MBB Can't Keep Up at Becker

LEICESTER, Mass. - The Becker College Hawks defeated the Mariners of Mitchell College, 76-48, Thursday night in New England Collegiate Conference men's basketball action.

The Hawks improved to 13-8 overall (9-1 NECC) while the Mariners drop to 3-16 overall (2-8 NECC).

Becker took a 10-point, 35-25 halftime advantage into the locker room. The Mariners were only down by five points with 8:45 to play when sophomore Julio Contreras hit a jumper just in the paint, but the Hawks countered with a 12-7 run down the stretch for the lead. The Hawks outrebounded the Mariners 23-12 and hit a blistering 57 percent from the field. Junior Drew Norris led the Mariners with 15 points while Rajai Leggett and Trey Jacobs paced the Hawks with 10 apiece in the first 20 minutes.

The Hawks continued their dominance in the second half as they built a 16-point lead, 41-25, just two minutes in when Mudia Osewegie hit back-to-back baskets. Becker led by double digits the entire second half and cruised to the win.

Four Hawks ended the night in double figures: Leggett (11 points), Osewegie (12 points), Jacobs (12 points) and junior Matt Petrides had 12 points off the bench. Leggett also had a game-high nine rebounds.

Contreras finished with 13 points for the Mariners while senior Mike DePaolo chipped in with eight points.

The Hawks finished the game shooting 59 percent and held the rebound advantage 40-22. Mitchell shot just 35 percent and committed 26 turnovers.

Mitchell will wrap up a five-game road stretch on Saturday, February 13 at Elms College. Tip-off is scheduled for 3 p.m.