Milwaukee, WI- The Mount Mary basketball team treated an enthusiastic Bloechl Center crowd to an exciting night on Thursday. The Blue Angels hosted the Scarlet Hawks of Illinois Tech and MMU was looking for a third straight victory. Illinois Tech made that prospect seem unlikely with red hot three point shooting and crisp ball movement through most of the first half.
Mount Mary trailed 44-25, the largest margin they would face on the evening, MMU in a key stretch scored the last 10 points of the half, including a Vanessa Diaz three point make from around 35 feet at the horn. The comeback by MMU bringing the score to 44-35 at half would loom large later in the evening.
Illinois Tech stretched the lead back to as much as 14 in the third quarter, but Mount Mary would find inspiration and an extra level of toughness for the home crowd. An even third quarter meant MMU still trailed by nine at the end of the third.
Mount Mary continued to chip away until a Diaz three finally tied the score at 63-63. The Blue Angels would then execute down the stretch, Deja Rivers with a huge basket to put MMU up 65-64. Mount Mary would get two stops, another Rivers basket, and clutch free throws from Diaz and Sanai Ballard to complete the impressive comeback and win by a 70-67 final score.
There were a number of stars on the night for the Blue Angels. Diaz scored 20 points to lead Mount Mary, her third twenty point effort in four collegiate games. She also added six assists and committed just two turnovers. The Blue Angel front court had their best combined effort of the season, Joselyn Gonzales and Deja Rivers each put up nights of 13 points and 6 rebounds. Gonzales had four blocked shots as well. India Lucas played her best all-around game, with an impressive 10 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists and 4 steals.
Na'Zyia Bobo came off the bench and gave the Blue Angels a huge lift, in 12 minutes of action she scored seven points including a clutch fourth quarter three during the MMU comeback.
The Blue Angels (3-1) have now matched the 18-19 team for the best start to a season in program history. The next contest for the Blue Angels will be Saturday, November 18th at 1 pm. MMU will head to Carlinville, Illinois to take on the Beavers of Blackburn College.
A win Saturday at Blackburn would give the MMU team a fourth straight win and the overall best start in the history of MMU basketball. Stay tuned to www.mtmaryathletics.com for all coverage of Mount Mary Basketball.
