• Box Score 

OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (Jan. 3, 2012) - Senior Cierra Baker (Windsor, Conn.) and junior Rebecca Lynch (Hillsdale, N.J.) tied the game-high 16 points to lead NYIT women's basketball to an 83-69 win over Mercy in East Coast Conference action Tuesday afternoon. It was the Bears's fourth straight win and they improve to 8-4 on the season and 2-0 in league play. Mercy remains winless at 0-11 and 0-3 in ECC action.

"This was a great way to begin the ECC season in 2012," said head coach Anthony Crocitto. "We must build on each win and stay humble."

Baker also had a near double-double with nine rebounds. In addition, Nikki Jo Rotolo (Rome, N.Y.) and Alexandra Venuto (Ossining, N.Y.) added 12 points, while Sabrinna Moore (Flushing, N.Y.) had a near double-double with 11 points and eight steals. 

"Sabrinna was superb on both ends of the court and Rebecca once again was steady and our glue throughout the game," added Crocitto. "Seeing more of our players involved was fantastic and makes us harded to scout."

Altough NYIT controlled the scoreboard from the very beginning, Mercy utilized a 94.4 free throw percentage and several second chance opportunities to make key runs and stay alive in the contest. Of the five Mavericks sent to the foul line, four were perfect from the charity stripe and Talia Beaulieu went 5-for-6.

The Bears earned their largest lead on two occasions late in the first half. After a layup by Baker, which made the score 28-13, NYIT went on an 11-2 run to claim a 37-15 edge with 7:09 to play. Mercy tried to chip away at the lead with baskets by Simone Williams and MarQuesha Moore, but NYIT remained in control and led 45-28 at halftime.

However, midway through the second half the Mavericks used a series of free throws and layups by Simone Williams and Jasmine Williams to create a 10-0 run that brought Mercy within 10 points 61-50 with 9:27 to play. Yet, that was the closest the Mavericks would get as the Bears rallied and reached a 75-57 advantage on an old fashioned three-point play by Venuto. NYIT went on to win 83-69 on a layup by Rotolo.

For Mercy, Jasmine Williams tied the game-high 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. Simone Williams had 10 defense boards to go along with her 12 points. Moore also had 12 points and Beaulieu rounded out the Mavericks scoring with 11 points. 

NYIT returns to action on Saturday, Jan. 7 when it travels to Molloy. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. in Rockville Centre, N.Y.