POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. – The Marist women’s basketball team pulled off a tough 55-51 victory against Stony Brook at McCann Arena on Wednesday night.
Sophomore guard Danielle Williamsen shined with a season-high 16 points, shooting 7-for-14. She also grabbed four rebounds and had two steals. Freshman forward Justine Henry added 10 points and contributed with seven rebounds, two steals, and a block. With this win, Marist moves to 2-3 for the season, while Stony Brook also falls to 2-3.
In the first quarter, Williamsen hit a three-pointer, helping Marist establish an early lead at 13-6. The team finished the quarter strong, leading 15-8 with contributions from five different players.
However, Stony Brook responded with an 8-0 run in the second quarter, taking a brief lead at 16-15. Marist regained momentum thanks to a three-pointer from senior captain Lexie Tarul, pushing them back to 24-23. The teams headed into halftime with Marist leading narrowly at 26-25.
The third quarter saw Stony Brook take charge, eventually leading 36-34. A scoring drought for Marist lasted over three minutes, allowing Stony Brook to pull ahead to 39-34. Henry broke the drought with two free throws, but Marist still trailed 39-36 entering the final quarter.
In the fourth, Williamsen hit another three-pointer to tie the game. Tarul followed up with her third three, giving Marist a 44-41 edge. Even when Stony Brook closed the gap to 44-44, Marist rallied with an 8-0 run, pushing their lead to 52-44 with just over two minutes left.
Despite Stony Brook hitting back-to-back threes to close the gap, Marist held strong. Senior captain Jackie Piddock made crucial free throws to secure the win.
Piddock not only scored nine points but also recorded a season-high six assists. Karly Fischer added nine points, four rebounds, and contributed defensively with two blocks. Tarul had a solid game, finishing with nine points and a season-high seven rebounds.
Marist shot 38.9% from the field and 31.6% from three, while holding Stony Brook to 35.1% overall and 31.8% from beyond the arc.
As they wrap up a five-game homestand, Marist will face Monmouth next. The game is scheduled for Monday, Nov. 24, at 7 p.m. inside McCann Arena, and will be available on ESPN+.
Insight: As women’s sports continue to gain visibility, programs like Marist’s are vital for developing talent. A recent survey by the Women’s Sports Foundation shows female participation in sports is at an all-time high, positively impacting physical and mental health. Having teams like Marist not only fosters talent but also builds community support.
For more in-depth data on women’s sports participation, you can check the Women’s Sports Foundation report here.
