HUNTINGDON, PA – Despite a 14-point, 15-rebound performance from junior forward Erin Hollinger (Chardon, OH/Chardon), the Case Western Reserve University women's basketball team lost 64-60 to #11/#12 University of Mount Union on the opening night (Wednesday, December 29) of the 2010 Juniata College (PA) Holiday Classic at Memorial Gymnasium.

With the loss, the Spartans drop to 4-5 overall and will play Wilmington College on the final day of the classic tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. With their win, the Purple Raiders improve to 9-1.

Hollinger's double-double was accompanied by five assists, four blocked shots and three steals. In addition, sophomore point guard Evy Iacono (Cincinnati, OH/Mount Notre Dame) totaled 12 points and three assists.

Mount Union was led by Rosa LaMattina with a game-high 20 points.

The Purple Raiders led 8-2 when Kori Wiedt connected on a three-pointer at 16:40. The Spartans cut the deficit to 10-7 following an Iacono triple at 14:08, but Mount Union answered with an 11-3 run and led 21-10 when Brittany Kilgore hit a layup with 6:36 left in the half. Case battled back with six straight and trailed 21-16 when sophomore point guard Erica Iafelice (North Canton, OH/Hoover) hit a jumper at 4:09, but Mount Union ended the half on a 9-6 run to lead 30-23 at the break.

The Spartans opened the second half on a 13-6 run and tied the score at 36 when Iacono hit a three-pointer at the 13:12 mark. The next possession resulted in a pair of free throws by junior forward Chelsea Peck (Mt. Lebanon, PA/Oakland Catholic) that gave Case its only lead of the contest, 38-36, with 12:45 to go.

The Raiders responded with a 9-2 run and led 45-38 when LaMattina hit two charity shots with 9:20 left to play. The Spartans cut their deficit to four on several occasions, but could not get any closer as the Raiders held on for the 64-60 win.

Following tomorrow's game versus Wilmington, the Spartans will return home for the first time in a month against Hiram College on Tuesday, January 4 at 7:00 p.m.