Four Mount Ida College women's basketball players scored in double figures to lead the way capturing a 67-61 non-conference victory over visiting Gordon College Thursday night in Newton, Massachusetts. The Mustangs improve to 4-3 overall while the Fighting Scots fall to 2-4 for the year.
In a very close contest the from end to end, the visitors jumped out to a 12-5 advantage early in the first half (14:04) after a lay-in by Gordon senior Rebecca Carroll (Pleasant Valley, NY) capping a 7-0 run.
The Fighting Scots maintained their lead holding a small margin against the hosts who kept pace down two after Mustang sophomore Jenny Davis (Bristol, England/Filton College) drained the back end of her two free throws (18-16) at the eight minute mark.
Mount Ida eventually took over a five point advantage towards the end of the first stanza following an 8-2 run capped by a senior Nicole Casimiro (Lee, NH/Oyster River) lay-up with 3:46 to go in the half.
The Mustangs built their lead to a game high nine points (31-22) at the minute and a half mark after a lay-in by sophomore Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central). After a quick spurt of offense by the Fighting Scots posting a 6-2 run with under a minute to go, the teams headed into the break with the Mustangs holding a 33-28 lead.
Although the second half was extremely close in its entirety, Mount Ida managed to keep a small advantage for the bulk of the action. The visitors took an early two point lead (37-35) with 15:58 showing on the clock. The score knotted for the seventh time (43-43) of the contest at the 10:29 mark after a jumper by Mustang freshman Missy Collins (East Hartford, CT/East Hartford).
Collins was fouled following the lay-in sinking the free throw giving Mount Ida the one point lead. The Mustangs would not relinquish their advantage for the rest of the contest holding off the Fighting Scots with outstanding defense and well executed offense.
The hosts jumped ahead by seven points with five minutes to go in the contest after a lay-in by Rivera up 56-49. Although the visitors managed to tie the score with 2:25 to go in the game, the Mustangs maintained their composure hitting key shots down the stretch snatching the 67-61 non-conference victory.
Both teams struggled from the charity stripe with Gordon going 14-26 with the Mustangs not far behind at 14-23. There was a combined 61 turnovers with the Fighting Scots edging the hosts 34-27.
Sophomore Katie Morvan (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) and Casimiro chipped in a team high 14 points apiece with Morvan pulling down eight boards. Collins and Rivera were also spectacular scoring in double figures as well with 13 from Collins and 10 from Rivera. They each swiped six steals a piece.
The Fighting Scots got an outstanding individual performance from Carroll who netted a sensational game high 30 points with 15 caroms good for a double-double. Fellow teammate sophomore Heather DeKleine (Wayland, Michigan) notched 17 points with seven rebounds.
The Mustangs are back in action over the weekend against non-conference Wentworth this Saturday starting at 1:00 p.m.