Men's Basketball Opens Season with Win over Salve Regina

MIDDLETOWN, Conn. -- The Mitchell College men's basketball team opened the 2017-18 season with a 70-61 victory over Salve Regina University on Friday night in the opening round of the Herb Kenny Tip-Off Tournament at Wesleyan University.

Hasani Williams posted a double-double of 18 points and a game-high 16 rebounds to lead the Mariners to their first win in a season opener since 2013. Domenico Santiago added 12 points and seven rebounds while Alan Morgan contributed eight points and seven assists. 

Five minutes into the game, Mitchell trailed 10-7 and saw Santiago whistled for two quick fouls to earn a spot on the bench. Williams picked up the slack on the offensive end, scoring eight points during a 10-0 run that put the Mariners in front. He had 12 points in the opening half as Mitchell led 30-16 at intermission. Salve Regina, which netted only one field goal in a 10-minute stretch, shot just 6-for-27 in the stanza.

The Seahawks rallied back in the second half and tied the game at 46-46 on a three-pointer by Michael McCourt with 8:24 to play. He then knocked down a jumper to put SRU ahead on its next possession, although Mitchell's Colizel Lewis quickly answered back with a jumper to put the Mariners back on top. Mitchell never trailed again as Mack Bertram-Gregory and Steffen Brunson each drilled key three-pointers down the stretch. Brunson tallied seven of his nine points in the final 2:34 to help secure the victory.

Mitchell (1-0 overall) will face Wesleyan in the championship game of the Herb Kenny Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday at 3 p.m. The Cardinals posted a 74-61 win over Anna Maria on Friday.