NORTH ANDOVER, MA – The Merrimack College Women's basketball team added another NEC win with a compelling victory over Stonehill behind a career night from freshman forward Madison Roman.
 
The Basics
Score: Stonehill 56, Merrimack 74
Records: Stonehill (3-20, 3-8), Merrimack  (9-15, 6-5)
Location: Hammel Court / North Andover, MA
 
Rapid Recap
The game started off slow with both teams struggling to find the bottom of the basket. The seal was finally broken and both teams traded points keeping it tight throughout the first. The end of the quarter concluded with back to back deep three balls from Jayme DeCesare, one that beat the buzzer, giving the Warriors a 19-10 lead. The second quarter was even closer as Stonehill crept back in the ball game and continued to answer all of Merrimack's attempts to grow their lead. Stonehill got it to a one point game at 28-27 and ended the half trailing just two at 30-28.
 
The third quarter started with a Jayme DeCesare three and then a Madison Roman layup shortly after to push their lead to seven at 35-28. Credit to the Skyhawks who were resilient. Stonehill was once again able to answer the burst from the Warriors bringing it to a tie ball game at 37. Merrimack was finally able to pull away, continuing to string together offensive possessions and push their lead to eleven behind some great play from the trio of Shepard, Roman, and DeCesare. Merrimack entered the final frame up 11 points at 51-40. The fourth quarter was more of the same from the Warriors as they added onto their lead. They made it as much as 20 points before leaving Hammel Court with an 18 point win at home, 74-56, on Play 4 Kay Night.
 
Notes and Numbers

• Madison Roman notched her career high with 21 points and added 11 rebounds for her double double
• Thalia Shepard secured a double double with 12 points and 12 rebounds
• Jayme DeCesare added 13 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists

 
Up Next
Merrimack will play its first road game in two weeks with a matchup against LIU in Brooklyn on February 17th at 2:00 PM.
 
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