BOSTON, Mass. -- The Mount Ida College women's basketball team fell to 1-8 (1-2 GNAC) after dropping their game against the hosting Wildcats of Wheelock College on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 79-63.
The Mustangs were led by sophomore guard Trish Liotta (Hampton Bays, N.Y.) who scored 16 points with four treys. She was joined in double-figure scoring by Katlyn Jesse (Marshfield, Mass.) and sophomore guard Breanna Muir (Wareham, Mass.) who each added 11 points. Junior center Angelique Martinez (Taunton, Mass.) pulled down 20 rebounds (12 offensive) and chipped in eight points as well as a game-high six assists and three blocks.
Wheelock combined lights-out shooting from downtown with a balanced scoring attack to take charge early and lead for the majority of the contest. As a team, the Wildcats shot 7-for-12 from beyond the arc for a scorching hot 58.3%. Four players reached double-digit scoring while rookie forward Katie Walsh (East Islip, N.Y.) and junior forward Michelle Woods (Wilmington, Mass.) each recorded double-doubles. Walsh had 14 points and 21 rebounds (eight offensive) which is tied for fourth for most rebounds in a single game in Wheelock women's basketball history.
The visiting Mustangs got off to a great start as Liotta drilled a 3-pointer to open the game while a lay-up by junior forward Brittany Crosby (Riverside, R.I.) made it 5-0. From there, the Wildcats took charge. First came a 6-0 spurt to give them a 6-5 edge. Mount Ida briefly reclaimed their lead on a lay-up by Martinez with 5:33 to go in the first. That would be the last time Wheelock trailed as junior guard Brianna Hochwarter (Attleboro, Mass.) drained a trifecta to spark a 12-0 run that gave the home team an 18-7 advantage headed to the second.
With 9:29 to go in the second period, the Mustangs drew within 10 on a pair of free throws by junior guard Katlyn Jesse (Marshfield, Mass.). The Wildcats responded with a 10-2 surge that appeared to put the game out of reach. The home team would cruise to the break and led 38-25 at the half.
Wheelock continued to push their advantage in the second half as the lead ballooned to as many as 22 points in the fourth period. Mount Ida scored the final five points of the game to close a 79-58 deficit to the final score of 79-63.
The Wildcats were led by Woods with 17 points and 10 rebounds while Walsh had 14 and 21 caroms, Hochwarter added 14 points including four 3-pointers, and junior guard Jaime Grzych (Columbia, Conn.) contributed 13 points and four assists.
Wheelock returns to action after their winter break with a contest on the road against Bay Path on Wednesday January 6th at 8:00 p.m. Mount Ida faces off against Beloit in Florida on Monday December 28th with a 5:30 p.m. tip-off.
Content Courtesy of Wheelock College Sports Information