NEW LONDON, Conn. (Jan. 14, 2012) – Junior guard Angelica Pascual poured in a season-best 23 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor to lead the Mount Holyoke College basketball team to a 63-51 victory over the Coast Guard Academy this afternoon. In the process, the Lyons snapped a three-game slide and secured their first NEWMAC win of the season.

Pascual was joined in double digits by first year forward Amber Legare, who continued her outstanding rookie campaign with 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three blocked shots. Guards Christine Chancy and Stephanie Pascual added nine points apiece, while senior forward Tricia Chase chipped in with four points and six rebounds. As a team, Mount Holyoke shot 39.7% (23-58) from the field and 82.3% (14-17) from the charity stripe.

First year guard Brittney Zimmerman recorded 18 points to set the tone for Coast Guard. Classmate Dani Knox posted 13 points, while sophomores Larla Brown and Kaitlin Ward pulled down eight boards apiece. The Bears were limited to 32.8% (21-64) shooting from the floor and committed 20 turnovers.

After falling behind 19-7 in the early going, Mount Holyoke used an aggressive full court press to claw its way back into the contest. The Lyons exploded for 16 of the next 19 points to grab a 23-22 edge at the 4:49 mark. They led 28-27 at the break and enjoyed a 38-31 cushion following a layup by Legare just over five minutes into the second stanza.

Coast Guard (5-7, 1-7 NEWMAC) sliced the deficit to 45-42 on a layup by Knox with 8:42 remaining in regulation.

From there, it was all Mount Holyoke. The Lyons answered with seven straight points over the next 3:35 to build an insurmountable 52-42 advantage. Pascual capped off the run with a three-pointer with just over four minutes to go. She scored 16 of her 23 points after the intermission, as the guests pulled away. They led by as many as 14 points down the stretch.

Mount Holyoke (3-11, 1-7 NEWMAC) is slated to visit Springfield College on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.