Raymond poured in a season-high 32 points, but the Skyhawks fell on the road (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard)

Skyhawks drop third-straight road game despite Raymond's season-high 32

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (February 20, 2019) – Merrimack College, ranked No. 9 in the first NCAA Division II East Regional rankings released earlier today, outscored Stonehill College, ranked No. 6 in the region, 27-10 in the third quarter on its way to a 75-66 triumph in Northeast-10 Conference women's basketball action at the Volpe Athletic Center tonight.

Senior Lindsay Werner led three Merrimack players in double-figures with 29 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including 3-or-7 from three-point distance, and three steals. Junior Denia Davis-Stewart added a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds, shooting 9-of-15 from the floor, and adding two blocked shots and five steals, while sophomore Alyssa Casey contributed ten points, four boards, three assists and two steals. Sophomore Mayson Kimball pulled down ten rebounds and chipped in eight points for the Warriors who finished shooting 46.9-percent (30-for-64) from the floor, including 12-for-20 (60%) in the third quarter.

Freshman Kayla Raymond was the lone Stonehill player in double-figures, notching the first 30-point game of her collegiate career as she scored 24 of her season-high 32 points in the second half, finishing 14-of-24 shooting from the floor, including 4-for-9 from three-point distance, while adding four rebounds, an assist and steal. Junior Grace Carter added nine points, connecting on 3-of-6 three-pointers, with three boards and two steals, while classmate Gabrielle Reuter recorded eight points, two rebounds and two blocked shots. Junior Kelsey Shaw grabbed a team-high seven rebounds and dished out seven assists to go with four steals.

Carter chipped in nine points, three rebounds and two steals. (PHOTO BY Jan Volk/SportsPix)

Merrimack held a two-point halftime edge (32-20) after a first half in which neither team led by more than five. Stonehill went cold to start the second half, going the first three and a half minutes without a basket and the Warriors staked out a seven-point lead (37-30) after a Werner jumper just past the three minute mark of the frame. A Werner layup gave Merrimack a ten point lead (44-34) midway through the quarter and after back to back baskets from senior Maty Diabate and Raymond, the hosts scored 15-straight points to open a 21-point cushion (59-38) after a layup by senior Lexi Martin with 29-seconds to play in the third. Davis-Stewart scored six and Werner added four points during the push.

Merrimack carried a 19-point lead (59-40) into the fourth quarter. Stonehill pulled within 15 (60-45) after a Carter three-pointer with 7:38 remaining, but the Warriors retained a 19-point lead (66-47) with a Kimball triple just past the midway point of the frame. Three-straight three-pointers and 11 points overall from Raymond over the next three minutes had Stonehill back within ten (70-60) with two minutes still to play. The run would end there, however, as Werner made two free-throws to stretch the Warriors lead to 13 (73-60) with 43-seconds remaining and seal the win despite two more Skyhawk threes from Raymond and Carter in the waning seconds.

Stonehill (17-8, 12-7 NE10) is back on the road on Saturday, when it visits Assumption College at 1:30 p.m. The Skyhawks return to Merkert Gym next Tuesday, February 26, to host Saint Anselm College, ranked seventh in the region, for Senior Night at 5:30 p.m. Merrimack (18-8, 11-8 NE10) hosts No. 14/16 nationally-ranked Bentley University on Saturday at 1 p.m.

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