Women's Basketball Upends Mount Ida, 82-37

The Wheaton College women's basketball team scored 21 points off of turnovers in the first half en route to an 82-37 victory over Mount Ida College in non-conference action on Sunday evening at Emerson Gymnasium.

Senior guard Hallie Vitagliano (Newton, Mass./Newton North) poured in a game-high 11 points on a perfect night from the field (5-for-5) including one three-pointer. Vitagliano also added three rebounds (two offensive) and one assist. Freshman forward Jorden Mitchell (South Berwick, Maine/Marshwood) matched Vitagliano for the game-high in points with a 5-for-12 showing from the field, four defensive rebounds and one block.

Sophomore guard Laura Pierce (Hampstead, N.H./Pinkerton Academy) chipped in with nine points making three 3-pointers, all in the first half. Pierce also contributed four rebounds (one offensive) and three assists. Freshman Kiley Shoemaker (Fayeteville, N.Y./Fayeteville-Manlius) posted eight points, four caroms (two offensive), one assist and one block.

For the Mustangs, sophomore guard Allison O'Connor (Leominster, Mass./Leominster) scored 11 points on 5-of-12 shooting (1-for-3 from beyond the arc), two rebounds, one assist and one steal. Classmate Jenn Rafuse (Brockton, Mass./Brockton) collected a double-double with ten points (5-of-12) and ten rebounds (two offensive), one block and one steal.

The Lyons generated 14 turnovers in the first half compiling a 21-2 margin in points off of turnovers. Wheaton used a variety of press defenses after the first few possessions sparking a 27-8 run over a span of 11 minutes and 23 seconds to begin the contest which allowed the Lyons to never trail in the game. The hosts outscored Mount Ida, 22-2, in the paint and posted a 26-10 differential on the boards (11-2 offensive) in the opening half.

Overall, Wheaton outrebounded the Mustangs, 48-24, and won the turnover margin, 27-18. The Lyons had 16 steals on the night with sophomore forward Abbie Brickley (Sandy, Utah/Skyline) leading the way with a game-high four swipes. Freshman forward Emily Romans (Easton, Mass./Oliver Ames) and junior guard Melissa McLaughlin (Spindale, N.C./R-S Central) aided the defense with three apiece. Wheaton outscored Mount Ida, 53-6, in bench points.

The Lyons (2-2, 0-0 NEWMAC) open up New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play against Coast Guard on the road at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Mount Ida (1-3, 0-0 GNAC) visits Daniel Webster on Wednesday at 7 p.m.