Rivier Drops Close Game to Mount Ida, 58-55

Newton, Massachusetts – Mount Ida College women's basketball freshman forward Abbey Fedigan (New Fairfield, CT/New Fairfield) propelled her team to a 58-55 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory over visiting Rivier College Thursday evening in Newton, Massachusetts. Fedigan, who netted 17 points on 7-18 shooting and careened 14 rebounds, was unrelenting the entire contest showcasing constant effort and hustle helping her team solidify their first play-off appearance since joining the GNAC four years ago. The Mustangs improve to an overall record of 9-15 and stand at 5-6 in conference competition while the visitors fall to 6-18 dropping to 4-7 in conference play and plummet out of a playoff spot heading into the weekend.

In a game with serious playoff implications on either side before tip-off, both teams opened the first half fighting for an opening lead. In the first 10 minutes of the stanza, the score knotted four times with no more than three points separating the squads.

The visitors would eventually take a three point advantage with 8:23 showing on the clock following a successful lay-in by Raider freshman Jackie Penniman (Dudley, MA/Shepherd Hill Regional) up 19-16.

The Mustangs didn't back off tying the score two more times through the next two and a half minutes after a Fedigan lay-up at the seven minute mark knotting the scoreboard at 22 apiece.

Rivier ultimately headed into the locker room with a small two point lead (29-27) with Mustang junior Rachelle Gilbert (Corunna, IN/Dekalb) sinking the final basket of the half.

Mount Ida started the second stanza powering a 7-0 run taking an immediate five point lead up 34-29 following another Fedigan lay-in.

The Mustangs would not relinquish the single digit lead down the stretch holding off the visitors on the boards out rebounding the Raiders in the second half 31-19.

Rivier cut the Mount Ida advantage to a deuce on multiple occasions throughout the latter part final stanza trailing the Mustangs 47-45 with eight minutes to go after a freshman Laura Yesu (Longmeadow, MA/Longmeadow) lay-in.

The Mustangs countered going ahead by seven points with six minutes remaining in the contest leading 52-45 after a junior Shannon Wood (Gorham, MA/Bryant University) jumper in the lane.

The Raiders cut the Mount Ida advantage down to three points (56-53) with under a minute to go after two successful free throws by sophomore Lauren Brett (Otisfield, ME/Oxford Hills).

The visitors had a final shot at the end of the contest to tie the score, but an airballed trifecta attempt by the Raiders solidified a 58-55 GNAC win for the Mustangs.

Along with Fedigan, the Mustangs saw another solid outing from Wood with 12 points and six boards while junior Jeileen Rivera (Springfield, MA/Springfield Central) added eight points and nine steals. Freshman Alicia Ward (North Reading, MA/North Reading) was also outstanding with seven points and seven caroms respectively.

Penniman led the Raiders notching a double-double with 14 points and 12 boards also adding three blocks. Sophomore Sarah Howard (West Greenwich, RI/Lincoln School) dropped in 10 points on 3-6 shooting from beyond the arc.

The Raiders will finish their season on Saturday against Lasell College at 4:00 PM.