Sunday, November 27, 2011(Newton, Massachusetts) - Behind a game-high 23 points by Mount Ida College women's basketball sophomore forward Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield), the Mustangs grabbed the lead (14-13) from visiting non-league Wheaton College with 12:31 to go in the first half and never looked back en route to a 64-55 victory Sunday afternoon in Newton, Massachusetts.
The hosts capture their second consecutive non-conference win improving to an overall record of 2-3 while the visiting Lyons fall to 1-3 for the year. Neither team has yet to play in conference action.
Mount Ida was solid from the line (91%), the floor (49%), and from three point land (46%) on the day fueled mostly by an impressive 10-18 day for Fedigan who also went 3-6 from downtown.
Hosts senior guard Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) added 12 points while fellow senior guard Shannon Wood (Gorham, ME/Catherine McAuley/Bryant University) added 11 points and eight assists. Freshman forward Jenn Rafuse (Brockton, MA/Brockton) played some outstanding minutes for the Mustangs with four points and four rebounds.
The visitors saw two players in double digits for points; senior forward Gabbie DePalo (Rumson, NJ/Rumson-Fair Haven Regional) chipped in 14 points and 13 caroms to pace the Lyons with a double-double. Junior Jeana Trimboli (Norwalk, CT/Trinity Catholic added 11 points and six assists.
Each team exchanged the lead throughout the first five and a half minutes in the contest with the visitors eventually holding a four point advantage (13-9) after a DePalo lay-in.
Mount Ida countered through the next seven minutes of play charging through a 19-6 run fueled by Fedigan, Rivera, and Wood jumping ahead by nine points leading 28-19.
The hosts continued to power through solid offensive play to lead by a half high 15 points following a good lay-in by Rafuse up 36-21 at the 2:46 mark.
After exchanging baskets through the final couple of ticks the Mustangs headed into the locker room with a commanding 38-24 advantage capped on a jumper by Wood.
The solid first half of play by the Mustangs sucked the life out of the Lyons who had trouble making a comeback in the second stanza. Mount Ida's double digit lead was maintained up by a game high 16 points three times throughout most of the half led by strong play all over the court.
The visitors were only able to get within seven points with just under a minute to go in the contest twice but could not stop the high powered attack of the Mustangs watching the hosts close out a 64-55 non-league victory.
Mount Ida will travel to non-conference Becker College in Worcester, Massachusetts Tuesday evening with game time slated for 7:00 p.m. It will be the first of three games on the road before the Mustangs head back to Newton, Massachusetts to host non-league Western New England College on December 8, 2011.
The Lyons will head home to face Coast Guard this coming Wednesday in New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action with tip-off at 7:00 p.m.