Marist is no stranger to overtime and losing late fourth-quarter leads. The Red Foxes led Merrimack by what was once a 10-point lead, which dwindled to a tie game with the shot clock turned off, extending the game by five minutes and handing Marist a 77-72 loss.
In extra time, Merrimack could not miss. The away team opened with back-to-back 3-pointers after shooting 2-for-26 from beyond the arc in regulation.
The last time these two teams met up in Lawler Arena in North Andover, the game also ended in an overtime loss for Marist.
In the MAAC Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Marist was projected to finish fourth while Merrimack landed in eighth, but the two have since traded places.
The Warriors’ success this season is spearheaded by junior forward Madison Roman. Roman averages a double-double with the ability to find open lanes, shoot and dish the ball to her team effectively.
Roman also leads the MAAC in rebounds, averaging 10.7 a game, placing her in the top 15 rebounders in the nation. Roman ended with 23 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, her 14th double-double of the season.
Thursday’s game marked the fourth straight start for sophomore guard Chloe Escanillias and the fourth game without the presence of sophomore guard Danielle Williamsen. Williamsen is a key part of why this Red Fox team ranked at the top of the MAAC in the preseason.
Averaging 32.4 minutes per game, Williamsen provides a constant fire on the court for Marist. Williamsen has the ability to light up the players around her and provides the support that her team needs at all times.
Williamsen has continued that support from the sidelines, joining in on crowd chants, engaging in team huddles and doing everything she can to support her team while out with an injury.
On the sidelines, Williamsen is joined by three other Red Foxes, who cannot support their team directly with points on the board but instead show up for the team in different ways.
Sophomore guard Kasey Bretones and Escanillias have provided the spark the Red Foxes need, with the injured list growing for Marist. Escanillias hit the first 3-pointer of the night, with Bretones coming off the bench, hitting 4-for-4 from the field and leading the team with 10 points at the half.
In the Red Foxes’ 61-point loss to Fairfield nearly a week ago, Bretones had a career-high performance, setting new marks in points, minutes, field goals and 3-pointers.
She broke her own best at home against Merrimack. Coming into the game with three 3-pointers across the season, Bretones knocked down three from beyond the arc in 20 minutes against the Warriors, ending the game with a team-high 18 points.
After leading 35-27 at halftime, Marist struggled on the defensive glass, handing Merrimack
back-to-back second chance opportunities and cutting into the Red Foxes’ lead.
The Warriors outscored the Red Foxes 10-0 during a five-minute scoring drought. Marist managed to close out the third on a strong note as Bretones went 2-for-2 from the line, followed by a mid-range jumper from junior forward Karly Fischer to put Marist up 43-41 heading into the final minutes of play.
Junior guard Paloma Garcia facilitated play for Merrimack, opening the fourth with effective ball movement across the court. Able to find players on quick transitions, the Warriors got 36 of their points from inside the paint.
With Marist shooting 20-for-40 from deep, what kept the Warriors in the game came down to Red Fox turnovers and second-chance opportunities for Merrimack.
36 of the Warriors’ 77 points came from Marist turnovers and 14 second-chance points. As Marist looks to make a run to Atlantic City and potentially the playoffs, the Red Foxes must limit turnovers and maintain leads until the final whistle.
Marist held a 10-point lead midway through the fourth, but were unable to keep a comfortable lead talling three turnovers and no points in three minutes. Merrimack added on six straight, making the score 57-53 with a minute on the clock.
Garcia, out of a Marist timeout, stole the ball with 40 seconds remaining, for a scoop and score windling the Red Fox lead to two, and Marist was unable to score a field goal in four minutes.
With Bretones on the inbound and no time outs left, graduate forward Orlye Kiefer stole the ball, finding Garcia on the other end. Senior forward Ciara Croker immediately jumped on the ball, leading to a jump ball and a review by the officials. With no timeouts left, the Warriors huddled for what would be the final play of regulation. With .6 seconds on the clock, Garcia found Kiefer to send the game to overtime.
Running a full-court press in overtime and a dominant offense, Marist let go of a game that was theirs to lose.
Marist will look to wrap up MAAC play against four teams they have wins against. The first team is Rider, on Saturday at home at 1 p.m.
Edited by Ben Leeds
Graphic by Cara Lacey
Photo by Quinn DiFiore
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