SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Jan. 24, 2011) – Junior forward Tricia Chase piled up 18 points and 13 rebounds to boost the Mount Holyoke College women's basketball team to a 67-50 triumph over Johnson and Wales University this evening at the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium. It was her second double-double of the season and third of her career. Her 18 points were a career high.
Four starters reached double digits in the scoring column for the Lyons, who drained a season best 41.3% (26-63) of their shots from the field. They took advantage of an overwhelming 54-22 edge on the glass to outscore the Wildcats 34-12 in the paint. Of their 54 boards, 21 came at the offensive end of the floor.
Senior guard Christine Chancy racked up season highs of 17 points and four assists, while sophomore guard Angelica Pascual recorded her fourth career double-double on 13 points and 10 rebounds. Mount Holyoke also received solid production from sophomore forward Jennine Vizcaino, who tallied a career high 10 points to go with seven boards. Senior guard Emilie Methot chipped in with four assists for the Lyons, who finished with 15 helpers on 26 made baskets.
Three players scored in double digits for Johnson and Wales, which converted 32.0% (16-50) of its shots from the floor and 75.0% (15-20) of its free throw attempts. The Wildcats were paced by sophomore guard Marina Millian, who collected 14 points, five steals and three assists. Guards Jenna Juron and Ayla Walter added 12 points apiece.
Chase exploded out of the gate, scoring seven points over the first five minutes. Her third basket of the game put Mount Holyoke in front 9-2 at the 15:16 mark. The Lyons then closed out the opening frame with a 16-3 run to take a 34-18 edge into the locker room. Chase scored 12 of her 18 points before the intermission.
Mount Holyoke extended its cushion to 42-20 on a jumper by Chancy just over two minutes into the second half. Johnson and Wales sliced the deficit to 11 points on four occasions down the stretch but could get no closer. Pascual recorded 12 of her 13 points after the break, draining a pair of three-pointers in the process.
Both squads are slated to resume their league schedules later this week. Mount Holyoke (4-12, 2-8 NEWMAC) will visit Springfield College for a NEWMAC tilt beginning at 7:00 p.m. Meanwhile, Johnson and Wales (5-13, 2-2 GNAC) will host GNAC foe Albertus Magnus College on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.