Big game from DeCandido lifts Gwynedd Mercy Academy past Merion Mercy

Gwynedd Valley >> When you play Gwynedd Mercy Academy you know you’re going to have to deal with full-court pressure for four straight quarters.
Saturday afternoon Merion Mercy did an outstanding job of limiting their turnovers and controlling the pace of the game, but it was a three-minute stretch in the third quarter, where it succumbed to the pressure of the Monarchs, that did them in a 51-46 defeat.
“We played pretty well today except for that three-minute stretch in the third where we kind of fell apart,” said Merion Mercy head coach Rob Baxter. “We just had a little bit of a mental lapse for that little bit of time and that’s all it really took.”
With the Monarchs holding a 29-28 advantage in the third, Merion Mercy looked to come down and recapture the lead but three straight turnovers turned into seven points for Gwynedd and transformed the game completely.
“Our pressure wasn’t quite there for the majority of the game but it was there just enough right around the third quarter,” said GMA head coach Thomas Lonergan. “I think it was a tie game and then it opened up to an eight-point game so it came through just enough for us there.”
While they may not have forced the turnovers they’re usually accustomed to, GMA’s defense was still solid all afternoon as they held the Golden Bears to 32 percent shooting from the floor.
Early on Merion was able to break the press fairly easy, which led to a lot of easy buckets for them on the offensive end but as the game went on they controlled the pace of the game much better.
It was a back and forth action all afternoon in what was Gwynedd’s senior night and the Monarchs were led by none other than senior captain Erica DeCandido, as she racked up a game-high 21 points.
“It felt good,” said DeCandido about scoring 21 on a day when the senior class was being honored. “It’s sad too though, I’ve gone through all four years with these amazing three other girls and I think that’s what keeps me going.”
The length of the bigger Merion Mercy team was giving GMA some issues, but DeCandido was able to use her quickness to beat the bigger defenders to the hoop and either get the bucket or draw a foul.
Fourteen of her 21 came in the first half, but after she got into some foul trouble she was only able to play sparingly in the third and fourth quarters.
Maybe most encouraging for the Monarchs was that when DeCandido came out, the team didn’t give up their lead as they kept applying pressure.
“We got some good positive minutes from everybody,” said Lonergan. “The whole bench was able to get out there and play and I’m very happy and proud of my seniors too they all contributed tonight and did well.”
Sophomore Carly Heineman really impressed with DeCandido missing minutes as she finished with 12 points of her own on 5-of-8 shooting.
Merion Mercy’s Gabby Heinsinger did her best to keep up with DeCandido, pouring in 18 points of her own for a team high, but with no other players for the Golden Bears managing to reach double digits it proved to be not enough in the end.