Marist Women’s Season Ends in NCAA Tournament

By Mike Ferraro

SAN ANTONIO, TX – The 15th-seeded Marist women’s basketball team had its season come to an end in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Monday night. The Red Foxes led into the second quarter, but were defeated by second-seeded Louisville, 74-43.

Willow Duffell scored the game’s first points on a layup just 16 seconds in, and Allie Best’s three-pointer staked Marist to a 5-0 lead at the 7:04 mark of the first quarter.

Marist held Louisville scoreless for the first 3:42, and the Red Foxes held the Cardinals to two points in the first 5:30.

Marist led by six on two occasions in the first quarter, and led 15-12 after 10 minutes.

Three-pointers by Trinasia Kennedy and Sarah Barcello on back-to-back possessions extended Marist’s lead to nine with 8:16 left in the second quarter.

Louisville responded with seven straight points, as Marist was held scoreless for 4:07.

The Cardinals took their first lead with 2:21 left in the second quarter on a three-point play by Mykasa Robinson.

Louisville closed the second quarter on a 17-3 run, and took a 29-24 edge to the locker room.

Barcello opened the third quarter scoring with a three at the 8:19 mark, which cut Marist’s deficit to two.

After Barcello’s three, Louisville held Marist without a field goal for the remainder of the quarter. The Cardinals went on a 22-1 run, and led 55-33 after 30 minutes.

Louisville’s lead reached a game-high of 33 in the fourth quarter.

“Obviously we lost to a great team,” Marist head coach Brian Giorgis said. “They’re seeded second for a reason. We gave them a good run into the second quarter. … Their defense was excellent; they caused us a lot of confusion.”

“Just my teammates, how awesome they are, and how much of a family we are. I’m going to miss them, and the memories we made,” Duffell said.