Stopera Musters Eighth Double-Double in 64-53 Women’s Hoops Defeat over Mustangs

NEWTON, Mass. (2/12/15) – The Lasell College Lasers took down the Mount Ida Mustangs in a 64- 53 victory Thursday evening in the Lasell College Athletic Center.  The Lasers pick up the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) win making their record 7-14 (2-7 GNAC), while the Mustangs drop to 6-17 (0-9 GNAC).  

Lasell's junior guard Katie Stopera (Hollis, N.H.) recorded her eighth double-double of the season with 10 points and 12 rebounds while forward Breanna Williams (Bloomfield, Conn.) deposited 10 points and seven rebounds.  Freshman forward Breanna Cashman (Norwich, N.Y.) and junior guard Deanna Barrett (Berlin, Conn.) each chipped in with 11 points apiece. 

Mount Ida sophomore guard Stephanie Champoux (Tewksbury, Mass.) lead all players with 14 points and five rebounds.  Sophomore forward Angelique Martinez (Taunton, Mass.) and freshman guard Imani Bumpus (West Hartford, Conn.) each contributed nine points apiece while Martinez pulled down 16 rebounds and Bumpus tallied eight boards in the effort. 

The Lasers and Mustangs battled back and forth during the first 15 minutes of the contest.  Lasell outscored the visitors 27-20 in the first half, capped by a 90-percent clip from the line. With 13:36 remaining in the second half and the score at 38-28 in favor of Lasell, the Lasers went on a 10-1 run over the next 4:41 to break open the game to their largest lead of 18 points (48-29).  The spurt featured back-to-back three pointers from junior guard Ashley Gleason (Suffield, Conn.) and junior guard Rebeka Costa (Methuen, Mass.), as well as a jumper from senior guard Justine Ryan (Norwood, Mass.) and a layup from Williams. 

The Mustangs closed the gap to 10 points after a 6-0 run (58-48) with 2:38 left on the clock.  Champoux sank a jumper, sophomore guard Katlyn Jesse (Marshfield, Mass.) hit a three, and Crosby knocked down a free throw attempt over the rally.  However, this is as close as the visitors would get as Williams' and Barrett's combined efforts at the line closed out an eventual 64-53 victory. 

Both teams return to GNAC home contest action on Saturday, February 14 at 1:00 p.m. Lasell will host Anna Maria in their Play4Kay game, while Mount Ida faces St. Joseph's (Conn.).