BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Medaille College women's basketball team returned to action against conference foe La Roche University at the Sullivan Center. The Mavs battled the RedHawks until the end, but dropped the game 58-79.

The first quarter featured a strong defensive effort from both teams. The RedHawks struck first with a made layup after two minutes of play. Another two minutes passed before Xaneya Thomas (Binghamton, NY, Binghamton) turned an offensive rebound into a made layup to get the Mavs on the board. Caiden Crego (Newark, NY, Lyons) and Thomas both made the most of their scoring opportunities to get Medaille the 5-4 lead. La Roche picked up the intensity to force multiple Medaille turnovers. The RedHawks took their momentum through the rest of the quarter to maintain the lead. Crego grabbed a late steal and layup, but the RedHawks kept their lead 12-9.

Shyanne Trinh (Dorchester, MA, Stoughton) hit a deep three-pointer to kick off the second quarter and tie the score at 12. The RedHawks responded quickly with 18 unanswered points to take a strong lead before Morgan Kennedy (Philadelphia, PA, West Catholic Prep) hit a jumper to break up their momentum. The Mavs continued to battle but the RedHawks were very aggressive on defense to put Medaille in a difficult position. La Roche capitalized on their scoring opportunities to go up 41-19 going into halftime.

Crego and Trinh were able to score early in the third quarter but the RedHawks hit another three to keep the Mavs from closing the gap. Erin Hardick (Buffalo, NY, Sacred Heart) found her rhythm in the third quarter where she scored ten points as the Mavs began to move the ball around more effectively. La Roche clung to their lead up 65-44 going into the last quarter of play.

Kennedy hit a quick jumper to start the fourth, followed by another three from Trinh. The RedHawks continued their aggressive defensive scheme to make the Mavs fight for every made basket. Medaille battled until the end but fell to La Roche 58-79.

As a team, Medaille went 21-59 (35.6%) from the field, 2-13 (15.4%) beyond the arc, and 14-23 (60.9%) from the free throw line. The Mavs had 49 rebounds and 7 steals.

Game leaders for the Mavericks were Trinh with 15 points going 6-14 from the field with five rebounds, Hardick with ten points going 2-5 from the field and 6-6 from the free-throw line, and Crego with ten points going 4-6 with four rebounds. Kennedy added nine points and eight rebounds while Ariea Garrett put up six points and eight rebounds.

The next game for the women's basketball team will be at home against Pitt-Bradford on Wednesday, January 19. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.