Basketball Recap: Mercy Falls Despite Big Games from Amira Festejo-Rivera and Clare O'brien

Mercy was not able to break out of their rough patch on Tuesday as the team picked up their fifth straight defeat. They were three points away from ending the streak, but they lost a 31-28 heartbreaker at the hands of the Crystal Springs Uplands Gryphons. Unfortunately, that's the second time they've come up short against the Gryphons this season, as they also lost their prior matchup 34-31 two weeks ago.

Clare O'Brien

Rebounds

02/11/25 @ Crystal Springs Uplands	10
01/28/25 vs Crystal Springs Uplands	5
01/14/25 vs Eastside College Prep	6
01/11/25 vs San Francisco Christian	7
12/10/24 @ Pescadero	3
+ 5 more games

Clare O'Brien and Amira Festejo-Rivera certainly did their best on Tuesday to avoid the loss. O'Brien posted seven points in addition to ten boards and seven steals, while Festejo-Rivera put up ten points and three steals. That's the most rebounds O'Brien has posted since back in February of 2024.

Crystal Springs Uplands' win was the result of several impressive offensive performances. One of the most notable came from Sophia Cervantes, who almost dropped a double-double with nine points and nine boards. Cervantes has become a key player for Crystal Springs Uplands: the team is 2-1 when she posts at least eight rebounds, but 6-7 otherwise. The team also got some help courtesy of Aanya Rangachary, who had eight points and nine boards.

Mercy's loss dropped their record down to 7-9. As for Crystal Springs Uplands, the win got them back to even at 8-8.

Mercy wasted no time getting back out on the court and has already played their next matchup, a 61-15 defeat against Castilleja on the 14th. As for Crystal Springs Uplands, they also didn't take long to hit the court again: they've already played their next game, a 32-20 loss against Eastside College Prep on the 13th.