ORANGEBURG, N.Y. – Felician University cut a 14-point second-half deficit to one before succumbing to Mercy College, 59-51, in non-conference women's basketball action on Sunday afternoon on Coach Baxter Court at the Hennessy Center. The game concluded play in the two-day, four-team Regina Rivera Memorial Tournament, hosted by Dominican (N.Y.) College.

Despite the loss, Felician senior guard Eliana Scanlon (New York, N.Y.) produced game highs of 15 points and five steals. Sophomore Moneta Keane-Dawes (Brooklyn, N.Y.) came off the bench to lead Mercy (1-3) with 12 points.

The Golden Falcons (0-4) put in a solid defensive effort, holding the Mavericks to 28-percent shooting from the floor and forcing 21 Mercy turnovers. However, Felician committed 27 personal fouls and was outscored, 23-10, at the free-throw line. The Golden Falcons were also limited to 26-percent shooting of their own.

Felician shot 15 percent from the field in the first half, making just four field goals, in falling behind, 25-13, at halftime. The Mavericks, who never trailed, took their largest lead of the game, 29-15, on a Chi-la Bady (Valley Stream, N.Y.) jumper with eight minutes, nine seconds, left to play in the third quarter. Felician received consecutive lay-ups by Shyla Osmond (New Haven, Conn.) to pull to within a five-point deficit, before settling for a 42-34 gap after three quarters.

The Mavericks were still on top by 10 points, 48-38, with 5:07 remaining in regulation time. However, Felician embarked on an 11-2 run over the next three-plus minutes, capped by a steal and lay-up from Danelle Gibson (Bronx, N.Y.), to make the score 50-49 in favor of Mercy. Maverick sophomore Casey Sullivan (East Lyme, Conn.) canned two free throws, but the Golden Falcons responded on a putback by Treanda Foster (Bronx, N.Y.).

However, Felician did not score again, going 0 for 5 from the field in the final 2:08. After splitting pair of free throws on consecutive possessions, Mercy did not completely put the game away until Keane-Dawes nailed a three-point field goal at the 0:29 mark.

Mercy sophomore Latisha Clark (Peekskill, N.Y.) amassed 10 points, 11 rebounds and three assists and junior Paxton Reddington (Holmdel, N.J.) also tallied 10 points for the winners. Osmond totaled 11 points and six rebounds and Foster came up with seven points and nine boards for Felician.

The Golden Falcons play their third game in four days on Tuesday, when they entertain Dominican (N.Y.) College at 5:30 p.m. The contest will mark Felician's home and Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference opener.