Thursday, February 2, 2012 (Newton, Massachusetts) - Behind a 24 point performance from senior Isiah Benjamin (Windsor, CT/The Masters School), the Mount Ida College men's basketball team captured a 76-64 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory over visiting Norwich University Thursday evening in Newton, Massachusetts.  Benjamin is 19 points shy of eclipsing the 1,000 point threshold and would become the ninth player in the history of the program to conquer the feat.  

The Mustangs snap a three game slide in league play improving to an overall record of 7-12 with a GNAC slate of 4-8 still in the hunt for a playoff bid.  The visitors fall to 5-14 for the season slumping to 4-9 in conference competition.

Along with an impressive performance from Benjamin, Mount Ida senior captain Travis Hillery (Tyngsboro, MA/Central Catholic) dominated on the boards with 17 total rebounds, 12 of which came on the offensive side, along with adding 20 points for a double-double on 9-18 shooting.  Junior center Jeffrey McNair (Brockton, MA/Brockton) tallied 12 points and eight caroms also adding five blocks for the night.  Senior Keith Jones (Boston, MA/Lake Brantley (FL)/Mass. Bay C.C.) and Joe Cabral (Walpole, MA/Walpole) combined for 18 points and 11 boards respectively.

The visitors saw two starters in double digits led by senior forward Antonio Davis (Albany, NY/Bishop Maginn) with 13 points and six rebounds on 6-11 shooting from the floor.  Freshman Even Tullar (Chelsea, VT/Spaulding) added 11 points and three assists.  Sophomore guard's Nikolai Havoutis (Coral Springs, FL/Coral Springs) and Tom McDonald (Groton, MA/Cushing Academy) recorded nine points each. 

Mount Ida led from wire-to-wire opening the game with a 10-0 run through the first four minutes of the half capped on a Hillery bucket. 

Although the visitors cut the lead down to three (16-13) with 11:07 to go in the half, Mount Ida re-inflated the advantage to 11 points with less than eight minutes to go in the stanza following three successful free throws by Benjamin. 

The Mustangs headed into the locker room with a half-high 14 point advantage finishing the half with a trifecta from Cabral up 38-24. 

The hosts went ahead by 16 points (44-28) through the first three minutes of the second frame after another successful Hillery lay-in.

The visitors cut the Mustang lead to eight (46-38) with 14:42 remaining in the contest after a good lay-up by freshman Brendan Frye (Warrensburg, NY/Warrensburg).

Mount Ida jumped ahead by a game high 17 points finishing off an 8-0 run capped on a Benjamin jumper with 11 minutes showing on the clock.

The Mustangs commanded their double digit advantage for the rest of the game looking very strong offensively capping their 76-64 GNAC victory. 

Mount Ida will visit neighboring rival and GNAC foe Lasell College Saturday afternoon with game time slated for 3:00 p.m.