MBB Loses Slugfest vs. Trinity

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- The Mitchell College men's basketball team lost a shootout against Trinity College on Friday night, 113-91, in the first round of the Eastern Tip-Off Tournament at Geissler Gymnasium.

After Eastern Connecticut State University bested St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn) in the first game of the night, the two in-state opponents battled throughout their high-scoring, hotly-contested matchup in the second semifinal. The game featured 10 ties and six lead changes, although the Bantams pulled away down the stretch. Trinity led by only a point with nine minutes left but outscored the Mariners 34-13 the rest of the way.

Gilbert Otoo led five Bantams in double figures with 27 points while Donald Jorden added 21 points and seven rebounds, and the duo combined to shoot 19-for-29 from the floor. Dana Smith contributed 13 of his 18 points in the second half.

Mitchell (0-2 overall) got 22 points (9-for-13), 11 assists, six rebounds and five steals from Mikey Buscetto and 16 points and six rebounds from Alfonzo Stokes.

The Mariners trailed 52-45 at halftime but scored eight points in the opening minute of the second half to cut the deficit to one. Stokes jumpstarted the scoring with a three-pointer, and following a pair of free throws from Jalen Benson, Buscetto drained a three to make it a 54-53 game.

Mitchell took its first lead of the half on a bucket by Jacob Tully with 16:26 to go, and for the next eight minutes the teams traded blows. The Mariners took their largest lead of the stanza at 78-73 on another three by Buscetto with 10:22 remaining, but Trinity responded with a 21-2 run to take control.

The Bantams shot 60 percent for the game, including 74 percent in the second half. 

Mitchell will next face St. Joseph's in Saturday's consolation game at Eastern. Tip-off is slated for 1 p.m.