Box Score

FARMINGDALE, N.Y. – Despite leading by four at the half, the Mount Saint Mary College women's basketball team suffered a 56-45 loss to Farmingdale State College in a Skyline Conference contest. The Knights move to 15-3 on the season and 7-1 in Skyline play. With the win, the Rams improve to 9-7 and 8-1 in the Skyline.

With both teams struggling in the early minutes of the first half, Farmingdale State College Natasha Smalls () converted an old-fashioned three point play to put the Rams ahead by two, 6-4. Mount sophomore Rachel Perrone (Poughquag, N.Y.) quickly responded with a jumper to knot things up at 6-6 with 14:56 on the clock. After the Rams knocked down a three-pointer to regain the slight lead, the Knights ignited for a 7-0 run to take a 13-9 advantage with under ten to go in the half.

Both teams continued to battle in the closing minutes of the half and strong shooting by Mount senior Jen Mocanu (Belford, N.J.) allowed the Knights to stay on top. Mocanu accounted for eight of the Knights' 12 points in the final six minutes of the half and her team led 25-21 at the break.

Farmingdale State College senior Kayla Koch (Kings Park, N.Y.) knocked down two quick jumpers just to pull the Rams to within one, 30-29 at the 16:25 mark. The next three minutes of play were marked by six lead changes and with 12:24 on the clock Farmingdale State College junior Jeanette Zubizarreta (Bay Shore, N.Y.) converted two free throw attempts to put the Rams on top, 38-37.

With just 8:49 remaining and her team down by three, 40-37, Mocanu hit two from the free throw line to break a scoring drought that spanned four minutes.  Mocanu's second free brought the Knights to within one, 40-39, however another scoring drought followed for the Mount.

Up by just four, Farmingdale State College junior Nikita Green (Roosevelt, N.Y.) knocked down a jumper with 4:11 on the clock that put the Rams up by six, 47-41. In a one minute span, Smalls rattled off five consecutive points to give the Rams an eleven point advantage. Green and Koch sealed the win at the free throw line in the waning seconds of the game and the Rams finished with a 56-45 win.

Mocanu was a bright spot for the Knights, scoring a game-high 27 points. Senior Amanda Horvers (Kingston, N.Y.) added six points and seven boards in the loss.

The Rams had three players with double-digit scoring efforts. Koch finished with 13 points, Zubizarreta added 10 and freshman Nora Connolly (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) also contributed 10.

The Mount will look to rebound quickly as they host Baruch College on Monday night. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m.