Saturday, January 28, 2012 (Newton, Massachusetts) - Behind a double-double performance from junior transfer Evebonee Acosta (Hartford, CT/Bulkeley/Gold-Beacom College), the Mount Ida College women's basketball program captured their four Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory over visiting Johnson & Wales University by a score of 61-51 Saturday afternoon in Newton, Massachusetts.
The Mustangs get back on track after a loss to Pine Manor College last week improving to an overall record of 10-8 with a 4-3 league standing. The Wildcats fall to 7-13 for the year slumping to 3-5 in conference competition.
Acosta recorded 13 points and 10 caroms for the game's only double-double to lead the contest while senior captain Shannon Wood (Gorham, ME/Catherine McAuley/Bryant University) added 11 points and four assists. Senior center Katie Morvan (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) added 10 points and eight boards on 5-9 shooting.
Sophomore Jenna Juron (Burnt Hills, N.Y.) paced Johnson & Wales with a game-high 16 points and two assists junior Ayla Walter (Mount Pleasant, S.C.) had 11 points and eight boards in the loss for the Wildcats.
The two teams traded baskets in the early stages of the contest with the score tied 18-18 with 6:33 left in the first half. The Wildcats closed the first half with a 6-2 run, including a three-pointer by senior Kaitlyn Lefort (Pawtucket, R.I.) with 3:26 remaining to take the 24-20 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
Mount Ida came out strong to start the second half with a 9-0 run, capped by a jumper by Morvan to take the 31-26 lead with 14:54 left in the game. The Mustangs then used a 28-5 run to take their largest lead of the game, 48-29 on a jumper by Wood with 8:18 on the clock. Mount Ida would then cruise to the 61-51 victory.
The Mustangs will head to GNAC member Rivier College Monday evening with game time slated for 7:00 p.m.