WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DROPS TO SIMMONS COLLEGE ON THINK PINK DAY, 92-82, Senior Lauren Hickey Nets 31

In a back and forth battle the entire game, Simmons College squeaked out a 92-82 win in the closing minutes against the Mustangs on “Think Pink” day at Mount Ida Athletic Center this Saturday. The victory gives the Sharks some breathing room for a conference tournament bid bettering their overall record to 9-12, 5-5 in the GNAC while MIC drops down to 6-15 on the year, 3-7 in league play.

There were 24 lead changes and 10 ties in the entire contest with the hosts maintaining the early advantage up 10-7 at the 16:21 mark on a three pointer by Mustang Senior guard Lauren Hickey (Enosburg Falls, VT/Richford). Hickey would carry her team with a career and game high 31points along with nine caroms going 5-13 from downtown and an impressive 8-9 from the charity stripe. The Sharks would take the lead over for a short period of time around 10:58 only to lose it on two free throws by MIC Junior Nicole Casimiro (Lee, NH/Oyster River) making it 24-23 in favor of the Mustangs. The squads would exchange baskets for the next four minutes while they both piled on the offense; the score would eventually even out with Mount Ida leading 44-43 going into the break.

It was the same story in the second half with both teams matching buckets up until the seven minute mark with the visitors gaining the advantage on a triple by Simmons junior Sarah Crayton (E. Falmouth, MA/Falmouth) making it 69-68. That was the last time the Mustangs would see the lead, running out of gas with six minutes remaining in regulation. The Sharks would pull ahead by a game high 13 with two ticks to go while MIC continued to fight and try to make the late comeback. It proved to be too much with too little time on the clock giving the visitors their fifth win in the conference and soul possession of the last playoff spot.

It was an outstanding performance on both sides with the Mustangs showcasing four players in double figures. Along with Hickey, Sophomore forward Cherie Parisi (South Attleboro, MA/Attleboro) tallied her 12 double-double with 20 points and 13 boards while Casimiro and Senior guard Crystal Burgess (Lowell, MA/Lowell Regional Tech) combined for 23 points and five assists.

The Sharks were led by their starting five all of whom were in double figures including Clayton who netted a team high 24 points and eight boards. Three other SC players combined for 51 points and 19 rebounds. Senior center Nikki Cohen (Wellesley, MA/Wellesley) was a force underneath the glass grabbing 10 boards. Simmons snatched 27 offensive rebounds while the Mustangs struggled to keep up with only 18.

Mount Ida will head back on the road right down the street to neighboring Lasell College this Tuesday for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off.