Knights Fall to Mount Saint Vincent in Semifinal

By D.J. Bevivino

NEWBURGH – The Mount Saint Mary College Women’s Basketball team (18-8, 17-3 Skyline) fell short in a hard-fought battle against University of Mount Saint Vincent (21-6, 15-5 Skyline) Thursday night, dropping the Skyline Conference semifinal game 72-62.

After a strong first half performance, the Knights struggled to maintain their momentum in the second, ultimately falling victim to a resilient Dolphins team. Head Coach Marion Dietz acknowledged the challenge, stating, “Tough game. Struggled to respond consistently in the second half like we had in first half. Tough experience, but we will learn a lot from this.”

The Knights came out firing in the first quarter, establishing a 17-13 lead. Brianna Guglielmo (14 points) and Sara Cashin (14 points) provided early sparks with their offensive contributions. The defensive effort was equally impressive, holding the Dolphins to just 35% shooting from the field.

However, the script flipped in the second half. Mount Saint Vincent tightened up their defense, limiting the Knights to just 11 points in the second quarter. Offensive struggles continued in the third, as MSMC managed only 15 points, allowing the Dolphins to take a 35-33 lead heading into the final period.

Despite a valiant effort in the fourth, the Knights couldn’t overcome the deficit. While Casey Love (9 points) and Shannon Phelan (9 points) chipped in with key baskets, the Dolphins held strong at the free-throw line, sealing the victory.

While the Skyline Championship dream is over, the Knights still have a chance to compete in postseason play. Coach Dietz remains optimistic, stating, “We still have a chance to play in post-season play, and hopefully we get a chance to respond one more time this season.”

The team will wait for their ECAC bid announcement, hoping to extend their season. The experience gained from this tough loss will undoubtedly fuel their determination as they strive for success in the remaining tournament opportunities.