MBB Cruises Past Purchase for Sixth Consecutive Win

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Mitchell College men's basketball team earned their sixth consecutive victory on Thursday evening, holding off Purchase College 77-63 in non-conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

It marks the second such streak of at least six games this season for the Mariners, who remained unbeaten at home and improved their record to 16-3 overall. Senior guard Mikey Buscetto (Waterford, Conn.) paced Mitchell with 20 points and six assists, both team-high figures. Fellow senior Alfonzo Stokes (Bloomfield, Conn.) added 16 points, five rebounds, and four steals while Jalen Benson (New London, Conn.) chipped in 11 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Senior Ahmani Browne (St. John's, Antigua) had one of his best all-around games of the season, finishing with eight points, seven rebounds, and three assists in 26 minutes.

Mitchell scored the first six points of the contest and led wire to wire, building their advantage to as much as 26 points midway through the second half after leading by 16 at halftime. The Mariners shot 41.2% from the floor, 39.1% from three-point range, and 70.6% from the free throw line. Mitchell also outrebounded the Panthers 38-36, dished out 17 assists to just 10 by Purchase, and forced 25 turnovers.

Issac Johnson paced the Panthers with a game-high 22 points. Johnson also came down with seven rebounds, while Terrence Mason and Kamar Thomas joined him in double-figures scoring with 10 points apiece.

The Mariners (16-3 overall, 3-0 NECC) are now 7-1 since the start of the new year, and will carry this momentum into their next game; a New England Collegiate Conference showdown with New England College on Saturday, February 4^th, at 2:00 pm. This game will also be senior day for the Mitchell men's basketball team. Purchase (7-13 overall, 2-9 Skyline) will return to conference play when they host the United States Merchant Marine Academy on Saturday, February 4^th, at 12:00 pm.