CINCINNATI, Ohio – On Wednesday, December 20
th your Mount St. Joseph University women's basketball team welcomed the Big Red of Denison University to the Harrington Center. The Lions battled in the first half trailing by just one before heading into the break. The Lions drew even with just under three minutes left to play but couldn't grab the lead falling to Denison 65-59.
In the first quarter, the game started slow for each squad. The Lions got on the board first with a three-pointer from
Karlee Mills followed by a layup from
Madison Drummonds. Denison scored their first bucket with just under six minutes remaining in the quarter and took a three-point lead just three minutes later. A pair of jumpers from
Morgan Jenkins got the Lions back in front with a 11-8 advantage. The Big Red would score five unanswered to close out the quarter leading the Lions 13-11.
In the second quarter of play both offenses felt re-energized.
Whitney Warfel quickly tied the game for the Lions to start play. But, the Big Red answered right back building a six-point lead with four and a half minutes to play in the half. A pair of free throws from
Anyiah Murphy cut the Lions deficit to just one, heading into halftime trailing 29-28.
Denison came out of the locker room with the hot hand to start the second half. The Big Red started the second half five for seven from the floor while taking a six-point lead with just under six minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Lions would answer but not enough to knock Denison out of their groove as they led the Lions 52-43 with a quarter left to play.
To begin the fourth quarter, the Lions looked like a new team. The Mount started the quarter with seven unanswered points to pull the score within two with just under eight minutes left to play. Denison quickly answered with five points of their own but the Lions again would score seven unanswered. Warfel led the charge during the 14-5 run scoring half of the Lions points tying the game at 57 with 2:42 left to play. Denison wasted no time re-gaining their lead sinking a three-pointer on the following possession. Following the made three-pointer the Big Red would not let go of their lead again. As the final buzzer sounded the Lions comeback bid fell short falling to Denison 65-59.
Warfel had an impressive game for the Lions scoring a team-high 14 points. Jenkins finished just one rebound shy of a double-double with 10 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals. Murphy was also productive for the Lions scoring 13 points and grabbing a team-high 4 steals.
UP NEXT: Your Mount St. Joseph Lions are back in action on Thursday, December 28
th when they travel to Defiance, Ohio to take on the Yellow Jackets of Defiance College in a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference matchup. Tip-off is scheduled to begin at 3pm.
