HACKETTSTOWN, N.J.- The Immaculata women's basketball team never trailed Saturday afternoon as they defeated Centenary University 65-53. Immaculata improves their record on the season to 7-6 overall and 2-0 in Atlantic East Conference play.
Reese Mullins and Abigail Lentowski both scored in double figures for a second straight game for Immaculata. Reese Mullins led the Macs in scoring with 20 points and four rebounds. Abigail Lentowski scored 16 points and contributed eight rebounds. Meghan Ricker scored nine points and distributed four assists. Morgan Falcone scored five points and added two steals while Tessa Lilberatorscioli scored five points and contributed four steals for the Macs.
Immaculata opened a quick 11-0 lead in the first quarter before Centenary would get on the board. Reese Mullins would open the scoring hitting a free throw prior to the opening tipoff. Erin Kelly helped the Macs open a 4-0 with an early three-pointer. Morgan Falcone hit a pair of free throws and added a three-pointer late in the quarter as Immaculata held a 22-9 lead heading into the 2nd quarter.
The second quarter was much more competitive, as Immaculata outscored Centenary 17-16 in the quarter. Meghan Ricker got the Macs started, hitting a three-pointer early in the quarter. Centenary began chipping away at Immaculata's lead, but Immaculata got scores for Meghan Ricker, Reese Mullins, and Abigail Lentowski to carry a 39-25 lead into the halftime break.
In the first half Reese Mullins and Abigail Lentowksi each scored eight points and had two rebounds for the Mighty Macs. Meghan Ricker scored seven points, and Morgan Falcone scored five points and contributed three rebounds.
In the second half, Reese Mullins scored the first four points for Immaculata. Abigail Lentowski followed, scoring five points in the third quarter, including going 3-for-4 from the free-throw line. Immaculata would carry a 65-53 lead going into the fourth quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Centenary would trim the Immaculata lead to nine points with 4:45 remaining in the game. Tessa Liberatoscioli would extend the Macs lead back to 11 with a driving layup to put Immaculata up 56-45. Reese Mulllins hit a jumper with 2:43 remaining to put Immaculata up 58-45 with just 2:36 left on the clock. Immaculata would go on to take the win 65-53.
The Immaculata women's basketball team will be back in action on Wednesday, January 11th for their Atlantic East Conference home opener when they take part in the Atlantic East Conference "Play for Joey" initiative when the host Cabrini University at 6:00 PM.
