In the opening round of the 2009 Hampton Inn Classic hosted by UMASS-Dartmouth, the Mount Ida College women's basketball team dropped a 74-54 loss to Connecticut College Saturday night at the Tripp Athletic Center. The Mustangs improve to 1-2 overall.
After trailing in the opening minutes, senior guard Emily Cummings (Yorktown Heights, N.Y./Lakeland) scored on a layup with 14:50 to go in the first half to put the Camels on top 12-10. Although the game would see brief ties at 12-12 and 22-22, the Camels controlled the game the rest of the way. Connecticut separated themselves for good when Cummings drilled a three pointer to cap off a 10-0 second half run which gave the Camels a commanding 50-31 advantage with 14:38 left in the game.
Senior forward Cherie Parisi (South Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) was the top scorer with 21 points and six rebounds in 28 minutes. Senior forward Ashley Boyd (Hanson, MA/Whitman-Hanson) put in ten points, and senior guard Nicole Casmiro (Lee, NH/Oyster River) had eight.
Camel sophomore guard Jenn Shinall (Redding Ridge, CT/Joel Barlow) led all scorers with 22 points on 8 of 18 shooting, including four three pointers. Cummings scored 16 points on 6 of 11 shooting. Senior forward Laura Coderre (Monson, MA/Wilbraham Monson Academy) tallied eight points and nine rebounds, while senior forward Rita Holak (Windham, CT/Central Catholic) also had eight points off the bench.
The Camels forced a whopping 34 turnovers, resulting in 36 points off turnovers, compared with 15 points off turnovers for the Mustangs. Overall, Mount Ida out-rebounded the Camels 38-37.
In the consolation game, Mount Ida took on visiting Green Mountain College for Vermont with the Mustangs capturing a 60-56 victory for the third place trophy. Mount Ida improves to 2-2 overall.
Mount Ida's Casimiro put the Mustangs ahead for good with 3:49 to play with a three pointer from the corner and scored nine of her team's final 13 points as the Mustangs held on to victory in a nip and tuck consolation game against the Eagles, securing third place in the tournament.
Green Mountain shot 42% compared to 34% for Mount Ida but the Eagles committed ten more turnovers (32-22) that led to second-chance scoring opportunities for the Mustangs.
The game was at 20 late in the first half but back to back baskets by Mount Ida's Parisi and a lay-up by sophomore guard Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) sent the Mustangs into the break with a 26-20 advantage.
Green Mountain battled back in the second half, that saw five ties and five lead changes, taking their first lead since 15-14 with 9:07 in the first half, when senior guard Christin Louras (Rutland, VT/Mt Saint Joseph's Academy) buried a trey from the corner to put the Eagles in front 35-32 with 12:35 left in the game. Mustang sophomore forward Jenny Davis (Bristol, England/Filton College) answered with her own three from the wing knotting the game at 35. Green Mountain would take their final lead at 4:07 in the second half when freshman guard Lindsay Tassie connected for three points the hard way on a lay-up and a free throw to give the Eagles a 49-47 advantage, unfortunately not for long as the Mustangs Casmiro took over from their and led her team to the win.
The Mustangs were led by Casimiro who has 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks. Joining her in double-figures was Parisi who had 14 points to go with 6 rebounds. Green Mountain was lead by senior forward Emma Brinley Buckley (Lakeville, CT/ Housatonic Valley), who was dominant in the paint, and finished with a game-high 18 points and 18 rebounds. She was joined in double figures by freshman guard Chelsea Paul (Northville, NY/Northville) with 15 points and Louras chipped in with 9 points on 3 of 4 shooting from beyond the arc.
Mount Ida senior forward Cherie Parisi was the only Mount Ida player named to the All-Tournament team.
Mount Ida will host Westfield State College this coming Tuesday for more non-conference action starting at 6:00 p.m.