MBB Rallies Past SUNY Maritime

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Mitchell College men's basketball team overcame a nine-point halftime deficit to win their home opener, 78-65 over SUNY Maritime on Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center. 

Senior Alfonzo Stokes (Bloomfield, Conn.) led all scorers on the day with 20 points, while fellow senior Jacob Narvaez (Miramar, Fla.) came off the bench to add 17. Senior Jalen Benson (New London, Conn.) and sophomore Wilton Causey (Worcester, Mass.) joined them in double-figures with 11 and 10 points respectively. Benson added five rebounds, three assists, and four steals, while Causey grabbed seven boards. Senior Mikey Buscetto (Waterford, Conn.) filled the stat sheet to the tune of six points, six assists, and five steals.

Theo Noble paced the Privateers with a team-best 14 points. Tyler Anderson and Amadou Kouyate each added 11 for Maritime, who dropped their first game of the season.

The Privateers came out strong, using a 13-0 run midway through the first half to build a nine-point lead at the break. The Mariners made the necessary halftime adjustments, clamping down on defense and using a 13-0 run of their own to tie the game then wrestle control from the visiting squad. Mitchell led by as many as 16 down the stretch, and offensive contributions by nine players allowed the Mariners to bounce back from an opening night loss and pick up their first victory of the season.

Mitchell shot 59.6% from the field, 42.9% from three, and 73.1% from the free throw line. The Privateers shot 43.9% from the floor, 41.2% from long range, and 80% from the charity stripe. The Mariners also outrebounded Maritime 24-22 and won the assist battle, 16-11. The Privateers turned the ball over 22 times compared to just 19 times for the home team.

Mitchell (1-1) will return to the floor on Tuesday, November 15, when they host Dean College at the Yarnall Athletic Center at 6:00 pm. SUNY Maritime (2-1) will return home and welcome CCNY to Riesenberg Gymnasium on Monday, November 14, at 7:00 pm.