MBB Clips Salve Regina Behind Big Second Half

NEWPORT, R.I. - Hasani Williams scored 12 of his team-high 18 points in the second half to lead Mitchell College to a come-from-behind 80-70 victory over Salve Regina University in non-league men's basketball action at the Rodgers Recreation Center on Tuesday evening.

Mitchell's starters did the heavy lifting on the night, accounting for all but 14 points on the offensive end. Williams, Steffen Brunson, Matt Finke and Domenico Santiago combined for 43 of the team's 48 points in the second half. The win was the third in a row for the Mariners this season, as well as the fourth straight in the series with the Seahawks.

Williams finished with a game-high 10 rebounds to record his third double-double of the season. Brunson added 17 points, seven assists and six rebounds while Finke shot 4-for-6 from long range and tied a season high with 13 points. Santiago and Connel Henderson rounded out the starting five and chipped in nine points apiece.

Kevin Kelly led Salve Regina (4-6 overall) with a game-high 28 points on 12-for-21 shooting and finished with nine steals. 

Turnovers cost the Mariners in the opening half. Despite shooting 50 percent from the floor as a team, Mitchell netted only 32 points in the stanza due to 16 turnovers. Salve Regina, which committed 12 giveaways of its own, failed to capitalize. However, the Seahawks scored eight of the final 10 points of the half to lead by five at the break.

A three-pointer by Finke got the second half started and sparked a 23-5 run for the Mariners, who also got eight points from Williams and six from Santiago during the stretch. Mitchell pulled in front on a layup by Williams at the 17:39 mark and never trailed again.

The Seahawks countered with an 11-1 run from 10:22 to 8:20, with Mikey Spencer kicking it off with his only trey of the game. The Mariners later answered with an 11-1 run of their own as Brunson contributed a pair of layups.

The visitors enjoyed a 12-point advantage at the free throw line, with Brunson tallying nine of his 17 points at the charity stripe. Landon Peabody, who scored seven points off the bench, went 4-for-6 from the line.

Mitchell (4-3 overall) will next host Anna Maria College on Saturday, December 15 at noon.