PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – After fighting back from a 15-point first-quarter deficit, the Pace University women's basketball team was ultimately defeated by Merrimack College on Saturday afternoon, 62-59. The loss drops the Setters' record on the year to 8-7 as Pace falls to 5-3 in Northeast-10 Conference play.

Inside the Numbers
*Freshman Lauren Schetter (Beacon, NY/Beacon High School) was the leading scorer for the Blue and Gold for a second-straight contest, recording 19 points. Schetter shot 7-of-18 from the field, and matched her season-high with five made free throws. Pace's leading rebounder for the season added six boards off the defensive glass to bring her total for the year to an even 100, as well as setting a new career high with five assists. The freshman forward closed out her statline for the day with three blocks and a steal.

*Alexandra Monteleone (Cold Spring, NY/Haldane) finished right behind Schetter with 18 points on the day. The junior guard hit a season-high three deep balls to lead Pace from beyond the arc. Monteleone surpassed Jackie DelliSanti (Commack, NY/Commack) to become the team's leading scorer for the season, averaging 12.5 points per game.

*On the topic of DelliSanti, the sophomore guard scored 12 points to round out the top scorers for the Blue and Gold. DelliSanti was Pace's leading playmaker under the glass, recording five offensive and defensive rebounds apiece. It was the first time since Nov. 15 that she hauled in double digit boards.

*Freshman Naya Rivera (Pomona, NY/North Rockland) matched her career high with four steals, putting pressure on the Merrimack ball handlers all game long.

How it Happened
Merrimack came out hot, limiting the Setters to a single basket over the opening seven and a half minutes to develop a 15-2 lead. The Blue and Gold were held to 3-of-15 shooting from the field in the first quarter, allowing the Warriors to build their advantage to as high as 15 points and take a 19-7 lead at the end of one.

Pace began their fight back as the second quarter rolled on. After Merrimack scored the first points of the quarter with a three pointer, the Setters rattled off eight unanswered points to move the score to 24-18. Pace was able to continue pulling closer, cutting the Merrimack lead down to as low as three. The Warriors regained some breathing room with a pair of free throws, while neither offense was able to add additional points on the board in the closing three and a half minutes, giving the Warriors a 30-25 lead at the half.

After the Setters brought the Merrimack lead down to a single possession twice to open the third quarter, the Warriors went on a 10-0 run midway through the frame to take a 46-33 lead. Pace closed out the quarter by outscoring the Warriors 10-6 over the final four minutes to pull closer, as Merrimack ended the third with a 52-43 advantage.

The Blue and Gold were able to continue outscoring Merrimack over the final 10 minutes by a 16-10 margin, including a 7-3 run over the first five minutes to move the score to 55-50 in favor of the Warriors. Pace continued to execute on their opportunities in the closing minutes, eventually claiming a 59-58 edge with two and a half minutes left for their first lead of the day. Merrimack was able to retake the lead off two free throws, and held the Setters off the scoreboard for the remainder of regulation to take the 62-59 victory.

Up Next
The Blue and Gold will be back at the Goldstein Fitness Center on Wednesday for another NE10 matchup. The Setters will host Franklin Pierce with a 5:30 p.m. tip for game one of a Pace doubleheader.