Tuesday, November 22, 2011 (Newton, Massachusetts) - The Mount Ida College women's basketball team held the lead for the majority of the contest relinquishing the advantage closing out a 62-56 non-conference victory over visiting Westfield State University Tuesday evening in Newton, Massachusetts.
The Mustangs capture their first victory of 2011-2012 with both teams heading into Thanksgiving break with an overall record of 1-3. Neither have yet to venture into conference play.
The Mustangs led by as many as six (10-4) in the opening four minutes of play capped off on a trifecta from junior guard Evebonee Acosta (Hartford, CT/Bulkeley/Gold-Beacom College) to set the tone early.
Mount Ida would continue to maintain the advantage going ahead by 10 points after a good lay-in from senior forward Amanda Bolio (Oxford, MA/Oxford) up 24-14 with 5:53 to go in the half.
The hosts dominated the boards not only defensively but muscling the Owls 11-4 in offensive rebounds accruing for 12 second chance points in the half. The Mustangs also scored eight points off turnovers in the first stanza.
Following a successful lay-in by Acosta, Mount Ida would head into the locker room with a commanding 32-23 lead.
The Mustangs would pull ahead by a game high 12 following another shot from downtown by Acosta up 37-25 at the 16:36 mark to start the second.
Mount Ida continued to hold a strong advantage over the visitors never falling behind by more than five points until the nine minute mark. The Owls put together an 8-0 run after a cold shooting spell by the Mustangs to erase the hosts lead going ahead by one (46-45) for the first time during the contest. The run was led by freshman center Gabby Felix (Springfield, MA/Commerce) with a couple of buckets. Felix was strong for the entire contest, keeping the Owls with in striking distance with a game high 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Westfield State's advantage would not last long watching Mount Ida convert key free throws and shots from the floor to rebuild an eight point lead (62-54) with 20 seconds left. The hosts gave up only one more basket for the rest of game closing out a 62-56 non-league bid.
The Mustangs were paced by Acosta with 19 points going 3-6 from downtown and 7-16 from the floor. Senior captain and guard Shannon Wood (Gorham, ME/Catherine McAuley/Bryant University) chipped in 11 points adding four assists and four steals. Sophomore Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) nearly eclipsed a double-double with 10 points and nine caroms.
Led by Felix's double-double, the Owls also saw good individual performances by freshman guard Jen Ashton (Beverly, MA/Beverly) with 14 points, six boards, three assists, and two steals. The visitors were cold from three point land all night at 18 percent and only 26 percent from the floor.
Mount Ida dominated the boards the entire night outdoing the Owls 48-38. The teams each turned the ball over 13 times as well.
The Mustangs will hold off until after Thanksgiving and reconvene Sunday in the back end of a non-league double header with the men's team in Newton, Massachusetts against Wheaton College with game time slated for 3:00 p.m. The visitors will have their home opener a week from today against visiting Emerson College with tip-off at 7:00 p.m.