Lyons outrebound JWU, but Wildcats pull away to win

Katie Rha hit a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter of Mount Holyoke's loss at Johnson & Wales on Nov. 18, 2023. (RJB Sports file photo)
Katie Rha hit a pair of 3-pointers in the first quarter of Mount Holyoke's loss at Johnson & Wales on Nov. 18, 2023. (RJB Sports file photo)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The Mount Holyoke College basketball team outrebounded its opponent for the third straight game, but Johnson & Wales University outshot the Lyons from the floor and at the free-throw line en route to a 74-36 non-conference win on Saturday.

The host Wildcats (1-2) made 23-of-28 free throws (.821) and 23-of-59 from the floor (.390), while holding the Lyons (0-4) to 12-49 from the floor (.245) and 7-15 at the line (.467).

received double-digit scoring from four starters, with Peyton Oliver submitting 17 points, eight rebounds and four steals, Mikayla Caruso adding 14 points and seven rebounds, Alexa Lora scoring 13 points, and Sarah Wisniewski posting 11 points, four assists and six steals. JWU had a 28-10 advantage in turnovers for the game.

Sophomore Libby Harris (Foxborough, Mass.) scored 11 points to lead Mount Holyoke.

The Lyons trailed by only five points (20-15) after one quarter, as Harris and junior Katie Rha (Douglaston, N.Y.) both made 2-of-3 attempts from three-point territory in the period.

The Lyons scored 10 points in the second quarter, but JWU added 12 points to its lead. JWU put the game out of reach with a 20-4 third quarter outburst.

Sophomore Taryn White (Alexandria, Va.) had a game-high 11 rebounds for the Lyons, who outrebounded the Wildcats 41-39. Sophomore Kendall Maurer (Orinda, Calif.) added seven rebounds to go with five points and two assists.

Mount Holyoke (0-4) will play at Westfield State on Tuesday.