VALHALLA, N.Y. – Bella Ricci scored a game-high 16 points and Brielle Kelly recorded a double-double, but Mansfield's second-half comeback fell short in a 65-60 loss at Mercy (N.Y.) on Wednesday afternoon in non-conference play.
 
Ricci drained four 3-pointers off the bench and hit a pair of jumpers for a career-high 16 points. The freshman also grabbed five boards and had a pair of steals.
 
Kelly recorded her seventh career double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Melanie Taylor hit a pair of treys on her way to 10 points with Alyssa Mullins pulling down a career-high nine rebounds.
 
Monet Keane-Dawes led three Mavericks in double-figure scoring with 16 points and had 12 boards for the double-double.
 
Mansfield (1-3, 0-2 PSAC) took its first lead of the game on a Taylor 3-pointer at 7-6 midway through the first quarter. After three lead changes, Mercy ended the first with a 16-13 advantage.
 
Micaiah Battle scored the first points of the second quarter on a lay-up at the 7:40 mark in what would prove to be the only score of the quarter for the Mounties. Mercy scored 11 unanswered points to lead 27-15 at halftime.
 
In the second half, Mercy increased its lead to 14 points before the Mountaineers brought their deficit down to just five points at 37-32 with the help of a 6-0 run. Mercy ended the third quarter with a 41-32 lead.
 
Mercy brought its lead back up to double-digits in the fourth quarter and looked as if it would put the game out of reach with a 53-40 lead with just over three minutes to play. However, a 10-2 run capped by Ricci's trey pulled the Mounties within five points with just 1:26 remaining in the game. Mercy hit 10-of-14 free throws down the stretch to hold off the Mounties.
 
Mansfield outscored the Mavericks 45-38 in the second half.
 
The Mountaineers allowed a costly 27 turnovers in the game.
 
Mansfield gets back into PSAC play with conference crossover games at Clarion and Pitt-Johnstown on Dec. 3 and 4.