BOX SCORE
FAIRBANKS, Alaska — The Dominican University of California women's basketball team wrapped up its trip to the Last Frontier with a 65-52 loss to Mercyhurst College on the third and final night of the Mt. McKinley Bank North Star Invitational hosted by Alaska-Fairbanks.
Halfway through the first 20 minutes Mercyhurst (1-4) led by a dozen. By halftime, the Dominican (1-5) women found themselves in a 24-point hole, 42-18. The Lakers built the second-half lead to 26 but Dominican chipped away. The Lady Penguins cut the lead to 16 thanks to a 10-2 run. With 8:36 to go, senior center
Raquel Gomes made a layup in the paint to cut the Laker lead to 10. Mercyhurst built the lead back to 17 though and Dominican's attempts to catch back up ran out with the clock.
Dominican's shooting woes continued, going just 20-of-61 (.328) for the game, which is slightly higher than the team's mark of .313 for the season. However, Dominican continues to shoot the ball well from deep and went 7-of-23 (.304) on the night, raising the team's season average 14 points higher than its overall field goal percentage. The Lakers went 21-of-39 (.538) for the night but reached the free throw line 25 times and connected on 15 of those attempts while Dominican reached the charity stripe only six times.
Senior guard
Kelsey Janusch and sophomore guard
Kimi Nakamura each led the Lady Penguins with nine points apiece. Janusch was the team leader with six rebounds. Gomes and sophomore forward
Melissa Wise each added seven points apiece in the loss. Gomes also dished out four assists and pulled down five boards in the loss.
Amy Achesinski recorded a double-double with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and 14 rebounds. Samantha Loadman added 13 points and five rebounds. Abby Allen took just one shot attempt but made it to the free throw line 16 times and added 11 points, all from the line.
The Lady Penguins don't play again until Saturday, December 11 when the Dominican women face Cal State East Bay at Humboldt State. Tipoff is slated for 3:30 p.m.
