Morgan's School-Record 17 Assists Leads MBB Past Dean

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College picked up a 94-86 win over Dean College on Thursday night in New England Collegiate Conference men's basketball action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Mariners tied a season high with 27 assists on 40 field goals. Alan Morgan led the way with a career-high 17 assists, breaking the school's Division III single game record. The 17 assists are also the third-most in a game this season in all of DIII men's basketball.

Hasani Williams led all scorers with 30 points and added 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Domenico Santiago also recorded a double-double with 23 points and 10 boards while Brayvon Young and Steffen Brunson scored in double figures with 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Dayvon Russell led four Bulldogs in double digits with 22 points on 9-for-18 shooting. Jordan Booker contributed 19 points and five rebounds while Josh Croskey had a double-double of 12 points and 12 rebounds. Courie Stevenson came off the bench to add 13 points in 24 minutes.

Mitchell led by as many as nine in the first half before Dean clawed its way back into the game. The Bulldogs whittled the margin down to one on a dunk by Stevenson with 7:16 to go in the stanza, and just over a minute later he added a lay-up that gave the visitors their first lead of the contest.

The Mariners recovered in the final minutes of the half and regained the lead on a three-pointer by Young. Mitchell would never trail again and took a 46-42 lead into the locker room at the break. Williams netted 14 points in the first half to pace the Mariners while Stevenson and Booker each had nine for the Bulldogs.

In the early stages of the second half, Mitchell built the margin to double digits and led by as many as 13 following a basket by Williams with 15:40 remaining. Dean responded once again, this time with a 10-3 run that cut the deficit to 71-68 on a Russell lay-up with 9:59 to play.

Mitchell later countered with eight unanswered points to take control back. Williams started the spurt with back-to-back baskets, and Santiago capped the run with a lay-up that gave the Mariners an 81-70 edge.

Dean rallied to get within six in the final minute but ran out of time. Williams closed out the scoring with a pair of free throws to give him his third 30-point game of the season.

Mitchell (6-7 overall, 2-0 NECC) will next play at Newbury College on Saturday, January 13 at 1 p.m. Dean (6-5 overall, 1-1 NECC) returns to action at home against Southern Vermont College on Saturday at 1 p.m.