Albany, NY - After five lead changes in the first two quarters, the Lady Mustangs used their pressure defense to grab a 47-39 lead at the half. After a brief run by the Vikings, CM surged to a 20-point lead, racing to a 93-69 victory over 6th ranked Villa Maria. In a match-up of two USCAA DII National Tournament-level teams, CM's depth, size, and relentless tempo was simply too much for the Vikings.
Ten players played double-digit minutes, with five scoring in double figures. All-American, Brooke Reynolds, led the way with 20 points on 9-16 shooting while also recording 7 rebounds and 5 steals. Kristina Blais hit four 3's, finishing with 12 points. Blais also recorded a game-high 7 assists. Jordyn Reynolds recorded another double-double, finishing with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while Natalie Thurber scored 12 points off the bench. Jane Lester scored 10 off the bench, all in the first half, while also recording 7 rebounds.
Bianca Brown led the Vikings with 17 points on 8-17 shooting.
With the loss Villa Maria drops to 15-5 overall.
Head Women's Basketball Coach, Andrew Morong, on the win, "This was a national tournament-like game. Villa Maria plays such a different style than we are used to seeing, and we had a little trouble adjusting to it early on. We really focused on pushing the tempo, and not allowing them any breaks. We wanted to tire their shooters out by keeping constant pressure on them. We executed our game plan, and I am so proud of our women for how hard they battled for forty minutes. They played with tremendous intensity and enthusiasm, which is hopefully a sign of things to come. We need to get over this win quickly though and be ready to play a talented ACPHS team tomorrow afternoon."
Eraleena Gethers-Hairston just missed a double-double, finishing with 8 points and 10 rebounds, while Kristen Huntress connected on three long balls, finishing with 9. Hayley Peterson gave CM a defensive spark in the second half, flustering the Vikings into several mistakes.
With the win CM improves to 19-1 overall and has now won 17 in a row. They will be back in action in less than 24-hours when they play Albany College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences tomorrow at 1:00pm.
