ERIE, Pa. – The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team was bested by Mercyhurst University in its final game of the season, 71-52, Saturday on the road.
 
The Rock wrapped up their 2023-24 circuit with a 2-23 overall record and a 2-20 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference. The Lakers, who entered Saturday's game already having clinched a berth in the PSAC Tournament, will head into the postseason at 18-10 on the year and 14-8 in conference play.
 
Slippery Rock trailed by just four points at halftime, but Mercyhurst was able to pull away in the second half to secure the win.
 
Kristina Donza came off the court having earned a career-high 20 points in the effort. The Jackson, New Jersey native also pulled in three rebounds.
 
Both Regan Atkins and Endya Robinson added 10 points for Slippery Rock. Atkins and Robinson were also the top rebounders on the day for SRU, with Robinson leading the squad with seven boards and Atkins pulling in six.
 
Kaylin Venick led The Rock with two steals, while Donza and Robinson joined Deryn Moye, Hallie Raabe and Duda Raimundo in each recording an assist. Raabe (5), Anye Washington (4), Emily Venick (2) and Moye (1) rounded out Slippery Rock's scoring.
 
Despite trailing 14-7 halfway through the first quarter, back-to-back 3-pointers from well-beyond the arc courtesy of Donza rallied SRU's offense into gear. The Rock faced only a 16-13 deficit after the opening 10 minutes.
 
Consistent looks in the paint kept Slippery Rock in contention in the second quarter, not allowing a Mercyhurst lead of more than six points. After being outscored in the second period, 14-13, SRU hoped to overcome a 30-26 halftime difference.
 
While The Rock held the Lakers to runs of no greater than five points at a time, Mercyhurst was able to pull ahead to a 56-38 lead after the third quarter. The Lakers maintained that margin through the final 10 minutes on the way to the 19-point victory.
 
SRU shot 19-of-50 (.380) from the field and 2-of-17 (.118) from 3-point range. The Lakers were able to stay consistent offensively with a 27-of-57 (.474) clip from the hardwood, making 5-of-17 (.294) 3-pointers. Both sides did well from the foul line, each going 12-of-14 (.857). Mercyhurst came away with a 33-25 rebounding advantage.

Mercyhurst's scoring was spearheaded by Bailey Kuhns' 14 points. Allyson Ross, who scored a second-best 12 points, was one of four Lakers with a team-high five rebounds. 
 
Slippery Rock, led by first-year head coach Ryenn Micaletti, will now enjoy a well-earned off-season before regrouping for its 2024-25 campaign.




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