Westfield freshman reserve center Forbasaw Nkamebo powers to the basket for two of her 12 points. The Amherst Regional High School graduate also grabbed eight rebounds. (Photo by Mickey Curtis)
WESTFIELD – Westfield State University bolted to a 41-11 halftime lead and cruised to a 72-43 victory over Mount Ida College in non-conference women’s basketball on Tuesday.
Following a disappointing loss to Castleton State in the championship game Westfield State Tip-Off Tournament, the Owls came out strong vs. the outmanned Mustangs, jumping out to a 12-0 lead in the opening three minutes and holding an 18-2 lead with 12:39 left in the first half.
“We played well in the first half,” said Westfield head coach Andrea Bertini. “We are an up and down team and we just have to become more consistent.”
Westfield’s biggest lead in the second half was 40 points when Bertini began clearing the bench.
The taller Owls held a decisive margin in rebounding, 52-25, including 22 offensive boards.
Spearheading Westfield’s inside attack were sophomore center Gabby Felix (Springfield) with 18 points and 11 rebounds and freshman reserve center Forbasaw Nkamebo (Amherst) with 12 points and eight rebounds. Felix and Nkamebo both played 18 minutes.
Also scoring in double figures for the Owls was senior guard Angela Paterson with 13 points. Sophomore guard Jen Ashton (Beverly) had a solid line (8 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals) and junior reserve forward Tania Ortiz (Holyoke) contributed eight points and seven rebounds.
Westfield shot 43 percent from the field and 80 percent (16 for 20) from the foul line.
Mount Ida senior guard Evebonee Acosta (Hartford, CT/Bulkeley) scored a game-high 19 points, including the Mustangs’ first nine points of the first half. Sophomore forward Jenn Rafuse (Brockton) had 10 points and nine boards.
