Mustangs Edge Eagles, Brinley Buckley Named to All-Tournament Team

Boxscore

(North Dartmouth, MA) - Mount Ida defeated Green Mountain 60-56 in the consolation game of the 2009 Hampton Inn Women's Basketball Classic at the Tripp Athletic Center Sunday.

Mount Ida senior guard Nicole Casmiro (Lee, NH/Oyster River) put the Mustangs ahead for good with 3:49 to play with a three pointer from the corner  and scored 9 of her teams final 13 points as the Mustangs held on to victory in a nip and tuck consolation game against the Eagles, securing third place in the tournament.

Green Mountain College shot 42% compared to 34% for Mount Ida but the Eagles committed ten more turnovers (32-22) that led to second-chance scoring opportunities for the Mustangs.

The game was at 20 late in the first half but back to back baskets by Mount Ida senior forward Cherie Parisi (S Attleboro, MA) and a lay up by sophomore guard Jeileen Rivera(Springfield, MA) sent the Mustangs into the break with a 26-20 advantage.

GMC battled back in the second half, that saw five ties and five lead changes, taking their first lead since 15-14 with 9:07 in the first half, when senior guard Christin Louras (Rutland, VT) buried a trey from the corner to put the Eagles in front 35-32 with 12:35 left in the game.  Mustangs sophomore forward Jenny Davis answered with her own three from the wing knotting the game at 35.  Green Mountain would take their final lead at 4:07 in the second half when freshman guard Lindsay Tassie (Williamstown, VT) connected for three points the hard way on a lay up and a free throw to give the Eagles a 49-47 advantage, unfortunately not for long as the Mustangs Casmiro took over from their and led her team to the win.

The Mustangs were led by Casimiro who has 16 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and 3 blocks.  Joining her in double-figures was Parisi who had 14 points to go with 6 rebounds.  GMC was lead by senior forward Emma Brinley Buckley (Lakeville, CT), who was dominant in the paint, and finished with a game-high 18 points and 18 rebounds.  She was joined in double figures by freshman guard Chelsea Paul (Northville, NY) with 15 points and Louras chipped in with 9 points on 3 of 4 shooting from beyond the arc.

Brinley Buckley was named to the all-tournament team, tallying 28 points, 25 boards, and 6 blocks on the weekend.

The Mustangs improved to 2-2 with the victory, while the Eagles dropped to 0-2 with the defeat. Mount Ida will host Westfield State Tuesday evening. Green Mountain will visit New England College Tuesday.