IMMACULATA, Pa. – The Immaculata women's basketball team is set to battle for the Atlantic East Championship title on Saturday as they host Gwynedd Mercy in a 2:00 P.M. showdown in Alumnae Hall. The winner of the contest not only takes home the title of 2021-22 Atlantic East Champion, but also receives an automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament.
 
The contest will be the Macs' first appearance in the Atlantic East Championship and their first conference championship appearance since the Colonial State Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championship game in 2015.
 
"Our team worked extremely hard to earn the two seed this season," began head coach Chrissy Rhine. "That worked continued throughout the first two rounds and now we are excited to be playing for a championship on our home court."
 
The Mighty Macs were ranked as the second seed heading into the Atlantic East Tournament after ending the regular season with a 15-8 record along with an 8-4 record in conference play. The Macs first defeated the No. 7 Centenary on Monday in the quarterfinal round by a score of 62-43. Four Macs reached double digits in points on the contest as the Macs came together as a unit. The Macs then took down No. 3 Cabrini on Wednesday evening by a score of 66-56. Morgan Falcone led the Macs with 17 points while Abigail Lentowski and Theresa Kearney both reached double digits.
 
"Our offense is built in such a way that any person is capable of stepping up on any given day," said Rhine. "Our offense is not geared around one or two players. Instead, we focus on everyone being an offensive threat and taking the best shot each time."
 
The Macs' opponents on Sunday, Gwynedd Mercy, entered the Atlantic East Tournament as the four-seed following a 13-12 regular season record and a 7-5 record in conference play. Haley Crossley led the Griffins through their first round victory against Neumann, scoring 26 points in a 74-73 victory. Crossley then dropped 21 points and 16 rebounds to earn a double-double as the Griffins took down the No. 1 seed Marymount Saints in the semifinal round 70-59.
 
Immaculata and Gwynedd Mercy split their season. Gwynedd Mercy took the first contest on January 15^th, defeating Immaculata 95-91 in overtime. Crossley dropped 33 points on the game while Lynzie Eggers scored 22 for Gwynedd. Immaculata then defeated Gwynedd Mercy 82-66 in their second meeting on February 9^th. Graduate student Theresa Kearney led the Macs with a double-double on the night, dropping 21 points and 15 rebounds. Freshman Abigail Lentowsk also earned a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
 
"If we want to come out on top on Saturday, we have to continue sharing the ball, executing on offense, and controlling the pace of the game," explained Rhine.
 
Theresa Kearney has led the Mighty Macs' offense on the season, scoring 328 points while becoming the second-highest scoring student-athlete in Immaculata women's basketball history. Kearney has also added 169 rebounds on the season, just one behind Abigail Lentowski who leads the team with 170. Morgan Falcone has shined through with 27 points scored and 17 rebounds on the postseason while leading the Macs with 77 assists on the season.
 
"Going into the championship, my message to the team is the same as it has been all year: play hard and play together," concluded head coach Chrissy Rhine.