Box Score LOCATION Cincinnati, Ohio (Harrington Center)
THE BASICS
Mount St. Joseph University (1-8) shot just 34 percent but dominated in nearly every other meaningful category in a 74-71 home loss to Berea College (7-5).
HOW IT HAPPENED
A tightly contested first half ended with the Lions trailing Berea by 5 points. The Lions were paced offensively in the first half by Meredith Hartfiel, who scored 8 points and hit two big 3 pointers.
Berea was lead in the first half by the sharp shooting of Erica Rogers, who went 5-5 from behind the three-point line for 15 points. She would finish with 19 points.
The second half did not start out the way the Lions would have liked as Berea picked up the pressure defense, causing four quick turnovers on its way to an 8-0 run. Berea extended the lead to as many as 13 points.
Mount St. Joseph spent the rest of the 3rd quarter clawing its way back into the game, cutting the lead down to two by the end of the quarter.
The 4th quarter saw the game remain tight, with the Lions finally knotting the score at 60 with just under 5 minutes to play. Hartfiel made a big layup to cut the lead to two, which was followed immediately by a Lainee Studer steal and layup.
Berea did just enough down the stretch to gain the victory.
The telling stat of the game may have been at the free-throw line for the Lions. They went just 6-13. The Lions led in rebounds and assists and had fewer turnovers.
STANDOUTS
Ciera Phillips had a huge double-double to lead the way for the Lions. She had a game high 25 points and 18 rebounds. Bristyl Webb added 9 assists.
UP NEXT
The Lions take on the College of Wooster at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 30th at the Harrington Center.
