Mercy suffers two tough league losses

The Mercy varsity girls basketball team dropped to 0-2 in Tri-Cities League play, losing to University Prep, 56-34, on Tuesday one night after a 59-22 defeat against Westwood.

The Lady Warriors played both games at home but couldn't find a consistent groove.

Westwood took control of the game in the second quarter and polished the Lady Warriors with a 20-3 fourth-quarter run.

Diana Van Ert led Mercy with 11 points and Natasha Czajka picked up five steals.

Against U-Prep, Van Ert piled up 16 points with seven rebounds and Czajka earned a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.

Camille Crowley came down with seven rebounds and Benicia Grace picked off two passes for steals, but offensively the Lady Warriors were held to 10 points in the first half, and they couldn't rally after the break.

Mercy (0-2 TCL, 4-14) played at Liberty Christian on Friday night and will host Redding Christian on Tuesday.