Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
With the loss of senior and co-captain point guard Mariah Hankton due to a serious knee injury she suffered against Adelphi University, the Owls took on Merrimack College (Warriors) in a game the Owls needed to win in order to improve their overall conference record.
The Owls controlled the majority of the first half, leading 26-19 with 6:13 to go. But the Warriors weren’t going down without a fight. Warrior’s center, Madison Ward, tied the game up at 26, with a layup and a successful free-throw.
The Warriors’ headed into the half with a three point lead, 31-28.
The Owls did fight their way back in the second half, but the Warriors were too much to handle midway through the half where they held a 10 point lead with 8:53 remaining in the game. The Warriors would go onto win, 68-64. Dropping the Owls to a 13-12 record, 10-7 in the Northeast-10 Conference. The Warriors improved to 12-11 and 8-10 in the NE-10 Conference.
Owls senior guard Sydni Lester, said her team could’ve pulled off the win, but the lack of consistent energy hurt them.
“We beat ourselves,” said Lester. “ The energy wasn’t there and the affected us tremendously. We should’ve rebounded more and shared the ball more. So now we have to get in the gym and get better.”
With three games left on the season, Lester added, “ we have to play our game. Play as one. We are a family. Everybody has to be on the same page. Take good shots, and keep the energy high.”
The Owls face Pace University Wed., Feb. 18 in N.Y. at 5:30 P.M.
Photo Credit: Bobby Martinez
