Junior forward Cherie Parisi (South Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) netted her first double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 boards to lead the Mount Ida College women's basketball team their first victory of the season over M.I.T., 59-45. The Mustangs improve their record to 1-2 and have yet to play a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) game. The Engineers drop to 1-2 on the year. Mount Ida first year head Coach Jack Casey also gained his first victory not only as a Mustang, but at the college level as well.
In a very low scoring first half, Mount Ida led by as many as four points up 14-10 with 5:26 before the horn. Immediately following the Mustangs gave up the small advantage on two consecutive three pointers by the visitors with 3:44 left ahead 14-18. Freshman center Katie Morvan (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) knocked down a jumper in the lane with four seconds remaining in the half to pull within two of the Engineers trailing 16-18.
A few minor adjustments for the Mustangs in the locker room at the break were exactly the dose they need to turn up the heat on their opponents. Junior Nicole Casimiro (Lee, NH/Oyster River) knocked down a free throw followed by another from downtown to pull ahead. Freshman Hannah Blum (Raleigh, NC/Broughton) caromed in a lay-up to give the hosts a commanding four point lead up 22-18.
The action would be awfully close for the remainder of the season half with the Engineers taking a one point advantage at the 7:15 mark in the second half capped off on a jumper by Sophomore Kristen Whaley (Westborough, MA/St. Mark's) making it 37-36.
After two drained jumpers by the Mustangs, they would pull ahead on four consecutive free throws combined by Parisi and junior Ashley Boyd (Hanson, MA/Whitman-Hanson) regaining the lead for Mount Ida ahead 44-37. The hosts took over at this point up by as many as 11 off key free throw shooting by the team as a whole. Tenacious defense and rebounding sealed the deal for the hosts. The Mustangs cruised to the 59-45 victory, their first of the 2008-09 year.
Along with Parisi, Casimiro dropped in 11 points with five rebounds as well as Boyd dropping it eight points and 10 caroms. The key to the win tonight was the Mustangs free throw shooting going 18-21 from the line. Senior Elise McLear (Swansea, MA/Case) added seven points while freshman Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) chipped in nine.
The Engineers were led by senior Clara Yuan (San Jose, CA/Archbishop Mitty) who netted a game high 14 with two three pointers and three steals. Whatley followed with 11 and nine boards.
The Mustangs will head to the Eastern Connecticut State University tournament this coming weekend. Their first match-up is against Tufts University starting at 7:30 on Saturday.