The Dartmouth women’s basketball team faced a heart-wrenching defeat to Merrimack, losing 59-57 in a nail-biting finish at Leede Arena. In a dramatic conclusion, Molly Manion of Merrimack sank a game-winning 3-pointer with just over a second on the clock, capping off a thrilling exchange of scores in a closely contested match. Nina Minicozzi was a standout for Dartmouth, contributing 13 points, while Olivia Austin delivered a double-double performance with 12 points and 10 rebounds. This game, marking Dartmouth’s first outing in over two weeks, dropped their season record to 3-2.
Despite the loss, Dartmouth showcased solid rebounding ability, dominating the boards with a 48-38 advantage, including a remarkable 16 offensive rebounds. The team’s shooting, however, left room for improvement, with a field goal percentage of 34.4% (21-of-61) and 21.7% from beyond the arc (5-of-23). In comparison, Merrimack posted a shooting percentage of 39.4% (26-of-66) and made 30% of their three-point attempts (6-of-20).
Dartmouth maintained a lead for most of the game, only trailing for a mere 23 seconds. However, the fourth quarter proved challenging, as both teams battled fiercely, ultimately culminating in a dramatic final play.
Looking ahead, Dartmouth will return to their home court on Friday to take on Central Connecticut State, eager to rebound from this narrow loss. The team is motivated to improve their record and regain momentum in their upcoming games. While the defeat highlights the need for Dartmouth to seal victories more decisively, the promising performances from players like Austin and Minicozzi offer a hopeful outlook as they seek to refine their execution in critical moments.