Monday, January 30, 2012 (Nashua, New Hampshire) - In the closing seconds of overtime, the Mount Ida College women's basketball team surrendered a game winning lay-in to hosting Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) member Rivier College Monday evening falling by a score of 71-69 in Nashua, New Hampshire. The Mustangs fall to an overall record of 10-9 with a league slated of 4-4.
In the extra frame, it was Rivier sophomore Erin Sweeney (Chicopee, MA) who made the game winning layup with a second remaining after receiving a perfect pass from senior Amandra Purcell (Hudson, NH). Sweeney finished the game with just four very important points.
Mount Ida was led by three players in double figures led by senior's Katie Morvan (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) and Amanda Bolio (Oxbow, MA/Oxbow) adding 14 points and seven rebounds each. Junior transfer Evenbonee Acosta (Hartford, CT/Bulkeley/Gold-Beacom College) chipped in 10 points while sophomore forward Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) tallied nine points and seven caroms.
Holding onto a slim three point lead, the Raiders missed a crucial free throw with 0:14 seconds remaining. Mount Ida's Wood got possession of the ball and with defenders in her face, drilled a three pointer to tie the game with just 0:02 left in the 2nd half.
Rivier was paced by the scoring effort of Amandra Purcell. She scored 26 total points, including knocking down six three pointers. Younger sister, freshman Deanna Purcell (Hudson, NH) recorded 12 points and eight rebounds. Sophomore Jaclyn Penniman (Dudley, MA) had 17 points – shooting 8-for-9 from inside the line – and collected eight rebounds.
The Mustangs will travel to non-league UMASS-Dartmouth Wednesday evening with tip-off coming at 7:00 p.m.