SVC Pulls Ahead in Second Half vs. MBB

BENNINGTON, Vt. - The Southern Vermont College Mountaineers used a strong second half to power past the visiting Mitchell College Mariners, 89-74, Saturday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) action at the Mountaineer Athletic Center.

SVC erased a six-point halftime deficit to earn its first victory of the season. Taeshon Johnson led the Mountaineers with 26 points and nine rebounds while Jordan Santiago added 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Robert McQueen scored 14 on 4-for-7 shooting while Avery Mitchell netted all 10 of his points in the second half.

Mitchell sophomore Joshua Ford had a double-double with 15 points and a career-high 18 rebounds in the defeat. Senior Paul Jefferson dropped in 16 points while classmate Enoch Contreras had 13 points and a season-high seven assists.

Southern Vermont (1-8 overall) led for the majority of the first half and pulled ahead by as many as nine points. However, at the 3:30 mark the Mariners took the lead on a three-pointer from Contreras. The Mariners kept the lead the rest of the half and went to the break with a 42-36 advantage.

In the second half the Mountaineers came out on fire as they outscored Mitchell 53-32. Less than three minutes into the second half McQueen drilled his second three-pointer of the frame to cut the lead to one. On the next possession Santiago slid through the lane for a lay-up and gave the Mountaineers a 49-48 lead. After a free throw from SVC and a bucket from Mitchell tied the game at 50 for the fourth time of the day, the Mountaineers went on an 8-1 run. 

The Mountaineers never relinquished their lead and led by as many as 17 with 50 seconds remaining. Forwards Cory Christensen and Brandon Johnson played important minutes for SVC as they finished with eight and six points, respectively. Christensen also had six rebounds in the win.

Mitchell struggled at the free throw line, shooting 30 percent on 20 attempts. Southern Vermont earned 34 trips to the charity stripe and converted on 25 for a 74-percent clip.

Following a holiday break, Mitchell (3-5 overall, 1-1 NECC) will return to action against NECC newcomer Regis College on January 7. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Yarnall Athletic Center.