The Mount Ida College women's basketball team dropped their second consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) loss to visiting Norwich University 80-69 on Wednesday evening in Newton, Massachusetts. The Mustangs fall to an overall record of 5-10 dropping to an even .500 (2-2) in conference play while the visitors improve to a league best 11-4 overall and top the standings for the GNAC at 4-0.
The Cadets started the game with a 6-0 run capped off by two good free throws by senior Laurel McWilliams (Swanton, CT/Missisquoi Valley Union) at the 18 minute mark.
Mount Ida grabbed their first lead of the game (10-8) with 16:12 to go in the first half after a good jumper by junior center Katie Morvan (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge).
The action went back and forth for the next couple of minutes until the visitors took a half high 10 point advantage with 8:57 to go before the break capped off on a lay-in by Cadet senior Megan Gingras (Williamstown, VT/Williamstown) up 30-20.
The Mustangs chipped away cutting the lead to one point with 2:27 remaining in the half following a 7-0 run finished off by another Morvan jumper down 34-35.
The visitors cranked the offense back up heading into the locker room with a seven point advantage up 42-35 following the final basket by senior Karissa Doyon (Beecher Falls, VT/Caanan Memorial).
The Cadet lead grew to nine to start the second stanza on two good free throws by senior Christine Daniels (Concord, NH/Concord) leading 44-35. Dainels dominated under the basket throughout the entire game.
The Mustangs cut the lead to three points after a 5-0 run finished off by a Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) jumper trailing 47-44 at the 15 minute mark.
Mount Ida struggled to get over the hump and eventually fell behind by 11 points down 64-53 after another Daniels lay-in with 8:49 remaining in the contest.
The hosts couldn't get any closer than six points down the stretch and eventually went behind by a game high 15 points after two successful free throws by Doyon. The Cadets would cruise to an 80-69 GNAC victory, good for their fourth of the season.
The Mustangs were led by Morvan with a game high 27 points with eight rebounds and four steals. Freshman Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, CT/New Farifield) and junior transfer Shannon Wood (Gorham, ME/Bryant University) added 15 points a piece.
The Cadets saw another outstanding performance from Daniels with and an amazing 23 rebounds on top of 22 points. McWilliams also was impressive with 25 points and six caroms.
Mount Ida will host GNAC foe St. Joseph College (CT) this coming Saturday with tip-off slated for 1:00 p.m.