CINCINNATI, Ohio - Mount St. Joseph battled throughout on Wednesday night at the Harrington Center but came up just short, falling 52-49 to Berea College in Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference action.
The Lions faced an early challenge as Berea established control in the opening quarter, building a quick lead behind efficient scoring and strong interior play. MSJ struggled to find an offensive rhythm early, but the Lions stayed within reach by tightening up defensively and limiting second-chance opportunities.
Mount St. Joseph responded in the second quarter with improved ball movement and defensive intensity, slowly chipping away at the deficit. The Lions forced tough shots and generated better looks on the offensive end, keeping the game close heading into halftime.
The contest remained tight coming out of the break as both teams traded baskets in the third quarter. Karlee Mills sparked the Lions offensively, attacking the basket and creating opportunities, while Hailey Guingrich provided steady scoring to keep MSJ within striking distance. Neither team was able to create much separation as the game turned into a defensive battle.
In the fourth quarter, Mount St. Joseph continued to compete and made a late push, cutting the margin to a single possession in the final minutes. The Lions had chances down the stretch, but Berea was able to come up with timely defensive stops and key rebounds to hold on for the narrow victory.
Mills led the Lions with 16 points, while Guingrich added 13 points in the effort. Despite the loss, Mount St. Joseph showed resilience and effort on both ends of the floor, competing until the final buzzer as conference play continued.
