Why would 2,000 people attend a game between the third- and fourth-place teams in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland's B conference's "Y" division on a cold night in Towson?
For one, because it's not a game. It's "The Game."
The annual tilt between the Mercy Magic and the Institute of Notre Dame Penguins celebrated its 49th year Friday night, and even though IND pulled out a 41-34 victory at SECU Arena, the outcome was not as important as the tradition. Like any good rivalry, it's the spirit and the fellowship that ruled.
To add even a little more drama to the equation, the Penguins (9-12, 7-6) were led by new head coach Rob DuBose. DuBose was the assistant coach last weekend, but was promoted when head coach Douglas Able was let go.
"I think I'm more relieved than anything," DuBose said. "This was my first game at IND as the head coach, and we were victorious. I just told them that we had to simplify the game and make it like an average game. We played mostly man-to-man defense, and we played very energetic. It was a great win for the school."
"It was an amazing win," said Amber Kapner-Jones, the leading scorer for the Penguins with 11 points. "We finally came together as a team, and we dug down deep for this win. Even when it got tight towards the end, we hung together as a team. I played in this game last year, but the crowd this year was much better. We left it all on the floor tonight."
As for the game, Mercy used a 3-pointer by Morgan Cobb to take a 4-1 lead midway through the first quarter, but the IND defense tightened afterward. The Penguins outscored Mercy 11-5 to hold a narrow 12-9 lead midway through the second quarter. IND took advantage of some sloppy possessions to outscore the Magic 5-2 the rest of the way, and take a 17-11 lead at the half.
After falling behind, 22-11, in the third quarter, the Magic (6-12, 2-10) got another 3-pointer from Cobb, a layup by Katelin Hilt, and two free throws each by Kameel Smith and Kristin Curry to cut the lead to 25-20 with 1:17 left in the third quarter.
After the Penguins increased their lead to 30-22 with 6:41 left, Mercy made their best run of the night. The Magic went on a 9-2 run, and cut the lead to 32-31 when a long three by Cobb rattled in with 4:03 left.
The Penguins didn't get rattled though. A'Janay Nicholson made a jumper and IND made 7 of 10 free throws down the stretch.
Mercy leads the all-time series 30-19.
Mercy graduate Jamie Vogtman Mooney said the result isn't the important part about this game.
"It's a rivalry, and it means so much to both schools," said Vogtman Mooney, who attended the game with her seven year-old daughter Grace. "I played in this game in 1999, and I know how much it means. I'm excited, and my daughter is, too. We respect IND, and we respect this game. I hope that in 2022, I will be cheering Grace on as she plays. It's a great tradition.