MBB Makes it Four in a Row by Defeating Pratt

BROOKLYN, N.Y. – The Mitchell College men's basketball team scored the first six points and rolled to a 65-52 victory over the Pratt Institute on Wednesday evening in a non-conference game at the Activity Recourse Center.

Despite shooting just 36% from the field the Mariners dominated on the glass, out rebounding the Cannoneers 50-30, while also handing out 10 more assists than the home team. Mitchell was also 8-11 from the free throw line, made seven shots from three-point range, and received 16 of their 65 points from the bench.

Senior guard Alfonzo Stokes (Bloomfield, Conn.) led the offensive charge, scoring 21 points and pulling down six rebounds. Fellow seniors Jalen Benson (New London, Conn.) and Mikey Buscetto (Waterford, Conn.) finished with 12 points apiece in the victory. Benson also had season-best 11 rebounds and five assists, while Buscetto tallied eight assists and five boards.

The Mariners went up early and led from wire to wire, carrying a 34-26 lead into halftime. Pratt was able to trim the deficit to five multiple times down the stretch, however the Mariners displayed great resilience, responding each time to keep Pratt at bay. With the score 59-49 and 1:20 remaining, Mitchell closed on a 6-0 run, getting free throws from Benson and a layup by Stokes to seal out their fourth straight victory.

Cameron Hatcher led all scorers for the Cannoneers, pouring in 19 points and grabbing seven rebounds. Daniel Golub joined him in double-figures with 11 points and four rebounds on 4-9 shooting.

The Mariners (14-3 overall, 2-0 NECC) return to conference play on Saturday, January 28^th, hosting Eastern Nazarene College at 1:00 pm. The Pratt Institute (5-15 overall) return to action on February 2^nd, when they host the College of Mount Saint Vincent.