MUSTANGS ZAPPED BY LASERS IN 86-70 GNAC LOSS

The Mount Ida College men's basketball team fell to Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) first place holder Lasell College this past Tuesday night losing 86-70.  The Mustangs (6-7, 0-6 GNAC), who have failed to capture a victory in 2009, drop their fifth consecutive conference loss and their sixth defeat in a row.  The Lasers (9-4, 7-0 GNAC) continue to mow over the conference competition notching their fifth successive GNAC victory.

Lasell led for the opening leading 11-6 after a quick 5-0 spurt that gave them the early advantage capped off by a Junior Sainval (Miami, FL/Miami Springs) jumper.  The Mustangs eventually gained the momentum and captured the advantage from the hosts on a Matt Bennett (Rochester, NH/Spaulding) lay-up up 16-14. 

The teams continued to exchange baskets for the next six minutes with Mount Ida holding a small five point margin on a Johrone Bunch (Meriden, CT/F.T. Maloney) lay-in with 6:39 to go in the half ahead 27-22.  The visiting advantage was short lived as the Lasers regained the lead and eventually headed into the locker room up seven, 42-35. 

After a very competitive first half by both teams, the second half was a completely different story for the Mustangs.  Lasell senior Brad Caravoulias (Dracut, MA/Dracut) dialed in splashing four trifecta's in the opening 2:30 of the second stanza to give his team the outright 18 point lead up 56-38. 

Mount Ida cut the huge advantage down to single digits twice trialing by nine at the 11:29 and 8:35 mark's.  Unfortunately it wasn't enough for the Mustangs to mount a significant comeback while Lasell never let up offensively led by Caravoulias and senior Jose Guitian (Miami, FL/Miami Springs). 

The Lasers built the advantage to a game high 21 points towards the end of the contest and ultimately took home the 86-70 victory over Mount Ida.  Lasell remains undefeated in conference play while the Mustangs have failed to capture a win in the GNAC.

The Mustangs, who had a better day from the field again struggled from the three point arc going 2-12 for a measly 16 percent.  The Lasers were solid from the field at 49 percent but horrible from the foul line going 9-19.

Bunch notched 12 points while senior Matt Bennett (Rochester, NH/Spaulding) led Mount Ida with 18 points and nine rebounds.  Junior Darren Martinez (Mattapan, MA/Brookline), who continues to prove how valuable he is game in and game out, netted 12 points and eight caroms.

Guitian has consistently led the Lasers to win after win and it didn't stop against the Mustangs notching 25 points and 15 rebounds good for a double-double.  Caravoulias was outstanding with 21 points going 4-9 from downtown. 

The Mustangs will host GNAC member Rivier College this coming Wednesday with tip-off starting at 6:00 p.m.