FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Visiting Merrimack College outscored the Sacred Heart University women's basketball team 21-14 in the fourth quarter of the Northeast Conference season finale for both teams. The Warriors defeated the Pioneers, 64-57, on Thursday. 

Records:
Merrimack: 5-10, 5-10 NEC
Sacred Heart: 8-10, 8-8 NEC

Top Performers:
Kelsey Wood (SHU): 17 points
Nikki Johnson (SHU): 10 points, 8 rebounds, 9 assists
Jayme Decesare (MC): 16 points, 

Of Note:
The loss ends a topsy-turvy season for the Pioneers that saw them pause basketball activities several times due to CoVID-19. Sacred Heart has five seniors on this year's squad who have the option to return with the NCAA waiver granting all student-athletes an extra year of eligibility.

Two Jayla Davis free throws gave SHU a 52-50 advantage with 3:51 to play. Merrimack responded with a 6-0 run over the next two and half minutes that was just enough of an advantage. Davis stopped the run with a layup, but Jayme Decesare answered with a layup of her own and the Warriors made all six of their free throws to ice the game.

The first three quarters were back and forth with each team grabbing a lead only to let the other get back into the contest. SHU held Merrimack scoreless for the final 4:17 of the first half and Nikki Johnson's three-pointer cut the Warriors' lead to 34-32 at the break.

Merrimack took advantage of the free throw line, shooting 93.8 percent (15-of-16), compared to 8-of-14 by the hosts. The Warriors also outrebounded the Pioneers, 43-32.

In perhaps the final game for the five seniors it was a rookie who led the way as Kelsey Wood came off the bench to score a game-high 17 points. Johnson nearly recorded a triple double with 10 points, eight rebounds and nine assists.

Decasare topped the Warriors with 16 points while Kate Mager added 14. Mayson Kimball pulled in a game-high 11 rebounds.