Mount Ida jumped out to an early 11-2 advantage just 4:23 into the contest and never looked back. The Mustangs opened up a 23-point lead (40-17) at the half and led by as many as 32 points (55-23) midway through the second stanza.
Wheelock was limited to 27.9% (17-61) shooting and committed 38 turnovers in the game. The Wildcats were also ourebounded 54-45. Mount Ida picked up assists on 18 of its 27 made baskets.
Santos netted three shots from behind the arc en route to a 15-point night, while Xenos tallied 14 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor. She also added five rebounds, five steals and a pair of blocks. Smith grabbed a season-high 16 boards (6 offensive), and junior Jessy Gilbert (Strong, Maine/Mount Abram) dished out a season-best seven assists. The Mustangs also received solid production from sophomore Lauren Hickey (Berkshire, Vt./Richford), who totaled nine points and six rebounds. Freshman Elise McLear (Swansea, Mass./Case) rounded things out with six steals for the visitors.
Three Wildcats posted double-digit scoring nights in a losing effort. Junior Samantha Cummings (Middleboro, Mass.) led all scorers with 17 points to go with nine rebounds, five assists and five steals. Freshmen Jessica O’Connor (Claremont, N.H.) recorded a double-double on 13 points and 12 boards, while classmate Amelia Woodley (Jamaica Plain, Mass.) added 13 points and five steals for Wheelock.
Mount Ida (1-5, 1-0 NAC) will be in action again on Saturday, when it hosts Johnson State College for a Conference game beginning at 4:00 p.m. Wheelock (0-4, 0-3 NAC) will also take the court on Saturday, as it travels to the University of Maine Farmington for league contest tipping off at 1:00 p.m. The Wildcats will visit Mount Ida on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 for a rematch with the Mustangs.