LEICESTER, Mass. -- Behind standout performances from sophomore Trish Liotta (Hampton Bays, N.Y.) and junior Angelique Martinez (Taunton, Mass.), Mount Ida College opened up 2016 by getting back in the win column with a 59-57 win over Becker in non-conference women's basketball action on Saturday afternoon at the Leicester Gymnasium.
Martinez had an impressive double-double, with a game-high 23 points and 20 rebounds, while Liotta added a career-high 20 points herself, including hitting four shots from behind the three-point line, helping the Mustangs snap a six game skid and improve to 2-10.
Molly Alkinburg (Port Deposit, Md.) tallied nine points and nine boards off the bench for Mount Ida, who trailed by two points after one quarter and led by one at the break in a game that featured six ties and eleven lead changes.
Becker (1-9) freshman Ciara McKissick (Charlton, Mass.) paced the Hawks with a team-high 19 points. Classmate Adrianna Dowdy (East Haven, Conn.) registered a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards. Senior Gabrielle Gallo (Northport, N.Y.) chipped in with 13 points and nine rebounds off the bench.
The Mustangs held their biggest lead, seven points, with just 2:25 remaining in the game, but needed three made free throws by Alkinburg, who scored the last five points for Mount Ida, to ensure they held off the Hawks until the final whistle.
Mount Ida returns to action on Tuesday, January 5th when they travel to Rivier College for a 7:00 p.m. tilt with the Raiders, as they begin Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play.
Becker will continue New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) action at Lesley University on Saturday, January 9th at 7:00 p.m.