Saturday, February 18, 2012 (Newton, Massachusetts) - Mount Ida College women's basketball senior guard and captain Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) recorded a team-high 19 points and nine rebounds in a tough 75-55 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) loss Saturday afternoon to league number one seed Emmanuel College.
The Saints outdid the hosts on the boards immensely leading 57-40 in a game that featured a combined 59 turnovers, 29 from the visitors and 30 by Mount Ida.
Four Mustangs were honored by fourth year Head Coach Jack Casey and the Mount Ida Athletic Department before the contest on senior day. Rivera, Amanda Bolio (Oxford, MA/Oxford), Katie Morvan (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) and Shannon Wood (Gorham, ME/Catherine McAuley/Bryant University) were the players recognized for their outstanding contributions and accomplishments.
The Mustangs head into the playoffs in the fifth spot finishing the regular season with a 14-11 overall record going 8-5 in league play while the Saints are rewarded the number one overall seed following a flawless GNAC record at 13-0, 19-6 for the year.
Rivera was the only Mount Ida player in double figures for the day while Wood and sophomore Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) chipped in nine points each. Freshman forward Jenn Rafuse (Brockton, MA/Brockton) added seven points and seven caroms respectively.
The Saints saw three players in double figures led by junior forward Fiona O'Dwyer (Stamford, CT/Stamford) notching a game-high 22 points and 11 boards for the game's only double-double on 11-19 shooting. Freshman forward Lena Negri (Arlington, VA/Yorktown) added 17 points and six rebounds while sophomore Victoria Johnson (Syracuse, NY/Christian Brothers) tallied 10 points on 5-10 shooting.
Emmanuel led from the opening tip building a 10 point (23-13) lead through the first 10 minutes of play following a senior Megan Kirwan (Melrose, MA/Melrose) lay-in.
The visiting advantage grew to 16 points (33-17) with 4:50 remaining in the half following a senior Breanna Ockimey (Philadelphia, PA/Academy of Notre Dame) lay-up.
The Saints headed into the locker room with a 12 point lead (37-25) with the Mustangs sinking the final basket of the half on a trifecta by Rivera.
Emmanuel went ahead by 22 points with 13:38 left to go in the second half capped on a Negri jumper in the lane up 51-29.
The advantage grew to a game-high 26 points with 4:46 remaining in the contest after another bucket from Negri leading 73-47. The Saints eventually closed out the 75-55 GNAC win to finish their season undefeated in the league at 13-0.
Both teams will wait to see their fate and resume action in the quarterfinals of the GNAC tournament on Tuesday.