NEWTON, Mass. – Freshman Angelique Martinez (Taunton, Mass.) had one of the best rebounding performances in Mount Ida history, pulling down 23 rebounds and helping Mount Ida to a 65-58 victory over Newbury College in non-conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at Mount Ida Athletic Center.
With the help of Martinez, who had 15 rebounds on the defensive end and came one board away from the program record, the Mustangs out-rebounded the Nighthawks 58-44 and earned their first win of the year.
Martinez also added a team-high 15 points for her third double-double of the young season, while junior Jen Rafuse (Brockton, Mass.), who owns the rebounding record with a performance in last season's finale against Anna Maria, pitched in 14 points, eight rebounds, and a game-high four steals.
Sophomore guard Alex Pezzella (Rockland, Mass.) led all scorers with 21 points for Newbury, who falls to 0-5 on the year.
The Nighthawks scored the first eight points of the game and led until the nine minute mark of the first half, when Mount Ida tied the game at 19 thanks to a few quick baskets by Alysha Dunbar (Quincy, Mass.).
The game stayed close through the remainder of the first period, with Mount Ida giving up a basket and then retying the game, until the Mustangs took their first lead, 32-30, when Rafuse made a layup with just over three minutes left.
Rafuse led the Mustangs with 12 points before the break, while Martinez, who also contributed two steals and three blocks in the win, had nine rebounds in the opening twenty minutes. Pezzella had ten points in the first half to lead the Nighthawks.
Leading by six points at the half, Mount Ida would open up their lead to as many as 13 points thanks to a three-point jumper by Stephanie Champoux (Tewksbury, Mass.), who was 4-for-6 from the field and had nine points in the win, along with a team-high three assists.
Newbury did not go away easily, however, and a 14-4 run, capped by one of Pezzella's three triples in the game, pulled the Nighthawks within three points, 61-58, with under a minute and a half to play.
Martinez and Katlyn Jesse (Marshfield, Mass.), who had nine points and two assists, both made free throws down the stretch to seal the win for the Mustangs.
Senior Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, Conn.) had eleven points and seven rebounds for Mount Ida.
Katelyn Roeser (Nashua, N.H.) was the other Nighthawk in double-figures, with ten points to go with a team-high three steals and two assists, while senior Katie Haney (Winchendon, Mass.) led the visitors with eight rebounds, complimenting her nine points and two steals.
Freshman Amanda McKenzie (Bridgeport, Conn.) had eight points and one of the Nighthawk's three blocks off of the bench.
Mount Ida hits the road for the first time since November 16th next Tuesday for their last game before the Thanksgiving break, a 7:30 pm matchup at Wheelock on November 26th.
The Nighthawks continue a four-game road trip after the holiday when they travel to Daniel Webster on December 3rd for a 6:00 pm meeting with the Eagles.