NORTH ANDOVER, MA– The Merrimack College Women's basketball team clinched a spot in the NEC semifinals after a beatdown of the number five seeded Central Connecticut State University Blue Devils. 
 
The Basics
Score: CCSU 51, Merrimack 76
Records: CCSU (9-21, 7-9), Merrimack (12-18, 9-8)
Location: Hammel Court / North Andover, MA
 
Rapid Recap
Merrimack ended their regular season on a three game skid and desperately needed to right the ship. They would do more than that in this one. It was a close contest throughout the first half of the first quarter. It wasn't until the five minute mark when the Warriors started to break it open. They would end the quarter on a 13-4 run to take a 21-12 lead heading into the second. In the second quarter the offense was ignited. They would continue to add to their lead and extend throughout the frame. They would push their advantage to as much as 23 points behind great shooting from Kaylee Thomas, an impenetrable force inside in Madison Roman, and a pair of facilitators in Paloma Garcia and Jayme DeCesare. Merrimack entered the half up nineteen at 42-23.
 
The third quarter saw Merrimack sustain their dominance as they got the lead to the largest of the contest at 25 points. The team was firing on all cylinders. Thomas making shots, DeCesare dropping dimes, Roman grabbing boards and the team playing hard nose defense. They would enter the fourth quarter still up by a large amount at 61-39. In the fourth quarter the Blue Devils ratcheted up their full court pressure and the game became a bit sloppy. Numerous fouls and easy fast break baskets for the Warriors with a fair share of turnovers mixed in ensued. Still, the Merrimack attack was relentless and they continued to pour it on. They would dominate from start to finish ending the night with a 76-61 win over the Blue Devils.
 
Notes and Numbers

• Kaylee Thomas secured a career high 28 points and 6 three pointers
• Madison Roman also notched a career high with 17 rebounds
• As a team Merrimack shot over 47% from three and over 80% from the line

 
Up Next
The Warriors head to the semifinals on Thursday to face the number one seeded Sacred Heart Pioneers.
 
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