IMMACULATA, Pa. - The Immaculata University women's basketball team was unable to keep pace with visiting Misericordia in the Mighty Macs' 2018-19 season-opener Saturday afternoon at Alumnae Hall, falling to the Cougars 74-54. Amber Ballinger led the Macs with 18 points, four assists and five steals, while Annie Kohutka pitched in 14 of her own to pace the offense, but the Cougars countered by shooting 38.5 percent (25-65) from the field and converted 21 of their 28 free throw attempts to pull away late.

Theresa Kearney had eight points and seven boards in the effort.

HOW IT HAPPENED
-The Macs put together a strong offensive attack in the first quarter, as Ballinger netted her first of two threes on the day to open the scoring before Kearney added a pair of mid-range jumpers to give the Macs the lead at the five minute mark. Misericordia countered with an 8-2 run to take back the lead, and although IU got back within two on a pair of Kohutka free throws, the Cougars stretched their lead out to seven by the end of the period, 20-13.
-The Cougars doubled the Macs point total in the second quarter and extended their lead to double figures heading into halftime, leaving IU down 40-23.
-The Mighty Macs battled in the third quarter to keep the deficit at 17 as both sides struggled to get in a rhythm offensively. Natalie Ayoub produced nine of the Macs' 14 points in the third, shooting a perfect 4-for-4 from the field.
-Kohutka and Ballinger combined to shoot 6-for-10 from the field in the fourth, netting 15 of the Macs' 17 points in the quarter, but it was too little too late for the Macs as the Cougars shot 46.7 percent (7-15) in the frame to keep a commanding lead and taking the victory, 74, 54.

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
-Points: Ballinger 18, Kohutka 14, Ayoub 9
-Rebounds: Ayoub/Kearney 7
-Assists: Ballinger 4, Shannah/Ricker 3
-Steals: Ballinger 5

UP NEXT
Immaculata (0-1) travels to Haverford Monday night for a non-conference matchup set for 7 p.m.