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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Women's Basketball Falls to Merrimack in Season Opener

MANSFIELD – Katie Fitzpatrick led five Mountaineers in double-figure scoring, but it wouldn't be enough as visiting Merrimack came away with the 86-77 victory in both team's season opener Saturday afternoon in non-conference action.

Fitzpatrick hit four field goals and was 9-14 from the free throw line to lead all scorers with 17 points. The sophomore also dished out nine assists and had five boards in the game.

Megan McSwain shot 60% from the field to total 16 points while Jena Matter and Alyssa DeRichie each added 13 points. Matter pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.

Freshman Maria Kelleher lit it up from outside in her collegiate debut. She was a perfect 4-4 from 3-point to total 12 points.
Chloe Rothman and Tia Scott paced Merrimack with 14 points each. Scott had seven assists in the game.

Aria Johnson led the Warriors in rebounding with seven.

The game started with seven lead changes over the first six minutes. The Mountaineers built their lead to seven points after two successful free throws by DeRichie to lead 21-14 with just under 12 minutes to play in the half. Mansfield (0-1, 0-0 PSAC) would maintain the lead until the final minute of the half.

A pair of late free throws gave Merrimack a 47-45 advantage going into halftime.

The Mountaineers shot 54.2% (13-24) from the floor in the half and was 80.0% (16-20) from the charity stripe.

Merrimack (1-0, 0-0 NE-10) held a 19-13 rebounding advantage in the half and benefitted from 16 points off second chances.

In the second half, a pair of Matter free throws tied the game at 47 points apiece. However, Merrimack went on an 18-5 run over the next seven minutes to lead 65-62.

The Warriors grew their lead to 17 points with just over five minutes to play in the game, but Mansfield scored 10 unanswered points to trail 80-73 with 1:50 remaining in the contest.

The Mountaineers could pull no closer and fell in their season opener.

Mansfield shot 46.8% (22-47) from the field and was 63.6% (7-11) from beyond the arc.

The Mounties travel to Le Moyne next Saturday.