MBB Holds Off Lesley on Senior Day

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's basketball team persevered for an 87-81 victory over Lesley University on Saturday afternoon in a New England Collegiate Conference clash at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Mariners took command behind an 8-0 stretch in the second half and held off a late comeback by the Lynx to secure the victory. Jalen Benson paved the way with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists to lead Mitchell. Jacob Tully netted 13 points to go with eight boards, and Alfonzo Stokes and Robert Zirlis came off the bench to contribute 12 points apiece.

Gabe McCrary finished with a game-high 28 points on 12-for-21 shooting to pace Lesley (2-17 overall, 0-4 NECC). Davion Fields and Malachi Howard each chipped in 18 points while Marco Powells added 10. Howard also recorded a double-double with a game-high 17 rebounds. 

Neither team led by more than four in the opening 14 minutes of the contest. After a pair of free throws by Wilton Causey tied the game at 24-24 with 6:01 remaining, Mitchel pulled in front behind an 11-3 spurt to take its biggest lead of the half. 

Lesley, which went nearly four minutes without a field goal, got a boost from McCrary to finish the half strong. He scored all nine of the Lynx's points in the final 2:32 of the period, including a three-pointer in the waning seconds to give the visitors a 38-37 lead at the break.

The game remained tight in the second half, with the lead changing hands three more times. A basket by Benson at the 8:51 mark put Mitchell in front for good, but it wasn't until later that the 8-0 run provided some breathing room. Zirlis supplied a pair of buckets during the span, which was capped by a layup from Stokes that made it 72-63 with 5:59 to go.

After falling behind by 10 with 2:59 left in the game, the Lynx made one last charge. A tip-in by Howard and four straight free throws from Fields cut the deficit to 81-77 with 1:28 to play, but Mitchell held on late thanks to a jumper by Ahmani Browne, free throws from Benson and a layup by Stokes.

Prior to the game, Mitchell honored three players in a special Senior Day ceremony. Tully, Hunter Baillargeon and Tyler Peretz all got the starting nod. Baillargeon finished with nine points and three assists while Peretz had one rebound.

Mitchell (12-10 overall, 2-2 NECC) will next host Rhode Island College on Monday, February 14 at 6 p.m.