MBB Can't Catch Up Against Albertus Magnus

NEW LONDON, Conn. – A big first half helped Albertus Magnus College to a 99-91 victory at Mitchell College on Wednesday night in non-conference men's basketball action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Falcons led 56-38 at the break and had enough of a cushion to withstand an 11-0 run by the Mariners to start the second half. Mitchell eventually trimmed to the deficit to as little as six with 13:15 to play, but Albertus Magnus quickly bumped the margin back to double digits and held on late.

Shontaey Lovell led the Falcons with 25 points on 10-of-15 shooting and added 17 rebounds and two blocks. Jaqhawn Walters also finished with a double-double of 21 points and 12 boards while Luciano Martinez contributed 14 points and Bernard Kline came off the bench to chip in 12 points and seven assists. 

Frank Martin paced the Mariners with 25 points and added nine rebounds, four assists and three steals. Donavan McClean pitched in with 22 points and five assists while Domenico Santiago finished with 21 points on 10-for-15 shooting with nine rebounds and two blocks.

The Falcons led 11-7 in the opening minutes of the contest before an 11-0 run opened up a double-digit lead for the visitors. Chaunce Dunbar contributed a pair of three-pointers during the stretch and finished with four treys and 12 points in the half.

The lead ballooned to 20 as Albertus Magnus was quick to capitalize on Mitchell misses, pushing the ball up the floor to get good looks in transition. The Falcons also attacked the offensive glass for 14 second-chance opportunities in the stanza which accounted for 16 points.

Trailing by 18 at intermission, a fired-up Mitchell squad quickly cut into the deficit over the first 2:11 of the second half. McClean scored three hoops during the span and bookended the 11-0 run with layups as the Mariners pulled within seven at 56-49. 

The Falcons weathered the storm, however, and eventually built the lead back to double digits. Lovell and Walters combined to score 25 of AMC's 43 points in the second half. In addition to shooting just under 51 percent for the game, Albertus Magnus held a 52-39 edge on the glass and a 49-18 advantage in bench scoring. 

Brayvon Young came off the bench to hit three three-pointers and finished with nine points for the Mariners. Alan Morgan battled foul trouble all game but handed out nine assists without a turnover in 21 minutes.

Mitchell (1-2 overall) will next play at Coast Guard Academy on Wednesday, December 2 at 7 p.m. Albertus Magnus (2-0 overall) returns to action at home against Norwich University on Tuesday, November 24 at 7 p.m.