DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Jan. 29, 2011) – Two Bears posted 20+ points but it was not enough as NYIT women’s basketball fell 79-74 on the road at Mercy College. Junior Cierra Baker (Windsor, Conn.) led the game with 26 points and 16 rebounds, while sophomore Rebecca Lynch (Hillsdale, N.J.) added 25 points.

 

Lynch also tallied five steals as NYIT dropped to 6-12 on the season and 4-9 in East Coast Conference play.

 

For the Mavericks (5-12, 3-9 ECC), Jasmine Williams netted 24 points, while Aysha Williams added 21 points and 11 rebounds. Simone Williams and Ashley Borofsky also registered 10 points each in the victory.

The Bears built a 13-2 lead with 13:48 to play in the first half. However, the Mavericks rallied to take a 16-15 lead with 9:52 to go on a pair of free throws from Jasmine Williams. Mercy continued to push ahead and earned a 35-23 lead going into the second half.

 

The Mavericks picked up right where they left off and owned a 16-point advantage early on. Yet, NYIT was not about to back down quietly. The Bears produced a 21-4 run, sparked by free throw from Baker, to knot the score 44-44 with 12:09 to play. The game was tied twice more and the two teams exchanged one-point leads before NYIT claimed a 62-56 lead with 4:01 on the clock. However, the Mavericks fought back and tied the game for a sixth time before taking a two-point edge with 50 seconds left in regulation. With 18 seconds to go, Lynch was sent to the charity stripe and made two huge free throws to knot the game, 64-64, and send it into overtime.

 

In extra minutes, NYIT won the opening tip and Baker made a breakaway layup. But, Mercy responded with a 6-0 run fueled by Aysha Williams. Yet, the Bears fought back and Baker knotted the game at 70 with 2:26 remaining. The score was tied for the 10th time at 72, but Mercy built a three-point lead with 24 second to play. Baker dropped two more free throws to bring the game within one with 23 seconds to play. However, a pair of free throws from Aysha Williams put Mercy up 77-74. The Mavericks scored their finals points on another set of free throws.

 

NYIT returns to action on Wednesday, Feb. 2 when it hosts Molloy College. Tip-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Recreation Hall.