rebounds, earning a double-double.
STANDOUTS
Webb finished with 14 points, five assists and three steals, with two steals coming in the last two minutes. Phillips led the team in scoring with 17 points and five rebounds.
Studer finished the night with 10 points, five coming in the fourth quarter.
UP NEXT
The Lions travel to Wilmington College on Friday. Game time is 6 p.m.
