Box Score

NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. – The Slippery Rock University women's basketball team outscored Merrimack in the second half but could not overcome a 20-point halftime deficit en route to falling 87-69 to the hosts Friday night in the second game of the Courtyard by Marriott Classic.

The Rock (0-2) will now face Shepherd in the consolation game of the tournament Saturday at 1 p.m. after Shepherd dropped an 82-71 decision to No. 10 Indianapolis Friday afternoon.

Merrimack (1-1) scored the first 13 points of the game and opened up a 20-point halftime lead at 45-25.

The cold start for SRU proved to be the difference, as The Rock edged Merrimack 44-42 in the second half.

Danielle Smith led Slippery Rock with 21 points and eight rebounds. Alex Beatty added 20 points and three rebounds, including four 3-pointers. Sherita Stanley added 10 points on a perfect 3-of-3 from behind the 3-point arc and Bethany Caudill added five points and four assists.

The Rock finished the game shooting 47.1 percent from the floor, converting on 24-of-51 field goals, including 10-of-19 (52.6 percent) from behind the 3-point line.

Merrimack was paced by five players in double figures, led by Sarah Benischek with 21 points. Kelly Schatzlein added 16 points and nine rebounds, while Gennifer Roy added 16 points. Tiffany Colon scored 15 points to go along with six rebounds and five assists and Katie Ganser added 11 points off the bench.

Merrimack shot 48.5 percent for the game, hitting 33-of-68 attempts, including 8-of-20 from behind the 3-point arc.

Neither team was particularly strong at the free throw line, with Merrimack hitting 13-of-19 and SRU converting 11-of-17 attempts.

Merrimack will host No. 10 Indianapolis in the tournament's title game Saturday at 3 p.m.