MBB Opens New Year with Win at Conn

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Mitchell College men's basketball team started the new year with a 77-71 victory over Connecticut College on Tuesday night in non-conference action at the Luce Fieldhouse.

Mitchell (3-10 overall) has won six of its last seven meetings with the Camels, including the last four visits to Luce Fieldhouse dating back to 2014. Matt Finke led the charge with a season-high five three-pointers and finished with 18 points. Jacob Tully came off the bench to add 17 points and six rebounds while Leonard Williams chipped in 11 points and a career-best seven assists. Hasani Williams rounded out the Mariners in double figures with 10 points and also grabbed a team-high nine boards.  

Conn's Daniel Draffan led all scorers with 20 points and 11 rebounds. The Camels shot a blistering 53 percent for the game but turned the ball over 18 times to Mitchell's nine. It marked the second straight game that the Mariners have committed fewer than 10 turnovers.

The teams played to a 31-31 deadlock in the first half and kept things tight throughout the second. Neither side led by more than four until the final minute, and the lead changed hands nine times before the Mariners pulled in front for good on a pair of Marvin Baker free throws with 1:54 to go. Finke then drained his final three of the night to give Mitchell a five-point cushion with 55 seconds remaining, and the visitors closed out the game by hitting eight free throws to keep the Camels at bay.

Mitchell will open New England Collegiate Conference play on Saturday, January 11 when it hosts New England College for a 2:30 p.m. tip.