The Hawks cold Western, NY road trip started with a passionate double overtime win against the Purple Eagles of Niagara. An overall team effort boosted the Hawks to a 81-69 victory at the ‘Taps’ Gallagher Center. MU had five players post double figures. Sophomore guard Helena Kurt lead the charge with 21 points, five rebounds, and four assists, while sophomore forward Christina Mitchell posted her team leading fifth double-double of the season by knocking down 13 points, and posting 10 boards. The game’s five players in double figures marked the first time MU has reached that feat all year.
Joining Kurt and Mitchell in double digits was sophomore center Sophie Beaudry who shot 6-7 from the field resulting in 12 points. She also added five rebounds and four blocks. Off the bench, sophomore guard Jamiyah Bethune scored a dozen points, six of them coming off two big threes. Junior guard Jasmine Walker was the last to reach double digits late in the second overtime compiling a total of 10 points.
The Hawks jumped out to an early lead; by the 10:28 mark the Hawks led by one and did not relinquish the lead until the last minute of regulation. The Hawks played great interior defense late in the game as the combination of Beaudry and Mitchell combined for eight blocks and six offensive rebounds to give MU 13 second chance points.
MU loves the three ball, and no Hawk was more effective than Kurt. “All credit goes to my teammates who got me open looks, and I was able to knock them down,” Kurt said.
MU dished out 21 assists, which is a season high for the team. The team chemistry was at an all time high and it showed in the stat sheet as the Hawks shot 40.5 percent as a team and shot an impressive 53.8 percent in two overtimes where MU shined.
Niagara clawed back late in the game behind 19 points from Taylor McKay. Their effort was not enough; during overtime number two, Niagara put up low-percentage shots causing MU to take advantage and convert on back-to-back three balls by Mitchell and Walker. Courtesy of the Purple Eagles, the Hawks picked up their second win in a row.
After Friday night’s emotional double-OT victory, the Hawks tried to make a clean sweep at Canisius College on Sunday afternoon. MU was cold early as their counterparts were on fire.
The Golden Griffins shot an overall 53.8 percent from the field and never looked back, they continued to shoot lights out and caused problems for the Hawks who had a hard time defending. Canisius picked up the win 62-49, moving to 9-18 overall and 7-11 in the MAAC. MU falls to 11-16 and 7-11 in conference play as well.
“I feel that double overtime win the other night took a lot out of us, I felt in the first half we gave it everything we got, we just didn’t have that extra burst”, said Head Coach Jenny Palmateer.
Her Hawks tried to fight back but were shut down, by good defense and even better shooting by Canisius. Crystal Porter who played well against the Hawks last time these two teams played, continued her performance up by leading the Golden Griffins with 13 points, and nine rebounds. Two other Griffins were in double figures as Tiahana Mills scored 12, and senior captain Kayla Hoohuli knocked down 10.
Walker led all Hawks with 10 points and 3 rebounds while junior Sarah Olson had an impressive seven rebounds including six on the offensive glass. The Hawks struggled from three as they went 3-22 from beyond the arc and were not able to catch up to the Golden Griffins, who hit 5-16 from three-point land.
The Hawks remain in eighth in the MAAC and look to move up in the rankings when they return back home for their final two games of the season. They will next face Manhattan on Thursday night.
