SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 19, 2011) – The Mount Holyoke College basketball team suffered a 63-48 setback to Suffolk University in the opening round of the Golden Bear Hoops Classic this evening at Western New England University. Sophomore guard Annabel Barrett paced the Lyons with a career best 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the floor.

Mount Holyoke also received a boost from senior guard Christine Chancy, who finished with 12 points. Both players knocked down a pair of three-pointers for the Lyons, who converted 30.0% (18-60) of their shots from the field. Junior guard Angelica Pascual chipped in with seven points, while first year forward Nicole DeMarchena  pulled down 13 rebounds.

Three players reached double digits in the scoring column for Suffolk, which improved to 2-0 on the year. The Rams turned a 51-34 advantage on the glass into 21 second chance points. Jennifer Ruys posted a double-double on 13 points and 10 rebounds to lead the way. Meanwhile, junior guard Jacqueline Vienneau and senior forward Meghan Black netted 11 points apiece, and senior forward Mary Garon collected 14 boards. Suffolk knocked down 42.9% (24-56) of its attempts from the floor.

After Chancy knotting things up at 10-10 with a long jumper at the 14:31 mark, the Rams took control of the game with a 13-4 run over the next four minutes. They enjoyed a 23-14 edge midway through the first half and took a 36-26 lead into the locker room. Ruys and Barrett each scored 11 points before the break.  

Suffolk pushed its lead to 47-33 on a layup by first year guard Iliana Quadri just over five minutes into the second half. Mount Holyoke used a 10-4 spurt to slice the deficit to 56-48 with 4:57 remaining in regulation, but the Rams closed things out with seven straight points. Vienneau converted a free throw and a three-pointer to spark the late run. Eight of her points came after the intermission.

Mount Holyoke (0-2, 0-0 NEWMAC) will face off against Western New England in the consolation game tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. The Golden Bears fell 56-48 to Hartwick College in the tonight's other opening round contest. Suffolk (2-0, 0-0 GNAC) and Hartwick will square off in the championship tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.