ATLANTIC CITY, NJ. – Danielle Williamsen compiled a team-high 22 points to lead No. 5 Marist women's basketball, but it wasn't enough, as the Red Foxes' comeback attempt came up short against No. 4 Mount St. Mary's, 68-65, in the MAAC Quarterfinals Thursday afternoon inside Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
Williamsen added four assists and two steals to go along with her 22 points, while
Ciara Croker added nine points of her own.
With the loss, Marist's season ends at 16-15.
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After falling behind 2-0, the Red Foxes rattled off a swift 10-0 run, backed by three-pointers from
Morgan Lee and
Lexie Tarul, before taking a 10-5 advantage into the media timeout.
Out of the break, Mount closed the frame with a 7-4 run to trim the Marist lead to 14-12 into the second.
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The Red Foxes opened the second with a quick 5-0 run, capped by a
Danielle Williamsen three-pointer to extend the Marist lead to 19-12.
However, the Mount responded with a 10-2 run to take a 22-21 lead heading into the media timeout with 3:42 left in the first half. The Mount St. Mary's run extended to 24-4, as the Mountaineers carried a 36-23 lead into halftime.
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The Mount opened the second half with a 16-4 run, stretching their lead to 52-27 at the media timeout with 3:59 to go in the third. The Mount did not let their foot off the gas, taking a 59-37 lead into the fourth.
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Marist used the first 6:30 of the quarter to go on a 16-4 run, forcing a Mount St. Mary's timeout with 3:32 to go in regulation, with Marist trailing 63-53.
Out of the timeout, Marist went on a swift 9-0 run to chip the deficit down to 63-59 with just over two minutes to go.
Trailing 64-59, Williamsen came up with a steal and finished the layup through contact for a three-point play, trimming the deficit to two with 1:11 left in regulation. After
Jackie Piddock knocked down a three to make it a one-point game, Marist came up with the stop to have a chance at the win with 11 seconds to go. However, the Red Foxes came up short, 68-65.
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- With the loss, Marist ends its season at 16-15
- Its 16 wins are the most for the Red Foxes since the 2020-21 season
- Its 16 wins are 10 more than last season's total
- Despite being picked to finish 11th in the MAAC preseason poll, the Red Foxes finished in fifth
- Danielle Williamsen led the charge for the Red Foxes with 22 points
- She added four assists and two steals in the loss
- Jackie Piddock added eight points, seven assists, and three steals
- Ciara Croker tallied nine points, seven rebounds, and three assists
To stay updated with all Marist women's basketball news, follow the program on Twitter/Instagram @MaristWBB or visit goredfoxes.com/sports/womens-basketball.
