RSM drops league battle at MMC

(Sentinel photo by Bethany Kroeze) RSM's Brielle Biezuns fires up a shot late in Tuesday's game at MMC. The Hawks dropped the WEC contest 54-40. [Click to enlarge]

An eight-point lead at the half dwindled in the third quarter as Remsen St. Mary's fell to Marcus-Meriden-Cleghorn 54-40 on Tuesday.

"It's tough," St. Mary's coach Brad Gralheer said of the loss.

Things were close early but under the shooting power of Emma Krier and Mercedees Ricke the Hawks were able to pull ahead 18-11 by the end of the first quarter.

The host Eagles fought back in the second quarter, grabbing their first lead of the game - 21-20 - with 3:28 until halftime.

But from there it was all RSM as Ricke, Krier and Emily Klein led the Hawks on a 9-0 run, which was culminated by a half-court 3-pointer by Ricke at the buzzer.

Heading into the locker room, RSM held a 29-21 lead.

But the Hawks came out flat in the second half, netting only 11 total points in the final two quarters.

The third quarter was another tight matchup with the Eagles taking a 36-35 lead by the start of the final eight minutes.

From there, it was all MMC as the Hawks went on a four minute dry spell, broken by Krier with one of her two 3-point baskets with 4:05 to play. But by then, RSM trailed 48-38.

The Hawks fought until the final seconds, forcing fouls to stop the clock, but the Eagles sunk their free throws down the stretch en route to a 54-40 victory.

Krier netted 21 points to lead RSM. The sophomore added seven rebounds as well.

Ricke sunk 13 points and pulled down six rebounds.

The Hawks are back in action Thursday at Spalding Catholic in Granville.