Big Second Half Pushes MBB Past Colby

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College kicked off the new year with a 92-81 victory over Colby College on Sunday afternoon at the Yarnall Athletic Center. 

Playing for the first time in 24 days, the Mariners scored 56 second-half points to erase a four-point halftime deficit. All five Mitchell starters finished in double figures, with Mikey Buscetto leading the way with 24 points, six assists, five rebounds and three steals. Alfonzo Stokes added 23 points while Jacob Narvaez notched a double-double with season highs of 21 points and 16 rebounds.

Matt Hanna paced Colby (7-6 overall) with 24 points and three assists in the loss. Jack Lawson contributed 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench while Alec McGovern chipped in 10 points.

The Mules led for the majority of the opening half, taking the lead on a jumper by Hanna just 2:10 into the contest and expanding the margin to as many as nine. The Mariners eventually trimmed the deficit down to one on a bucket by Buscetto with 2:19 to play in the half, but Colby held on to lead 40-36 at the break.

Mitchell made up the difference in the early stages of the second half. A 7-0 stretch—capped by a three-point play from Narvaez—gave the Mariners a 51-50 lead with 16:04 to play.

The lead changed hands four more times over the next four minutes, though the Mariners slid in front for good behind back-to-back scores by Robert Zirlis. Later, Benson scored six points to fuel a 10-2 Mitchell run that yielded a 73-62 advantage with 7:35 to go. 

Colby pushed back with an 8-0 spurt to make it a one-possession game. Hanna contributed four free throws during the stretch while Lawson had a dunk and a layup that cut Mitchell's lead to 75-72 with 4:31 remaining.

The Mariners quelled the comeback with baskets on three straight possessions. Narvaez scored twice during the stretch, including a layup that put Mitchell up 81-72 with 2:54 to play.

The Mules pulled to within five at the two-minute mark, but Buscetto responded with a three-point play to keep the Mariners comfortable. Mitchell then went 4-for-6 at the line in the final 41 seconds to close out the victory.

Mitchell's five starters accounted for all 92 points in the contest. Jalen Benson finished with 12 points, eight assists and three steals before fouling out late. Zirlis added 12 points and seven rebounds.  

Narvaez shot a perfect 9-for-9 from the floor. As a team, the Mariners failed to make a three-pointer for the first time all season. 

Mitchell (5-7 overall) will next play at Trinity College on Tuesday, January 11 at 7 p.m.