THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke kicks off its NEWMAC slate versus Springfield College this evening (7:00) at the Mildred S. Howard Gymnasium. In 24 previous meetings between the programs, the Pride own a 21-3 advantage. Last winter, they swept the Lyons, winning by scores of 45-39 and 48-39. Springfield has prevailed in each of the last seven contests between the teams. Game Program

THE LYONS: Guard Angelica Pascual has sizzled out of the gate, posting averages of 15.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game over Mount Holyoke's first four contests. She exploded for a program record 37 points in her team's  heartbreaking 62-60 loss to Agnes Scott College in the opening game of the Seven Sisters Classic. Her seven three-pointers in the contest were good for tops in school history. Pascual was named to the All-Classic Team after scoring 15 more points in the Lyons' 54-51 triumph over Vassar College the following day. She was joined on the All-Classic Team by forward Tricia Chase, who has posted 7.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per outing. Guard Annabel Barrett has netted 7.5 points per game, while forward Bree Hollinger has pulled down 7.8 boards per contest. Mount Holyoke has also received a boost from guard Christine Chancy, who has amassed 7.3 points per game to go with nine assists. As a team, the Lyons have hauled in 75 offensive rebounds.

THE PRIDE: Springfield has dropped its first four contests of the season after posting a 15-11 mark in 2009-10. After falling 55-47 to Worcester State University in their opener, the Pride were downed 80-64 by Rhode Island College and 66-60 by Connecticut College at the Brandeis University Invitational. They were then topped 73-42 by Williams College in their most recent outing last Tuesday. Guards Abby Connors and Meghan Biondolillo have tallied 10.3 points per game apiece to lead the way for Springfield. The Pride have also received solid production from Kelly Murphy, who has totaled eight assists and five steals to go with a points per game average of 8.5. Forward Kelly Slattery has chipped in with 6.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per outing, while  frontcourt mates Emily Walker and Amelia Sapowsky have grabbed 6.5 and 6.3 boards, respectively. The Pride have been limited to 53.2 points per game on 33.3% (77-231) shooting from the floor.  

NEXT UP: Both squads will resume their NEWMAC schedules on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Mount Holyoke will visit Wellesley, while Springfield will host MIT.