HIRAM, Oh. -- Led by a 25-point performance from Karissa Mercier (Freedom, Pa., Freedom), the Mount Aloysius women's basketball team had its highest scoring output of the season, but could not hang on to a first-half lead, falling 78-66 to host Hiram College on Saturday afternoon.

Leaders
- Mercier tallied a career-high 25 points, including five 3-pointers, while also contributing six rebounds, three assists, and three steals.
- Cameron Bates (Fort Pierce, Fla., John Carroll) reached a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds, and she dished out six assists and blocked two shots.
- Hailey Drutarosky (Freedom, Pa., Sewickley Academy) was also in double figures with 11 points, while Chloe Clemons (Kailua, Hawaii, Kalaheo) chipped in eight points, including two 3-pointers.
- Hanna Rittenhouse (Mc Veytown, Pa., Mifflin County) had five points, nine rebounds, and three assists.

How It Happened
- The Mounties controlled the opening portion of the game, leading 7-0 after the first three minutes. They kept a slight lead until Hiram tied the game, 9-9, at the 3:25 mark. In the next minute, Hiram scored five straight points to go ahead 14-9. However, Mount Aloysius responded with two free throws from Bates and a Mercier layup to conclude the first quarter down by just one point, 14-13.
- A 3-pointer by Mercier began an 11-point run for the Mounties at the start of the third quarter, giving them a 24-14 lead. Another Mercier 3-pointer increased the margin to 11 points, 29-18, at the 4:19 mark. Hiram chipped away at the advantage as the clock ticked down but Mount Aloysius still led 31-27 heading into halftime.
- After the first minute of the third quarter, Mount Aloysius stretched the margin to seven points, 36-29. The game tightened, with the Mounties holding on to a slight edge, until Hiram evened the score, 41-41, at the 3:53 mark. A Mercier 3-pointer put Mount Aloysius ahead, 47-44, with just two minutes remaining in the period. Hiram, however, scored six unanswered points to close the quarter, taking over the lead, 50-47.
- In the final quarter, Hiram took control of the game, but Mount Aloysius continued to fight and was within only a two-possession margin several times. Hiram picked up its offense, especially from long range, connecting on six 3-pointers in the period. Hiram would go on to win by a final score of 78-66, as the Mounties continue a tough run through their non-conference schedule.

Into the Box Score
- Mount Aloysius was 14-of-18 at the charity stripe for 77.8 percent, compared to Hiram's 72.7 percent.
- Both teams had the exact same field goal percentage of 35.5 percent and hit an equal number of 3-pointers (eight each).
- Hiram controlled the boards, outrebounding the Mounties 52-35, including 21 offensive rebounds, resulting in 29 second chance points.

Up Next
- The Mounties face off against Shenandoah University in their final home game of the fall semester on Wed. Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.