NEW HAVEN, Conn. - Southern Connecticut women's basketball defeated Mercy University, 77-62 in a non-conference matchup in the Moore Field House. The Owls improved to an overall record of 2-0 while the Mavericks dropped to an overall record of 1-1.
Katie Williamson recorded a team-best of 20 points, as she shot 8-13 from the floor, 100% from the free-throw line and grabbed three rebounds.
Delaney Haines had 18 points, while shooting 4-8 from beyond the arc, 4-4 from the free-throw line, had a team-best of four steals, three rebounds and a block.
Rheyna Steinauer totaled 11 points, while she grabbed nine boards and was 2-for-2 from the free-throw line.
Hope Fox recorded 10 points, grabbed six boards and led the team with eight assists for the Owls.
Lyzi Litwinko had nine points as she had five rebounds and two assists.
Jillian Martin posted seven points and was 100% from the free-throw line.
Arianna Gerkin had three rebounds and two points against the Mavericks.
From the jump ball, both teams knew it would be a back and forth battle. The Mavericks got the first points on the board but the Owls responded with a two-pointer of their own by
Katie Williamson. It was Mercy who pulled away with a six-point lead going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Southern started the comeback with five points by Williamson and a three-pointer by Fox, to give the Owls the lead again. Mercy responded by tying up the score but free-throws by Steinauer put the Owls back in control. Heading into the half, the Mavericks made two shots to give them a two-point advantage over Southern.
In the third quarter, the Owls continued to work to get the lead and keep it within their grasp. Going back and forth with Mercy, in the last minute of the quarter, Southern got the advantage with two huge three-pointers by Martin and Fox, as they headed into the last quarter up by five points.
In the fourth, the Owls quickly put four points on the board to extend their lead. Mercy was within reach of the Owls' lead, however, Southern kept making the shots that they needed to. The Owls played great defense down the stretch and sealed the game with big plays by Martin, Williamson, Steinauer, Fox and Haines. On the free-throw line, as a team, they shot 94.4%, with only one free-throw missed. Southern picked up a 77-62 victory over Mercy to improve to 2-0 on the 2024-25 season.
The Owls will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at 5:30 p.m. against Saint Michael's College in Colchester, VT for their conference opener. On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Owls will face the University of Bridgeport in Bridgeport, Connecticut for a non-conference matchup at 5:30 p.m. On Wednesday, Nov. 20, Southern will return to the Moore Field House for their NE10 home opener against Southern New Hampshire University at 5:30 p.m.
