Tuesday, December 6, 2011 (South Boston, Massachusetts) - The Mount Ida College women's basketball team led by a commanding 24 points at halftime and never let off the gas capturing their fifth consecutive non-league victory of the season at hosting UMASS-Boston Tuesday evening in South Boston, Massachusetts by a score of 62-43. The Mustangs were led by senior Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield) recording her first double-double of the year with a game-high 15 points and 11 caroms.
After opening the season with three losses, Mount Ida has caught fire with five straight wins to improve to an overall record of 5-3 while the Beacons fall to 2-5 for the year.
Mustang junior transfer Evebonee Acosta (Hartford, CT/Bulkeley/Gold-Beacom College) finished with 12 points while freshman forward Jenn Rafuse (Brockton, MA/Brockton) came off the bench to score 13 points in 14 minutes of playing time. Sophomore forward Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) added eight points respectively.
Beacon freshman Kirsten Morrison (North Reading, MA) managed her second straight double-double as the 6-2 center totaled 12 boards and 11 points. Freshman guard Teresa Pina (Boston, MA) sparked a late Beacons rally in the second half, with her 13 points. The Boston native was 3-for-15 from the field and 1-for-3 from 3-point range.
The first 20 minutes belonged to the Mustangs as they out worked the Beacons to every rebound and every loose ball on the court. Within the first 10 minutes of play, Mount Ida held a commanding 13 point lead over the hosts. Not able to find any rhythm offensively, the Beacons were never able to slow the Mustangs down, as their lead eventually grew to 26 points before the half.
Showing some signs of life in the second, the Beacons began to chip away at the Mustangs lead as best as they could. They would eventually get the deficit down to 14, but with another strong push by the Mustangs, the late Beacon rally was not enough.
The Mustangs will host non-conference Western New England University Thursday evening in Newton, Massachusetts with game time slated for 6:00 p.m.