Newburgh, N.Y. – Sophomore Jessica Rini (Seaford, N.Y.) scored better than 20 points for the first time in her career on Wednesday, netting a career-best 23 in a hard fought 54-47 home loss to Mount Saint Vincent. Rini accounted for 10 of the team's 18 field goals in the game.
 
Wednesday's lead changed hands just twice with both coming on back-to-back possessions early in the fourth quarter. After trailing by 12 points at halftime on Wednesday, the Knights outscored the Dolphins 16-7 in the third period and took their only lead of the game on a Rini lay-in with 7:33 left in regulation that gave the Knights a slim 38-37 lead.
 
Mount Saint Vincent answered back on the next possession with a Christina Barone layup to retake the lead for the good in the game. The bucket started a 13-3 run for the visitors that saw them open a 50-41 lead on a Gabriella Melgar three-pointer with 47 seconds left in regulation time to seal the victory.
 
After surrendering 20 first quarter points to the Dolphins, Mount Saint Mary's defense allowed just 34 over the final three periods and held Mount Saint Vincent to 33.3-percent shooting after halftime. Rini scored 17 of her points after the break on 7-for-14 shooting over the final two periods.
 
Mount Saint Vincent maintained the lead throughout the first period on Wednesday and shot 57.1-percent in the first quarter in building a 20-9 lead after 10 minutes of play. The Knights held Mount Saint Vincent to 3-for-13 shooting in the second stanza, but went 0-for-4 from three-point range and just 1-for-4 from the free-throw line in trailing 30-18 at the break.
 
The Knights finished the first half shooting just 21.4-percent from the floor and went 0-for-7 from distance, while Mount Saint Vincent converted at just under 41-percent and knocked in four three-point field goals. Brittany Carroll led all players at the break with 11 points for the Dolphins.
 
The Mount continued its stingy defense in the third period, allowing the visitors to convert just three field goals, while going 6-for-15 from the floor in slicing its disadvantage to 37-34 after three periods. Rini went 3-for-5 from the floor in the third quarter, scoring eight points.
 
The Barone lay-in to give Mount Saint Vincent the lead back was the first of the fourth quarter for the Dolphins who were able to hold off the Knights with a pair of triples in the period and a four point advantage from the free-throw line.
 
Rini finished off her career night 10-for-20 from the floor, adding four rebounds and a pair of blocked shots. She scored in double-figures for the sixth straight game and for the twelfth time this season. She also posted career-highs in field goals made and attempts on Wednesday.
 
Freshman Kayla Cleare (West Hempstead, N.Y.) finished the evening with seven points and five rebounds, with Elizabeth Limonta (Stewrat Manor, N.Y.) adding a team-high seven boards and six points. Cleare, Megan Kerutis (Merrimack, N.H.) and Janae Graham (Orange, Conn.) each led the way with two assists each.
 
Mount Saint Vincent was led by 13 points off the bench from Carroll and received 10 points, six rebounds and three assists from Barone. Alexandra Gundermann added eight points and four blocks.
 
Mount Saint Mary was held to 29-percent shooting in the game and went 0-for-9 from behind the arc, marking the third time this season the team has not connected from bonus distance. The Dolphins shot 37.3-percent for the game and knocked in six three-point field goals.
 
Wednesday's loss drops Mount Saint Mary to 6-10 overall on the season and to 4-5 in Skyline Conference action. The Knights will look to rebound on Friday when they travel to Purchase. Tip-off with the Panthers is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

Follow the Knights on Twitter@MSMCKnights