MHC jetted out to an early lead, outscoring the Pride 14-4 in the first six minutes. The teams traded baskets for the next seven minutes of the game until first year forward Jessica Olson (Gilbert, Ariz.) drained a jumper at the 6:46 mark to give the Lyons a 13-point lead, 22-9. Springfield College clawed within nine points with just 4:56 to go in the half on a shot by sophomore Lauren O’Connor (Valhalla, N.Y.), but that was the closest the Pride would get during the first frame. Marisa Barone (Ludlow, Mass.) hit a chip-shot with 43 seconds to go to give the Lyons their biggest lead of the half, 14, with the score at 33-19.
In the second stanza the Pride mounted an early comeback, out-shooting the Lyons 12-5 in the first eight minutes. The run narrowed the Pride’s deficit to a mere five points, 38-35. The Lyons rallied back to a seven-point lead off a pair of free throws from both junior Marisa Barone and Angela Astuccio. MHC’s run to a double-digit lead was capped-off by Olson’s lay-up and her ensuing free throw. The Pride would not come closer that a six-point margin for the remainder of the game.
Jessica Olson finished with 11 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks. Olson was 4-of-7 from the floor and 3-of-3 from the charity stripe. Marisa Barone totaled 14 points and six rebounds. First-year Erin Cain (Quincy, Mass.) topped the team in steals with five. As a team, the Lyons shot 37.7% from the floor, forced 19 Springfield turnovers, and tallied 14 steals in the win.
Tara McCarthy ‘08 (Bristol, R.I.) led all Springfield scorers with 12 points. Lauren O’Conner registered a double-double with 11 points and a game-high 12 rebounds. Junior Christine Cotter (Stoughton, Mass.) chipped in eight points and a team-high four assists. The Pride shot 33.3% from field goal range.
Mount Holyoke College travels to Worcester, Mass. on Thursday, January 11th. The Lyons will face the Cougars of Clark University at 7:00 p.m.