ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. — Penn State Berks fell to conference leader St. Mary's (MD), 93-46, with St. Mary's capitalizing on 31 steals and a 44-11 advantage in points off turnovers.
Berks began the first quarter with a pair of free throws from
Hailey Miller to take an early 2–0 lead. However, St. Mary's quickly responded and controlled the momentum with a strong offensive display. Despite efforts from the Blue & White, including a layup by
Jalyn Hann and a 3-pointer from
Gabrielle Merritt, the team faced challenges with turnovers, committing 14 in the quarter. St. Mary's capitalized on these opportunities, scoring frequently from turnovers and fast breaks. They closed the quarter with a dominant lead, thanks to their efficient shooting and 11 steals. At the end of the first quarter, Berks trailed 37–9.
St. Mary's began the second quarter with strong momentum, capitalizing on turnovers to score 12 points off them. Berks struggled with turnovers, committing 14 in the quarter, which limited their offensive opportunities. Despite a 3-pointer by Merritt at 6:46, the Blue & White were unable to keep pace with the Seahawks' fast breaks and points in the paint. Defensively, Berks managed to secure 11 rebounds, with Miller contributing a block and a steal. However, the Seahawks maintained their control, closing the quarter by extending their lead. The score at the end of the second quarter was 51-15 in favor of St. Mary's.
St. Mary's capitalized early in the third quarter with a strong offensive burst, including a series of fast breaks and three-point plays that widened the gap. The Nittany Lions struggled to maintain possession, committing multiple turnovers that the Seahawks converted into points, leading to a significant momentum shift against them. Despite the challenges, Berks saw contributions from the free-throw line, with
Reagan Thorp and Merritt adding points to the board. Miller connected from beyond the arc to cut into the lead momentarily, but St. Mary's continued their efficient scoring, including a late three-pointer that cemented their advantage. The quarter concluded with St. Mary's holding a substantial lead, 81-28, as they outscored Berks 30-13 in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Berks generated a significant momentum shift with a strong opening, producing a series of quick plays that included Miller's layup and multiple steals. Despite turnovers, they capitalized on opportunities inside the paint, scoring 12 points in that area. The defensive efforts were highlighted by four steals, aiding the team in outscoring St. Mary's 18–12 in the quarter. Berks closed the quarter with a final layup by Miller, narrowing the margin slightly, but the final score stood at 93–46 in favor of St. Mary's.
Merritt scored 12 points, converting three of her four attempts from beyond the arc. Hann posted a double-double with 11 points and collected 10 rebounds. Miller led the team with 16 points, adding five steals and recording 10 rebounds. Thorp contributed six points, making all four of her free throw attempts.
WHO'S NEXT
Berks will travel to face Cairn University on Saturday, Feb. 14. The game will tip off at 3:30 p.m. in Langhorne, Pennsylvania.
FOLLOW US
Fans can keep up with the Blue & White Athletics all season long on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube using the handle @BerksAthletics.
