Junior Cherie Parisi (South Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) led the charge for the Mount Ida College women's basketball team with 13 points and 19 rebounds over visiting non-conference Becker College in a 79-52 romping this Tuesday night in Newton, Massachusetts. Along with Parisi, three other Mustangs notched double figures good for the Mustangs seventh victory of the season surpassing last year's win total of six overall. The Mustangs improve to 7-13 and stay at 1-6 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play while the Hawks drop to 9-9 on the season.
The Mustangs led the entire way building an immediate 11 point advantage up 14-3 with 14:16 to go in the half. Mount Ida only gave up one basket, a three point play by Hawks senior Beth Pion (Enfield, CT/Enfield), in the first two ticks and wouldn't give up another for the next six and a half minutes.
The lead would continue to grow pouring on the offense and holding the visitors to single digits until the eight minute mark up 27-9 on a lay-in by Mustang freshman Katie Morvan (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge). Two quick three pointers by the Hawks cut the lead to 12 with seven minutes to go in the half (27-15).
Mount Ida did not waste much time charging up the offense blowing open the game again up 19 (35-16) with 3:21 before the break. The teams would head into the locker room with the Mustangs commanding a 37-19 lead.
It only got worse for visiting Becker while Mount Ida pulled away after a 7-0 run to begin the second half up 25 (44-19) with 16:52 showing on the clock. The lead would not get below double digits for the remainder of the contest and it was all but over at this point.
The hosts led by a game high 27 points towards the final ticks of regulation with 2:02 to go on a trifecta by freshman Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) up 75-48. Mount Ida eventually captured the 79-52 victory, good for the seventh win of the season.
The Mustang rebounding was unmatched grabbing a total of 70 boards, 34 offensive caroms, to the Hawks 33 and a measly 10 offensive. Turnovers were also a problem for the visitors with a whopping 25.
Along with Parisi who notched her seventh double-double of the year, Mount Ida saw numerous outstanding performances this evening. Rivera was again solid with her first double-double of the season netting 11 points, 10 boards, and three steals. Junior Ashley Boyd (Hanson, MA/Hanson-Whitman) has continued to contribute with nine points, 14 rebounds, and five blocks. Junior Nicole Casimiro (Lee, NH/Oyster River) netted a game high 17 points with seven caroms.
The Hawks were led by Pion scoring 11 with five boards and three blocks. Senior Rachel Pinak (Cheektowaga, NY/Maryvale) matched a team high 12 points and five caroms while junior Courtney Fiske (Westfield, MA/Westfield) netted 10 points with seven rebounds.
The Mustangs will host GNAC foe Pine Manor College this coming Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m. and try for their second conference victory of the season.