POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Marist University women's basketball team picked up its first conference win of the season with a 57-55 victory over Sacred Heart on Monday afternoon at McCann Arena.
 
Sophomore guard Danielle Williamsen led the way with 13 points, while senior captain guard Lexie Tarul added 12 points to help the Red Foxes snap a three-game losing skid. Freshman forward Justine Henry finished with 11 points.
 
Marist improves to 4-9 overall and 1-2 in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, while Sacred Heart falls to 4-8 on the season and 2-1 in conference play.
 

FIRST QUARTER

• Scared Heart took an early 8-2 lead at the 8:13 mark.
• Back-to-back 3-pointers from Williamsen and Tarul tied the game at 11-11 with 5:58 to go in the opening frame.
• A 12-2 run, including six points from sophomore guard Kasey Bretones and capped by a corner 3-pointer from sophomore guard Chloe Escanillas, gave the Red Foxes a 23-16 advantage.
• Marist led 23-18 after one quarter.

SECOND QUARTER

• The Red Foxes utilized a 7-0 run to take a 35-22 lead with 5:52 remaining in the half.
• Marist carried a 35-28 advantage into the break as Sacred Heart closed the half on a 6-0 run over the final 4:47.

THIRD QUARTER

• Sacred Heart used an 8-0 run to take a 38-37 lead at the 4:16 mark.
• Williamsen knocked down her second 3-pointer at the 1:49 mark to end a Marist field goal drought of more than five minutes and give the Red Foxes a 42-39 lead.
• Marist led 45-42 through three quarters.

FOURTH QUARTER

• The Pioneers opened the final frame with a 6-0 run to take a 48-45 lead. Senior captain guard Jackie Piddock answered with a 3-pointer to tie the game at the 7:12 mark.
• A mid-range jumper from Escanillas put Marist back in front, 50-48, with 5:20 remaining.
• The game was tied again at 50-50 with 2:37 to play before Tarul drained a 3-pointer to regain the lead.
• Sacred Heart answered with a bucket to pull within one at the 2:04 mark.
• Piddock converted a driving layup to make it 55-52 with 24 seconds left.
• The Pioneers tied the game with a 3-pointer, but Marist drew a foul on its final possession and Piddock calmly sank both free throws to take the lead.
• Sacred Heart had one last look with five seconds remaining, but the potential game-winning attempt rimmed out.

STATS

• Williamsen finished with a team-high 13 points, along with two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.
• Tarul added 12 points, three 3-pointers, and five rebounds.
• Henry recorded 11 points, five rebounds, and one steal.
• Piddock chipped in eight points, a game-high five assists, and a season-high four steals.
• Senior captain forward Ciara Croker pulled down a team-high six rebounds to go with three assists and two points.

UP NEXT

• The Red Foxes travel to Manhattan on Saturday, Jan. 3 for a MAAC matchup against the Jaspers.
• Tip-off is set for 2 p.m. on ESPN+.

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