ST. MARY'S CITY, Md. – The Marymount (Va.) University women's basketball team closed out 2015 in impression fashion on Wednesday evening, cruising to its fifth-straight victory with a 52-35 road win at St. Mary's College of Maryland in Capital Athletic Conference play. The Saints improve to 8-2 for the season and remain untouched in league play with a 3-0 tally.
Sophomore Nicole Viscuso came out strong from start to finish, marking a career day in points with a game-high 21 points to go along with a game-high 10 rebounds to notch her fifth double-double of the season. Her 21 points for the day moves her into second place in the conference in scoring for the year with 141, just 10 points behind her teammate, senior Kievanna Lacey. Both Saints are shooting over 50 percent from the field, as Viscuso went 8-for-13 on Wednesday to go along with her perfect 5-for-5 from the free-throw line.
The game opened up close through the first 10 minutes, not seeing Marymount grab its first lead until three minutes left in the quarter off a finish inside by freshman Abby Fisher to take a 10-9 lead. St. Mary's stayed consistent on the offensive end though, hitting a jumper and ending the opening 10 minutes with a three pointer to take a 15-12 advantage into the break.
In the second quarter, the Saints found their rhythm. Through 10 minutes, MU erased the three-point deficit and took a seven-point advantage into the half with an 18-8 quarter behind 10 points from Viscuso. Lacey dropped in four points in the period, while sophomore Leah Hurst and seniorMiranda Krott knocked in two apiece.
Through the first half, the blue and white pushed the tempo on defense as well, forcing 13 Seahawk turnovers including seven turnovers. Krott and freshman Tyffani McQueen registered three steals each in the first half. Off the 13 turnovers, the Saints pushed the court for 14 transition points.
The second half saw no change, as MU continued to push the pace through the closing 20 minutes, outscoring St. Mary's, 22-12. On the defensive end, the Saints held the Seahawks to just 12.9-percent shooting in the second half, only allowing three points by St Mary's in the third quarter.
Viscuso led the way in points and rebounds with 21 and 10, respectively, while Lacey notched seven for the day. Hurst marked a new career high in rebounds with eight to go along with three steals, two assists and four points. Krott had a strong defensive game with a game-high four steals and two blocks to go with her six points and two rebounds.
Marymount will now bring in the New Year with a league game at home on January 2 against Wesley College. Tipoff is set for 2 p.m., in the Verizon Sports Arena.