Slow Start Costs MBB in Season Opener vs. NYU

BIDDEFORD, Maine -- The Mitchell College men's basketball team tipped off the 2019-20 season on Saturday night with an 81-73 loss to New York University in the opening round of the Hampton Inn Jim Beaudry Classic.

Hasani Williams paced the Mariners with game highs of 17 points and seven rebounds while Matt Finke added 16 points and a team-high five assists. Brendan Miller and Alfonzo Stokes each added nine points in their Mitchell debuts. Miles Somerville led four NYU players in double figures with 17 points.

An early 10-0 run gave NYU a 12-2 advantage after just 4:21 of play. The Violets extended the margin to 31-13 by the 10-minute mark and coasted to a 44-33 lead at the break. 

The margin was still double digits midway through the second half before the Mariners clawed back to within 55-51 following a pair of free throws from Ahmani Browne. That would be as close as the Mariners would get, however, despite outscoring NYU 40-37 in the stanza.

Mitchell will face former conference foe Regis College in Sunday's consolation game of the Beaudry Classic. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.