NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Interstat) — The Mercyhurst Lakers earned an 80-63 women’s basketball victory over Central Connecticut on Thursday night at William H. Detrick Gymnasium. Mercyhurst built a steady lead, holding a 42-36 advantage at halftime before pulling away in the second half. The Lakers improved to 3-13 this season, while the Blue Devils fell to 0-16. Jenna Van Schaik led Mercyhurst with 22 points. Cici Hernandez added 20 points for the Lakers. Jessica Farrell scored 21 points for Central Connecticut in the loss. Lucia Noin contributed 17 points for the Blue Devils. An attendance of 287 watched the nonconference game.

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Interstat) — In a matchup of teams desperately seeking momentum, the Mercyhurst Lakers found a path to victory on the road Thursday night, defeating the Central Connecticut Blue Devils in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball game at William H. Detrick Gymnasium. The Lakers, who improved to 3-13 overall, used a balanced scoring attack and a decisive third-quarter surge to pull away from the winless Blue Devils, who fell to 0-16. The final score reflected a game that was competitive early but ultimately saw Mercyhurst establish and maintain control. The first half was a tightly contested affair, with both teams trading baskets and the lead changing hands several times. Mercyhurst guard Lena Walz opened the scoring with a 3-pointer just 18 seconds in, setting an early tone. Central Connecticut responded through the inside presence of Kayla Henry and the versatile play of Lucia Noin, keeping pace. The Blue Devils’ Jessica Farrell, a guard from Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, began to heat up late in the first quarter, scoring six points to help her team stay within two, 20-18, after the opening period. The second quarter continued the back-and-forth trend. Farrell’s scoring prowess kept Central Connecticut close, while Mercyhurst relied on key contributions from Cici Hernandez and Jenna Van Schaik. A layup by Central Connecticut’s Kiyah Lewis with just over nine minutes left in the half gave the Blue Devils a 22-21 lead, their last of the game. Mercyhurst quickly responded, and the teams entered halftime separated by just four points, with the Lakers leading 42-36. The most important part of the game unfolded in the third quarter, where Mercyhurst’s defense clamped down and its offensive execution created separation. The Lakers held Central Connecticut to just 12 points in the period, disrupting their rhythm and forcing difficult shots. Offensively, Mercyhurst methodically extended its lead. Van Schaik, a guard from Cincinnati, Ohio, was instrumental, scoring seven points in the quarter. A driving layup by Hernandez at the 5:19 mark capped a 7-0 run that pushed the Lakers’ advantage to 49-38. Central Connecticut struggled to counter, managing only two field goals in the final six minutes of the quarter. By the start of the fourth, Mercyhurst had built a commanding 59-48 lead. Central Connecticut made several efforts to rally in the final period. Farrell, who finished with a game-high 21 points, along with two assists and a block, scored eight points in the quarter. A layup by Noin, who had 17 points and three assists, cut the deficit to 61-54 with just over five minutes to play. Each time the Blue Devils threatened, however, Mercyhurst had an answer. Sofia Wilson and Van Schaik hit crucial baskets to stem the tide. Van Schaik led the Lakers with 22 points, while Hernandez added 20. Wilson, from Avon Lake, Ohio, provided a well-rounded performance with 14 points and five assists. Mercyhurst’s ability to share the ball and capitalize on opportunities proved decisive. The Lakers recorded 15 assists on their 28 field goals and out-rebounded Central Connecticut. Walz, despite an off shooting night, contributed eight points and five assists while playing a team-high 37 minutes. Alena Fusetti added nine points off the bench for the Lakers. For Central Connecticut, the loss extended a difficult start to the season. Beyond Farrell and Noin, Henry posted 15 points and two blocks, and Lewis added 10 points. The Blue Devils committed 18 turnovers, which led to 15 points for Mercyhurst. The announced attendance was 287. According to National Statistical’s ELO system, Mercyhurst entered the game with a 57.80 percent probability to win. Both teams return to conference play on Saturday, with Mercyhurst traveling to face Stonehill and Central Connecticut hosting Saint Francis (PA).

Preview: Mercyhurst Lakers at Central Connecticut Blue Devils NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (Interstat) — Two teams seeking to escape the bottom of the standings will meet Thursday when the Mercyhurst Lakers visit the Central Connecticut Blue Devils in a Northeast Conference women’s basketball matchup at William H. Detrick Gymnasium. Both programs have struggled mightily this season. Central Connecticut (0-15) is one of the few remaining winless teams in Division I, while Mercyhurst (2-13) has found victories scarce outside of a recent conference win over Wagner. The game represents perhaps the best opportunity yet for the Blue Devils to break into the win column. They are coming off a narrow 65-61 loss to Le Moyne on Saturday, a game in which they held a halftime lead. Central Connecticut was led in that contest by freshman forward Kiyah Lewis, who posted 14 points, nine rebounds and four blocks. Lewis has been a consistent bright spot, averaging 11.7 points over her last six games. Mercyhurst, however, arrives with a bit of momentum after snapping a three-game skid with its 69-66 victory over Wagner. The Lakers are led by guard Sofia Wilson, who is averaging 18.4 points over her last five games. In the win against Wagner, Wilson scored 17 points and was complemented by a 22-point effort from Lena Walz. Historically, this is a non-conference game organized by the NEC, as Mercyhurst is in its final transition period to full Division I membership. The Lakers have shown offensive capability in spurts, scoring 89 points in a win at Le Moyne on Jan. 4, but have also been held under 50 points four times this season. Central Connecticut’s challenges have been more comprehensive, ranking near the bottom nationally in several offensive categories. They have not scored more than 66 points in a game this season and are allowing an average of 74.5 points per contest. For the Blue Devils, containing Wilson will be paramount. For the Lakers, avoiding a letdown against a desperate, winless opponent is the key. The matchup pits Mercyhurst’s occasionally potent backcourt against Central Connecticut’s interior presence, led by Lewis. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 15. Following this game, Mercyhurst will travel to face Stonehill on Saturday, while Central Connecticut will host Saint Francis (Pa.).