PRIDE START 2010-11 SEASON WITH WIN OVER MOUNT IDA COLLEGE

(Newton, Massachusetts) – In the 2010/2011 season home opener for the Mount Ida College women's basketball team, the Mustangs were downed by visiting non-conference Regis College (MA), 67-45, Monday night in Newton, Massachusetts.

The Pride, who finished last season with a runner-up finish in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC), outdid the Mustangs on the boards with 59 total rebounds for the game while the hosts had a measly 30.  17 more offensive rebounds by the visitors was the difference handing the Mustangs their first loss (0-1) of the season while the Pride improve to 1-0 overall. 

Mount Ida led once the entire game up 4-3 with 17:36 showing in the opening of the first half following a lay-in by Mustang junior center Katie Morvan (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge). 

Unfortunately for the hosts, their lead was quickly diminished after a good free throw by Pride junior Stephanie Crawford (Rockland, MA) followed by a three ball from freshman Lauren Kimble (Concord, CA) for the 6-4 lead at the 14:55 mark.

An 18-0 run ensued in a matter of six minutes by the visitors blowing the game open to give the Pride a commanding 21-4 advantage capped off on a trifecta by freshman Leah Murphy (Westborough, MA).  Mount Ida struggled desperately from the floor only able to shoot 28 percent (8-28) for the first half. 

The Pride maintained the large double digit advantage for the ladder part of the first half holding a 17 point lead (29-12) after a converted lay-in by visiting freshman Claire Ramonas (Portland, ME) with 4:53 to go before the break.  Mount Ida could not find the basket during the stretch scoring only eight points in a four minute period.

The Mustangs cut the lead to 12 with 3:14 remaining in the half following a lay-in by junior Jenny Davis (Bristol, England/Filton College) trailing 30-18.  The visitors would eventually go into halftime with a commanding 36-21 lead.

The Pride scored the first two baskets to start the second half, both drained by Ramonas, leading by 19 up 40-21 with 18:34 showing on the clock.

Mount Ida countered with a small 6-0 run to cut the Pride advantage to 13 trailing 40-27 after a good lay-in by junior transfer Shannon Wood (Gorham, ME/Catherine McAuley/Bryant University) at the 15:14 mark. 

The teams exchanged baskets for the next couple of minutes while the Pride held on to their double digit advantage that continued to fluctuate in their favor.  They would ultimately reach a 22 point lead after a converted three pointer by junior Stefanie Wozmak (Auburn, NH) with 8:19 to go in the game.

The hosts never quit on the game and would see a handful of good looks due to solid defense and mistakes by the visitors.  They unfortunately had a very difficult time making baskets towards the end and were only able to score eight points in the final seven minutes of the game with four points coming from junior Jillisa Walcott (Cambridge, MA/Cambridge Rindge & Latin).  The visitors ended up reaching a game high 26 point lead after another successful lay-in by Ramonas.  The Pride rode out the final ticks of the contest capturing a 67-45 non-conference victory.

The Mustangs were led by Morvan with 14 points on 7-14 shooting along with five rebounds and three blocks.  Walcott would add six points and two boards while four other Mustangs added four points apiece. 

The visitors were led by the commanding inside presence of Ramonas who netted 18 points grabbing 14 boards good for her first double-double of the season.  Two other Pride players scored in double figures with Wozmak adding 11 points and senior Brittany White (Boston, MA) chipping in 10 with eight boards.