By Julian Mackool, Sports Staffer
ERIE, Pa. — The St. Bonaventure University women’s basketball team edged Mercyhurst 60-57 in a nail-biter Wednesday night at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center.
Graduate guard Laycee Drake scored all of Bonaventure’s points in the first quarter — outscoring the Lakers herself 12-8.
Mercyhurst responded with a momentum shift in the second quarter, outscoring St. Bonaventure 23–15 to take a 31–27 lead into halftime.
St. Bonaventure tightened its defense in the third quarter, allowing only seven points while scoring 19. The Bonnies reclaimed the lead at 33–31 with 6:33 left in the period and carried that energy into the fourth quarter.
The Bonnies led by as many as eight with 5:08 remaining, but Mercyhurst refused to fold. Freshman guard Shannon Heine knocked down a late 3-pointer to cut the deficit to two with 12 seconds left.
St. Bonaventure senior guard Aaliyah Parker was fouled with eight seconds remaining and went to the line for two free throws. She missed the first but converted the second, giving the Bonnies a 60–57 advantage.
Mercyhurst freshman guard Sofia Wilson had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer but missed a 3-pointer, sealing the win for St. Bonaventure.
Drake powered the Bonnies with 19 points and 10 rebounds, shooting 72% from the field and 75% from beyond the arc. Wilson led Mercyhurst with 23 points and hit 54% of her 3-point attempts.
St. Bonaventure (9–3) travels to Washington, D.C., to face Howard (7–5) on Saturday, Dec. 20, at 2 p.m. on ESPN+. Mercyhurst (0–9) will visit Mount St. Mary’s on Monday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at Knott Arena in Emmitsburg, Maryland, on ESPN+.
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