Men’s Basketball Comes Up Just Short Against Albertus

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's basketball team battled back but fell just short against Albertus Magnus College on Wednesday night, dropping a 74-69 decision to the Falcons in a GNAC showdown at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Junior Jaylyn Clardy (Pensacola, Fla.) poured in a game-high 27 points for the Mariners, including 16 in the second half. Clardy added eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals, while fellow junior Robert Zirlis was the only other Mitchell player to finish in double-figures scoring, adding 12 points and eight rebounds. Freshman Elijah Miller (Ellington, Conn.) chipped in nine points and eight rebounds off the bench, while junior Kenny Lewis (Orlando, Fla.) produced eight points of his own, also off the bench.

The Mariners jumped out to a 7-1 lead out of the gate, before Albertus countered with eight straight points to take a 9-7 advantage with 15:37 left in the opening half. The rest of the first stanza was a back and forth affair which featured five ties and five lead changes, as the Falcons were able to carry a one-point edge into the intermission.

After more back and forth play began the second half, Albertus appeared poised to pull away, jumping ahead 63-50 when Antonio Bonilla converted on a basket and foul shot with 10:54 remaining. Mitchell then ripped off an 11-0 run, trimming the deficit to three points after Clardy knocked down a triple at the 7:35 mark. A free-throw and a basket for Albertus pushed the visiting squad ahead 66-61, but with 5:38 remaining Elijah Miller knocked down a three-pointer to make it a two-point game, 66-64. The two teams then traded baskets, before Miller made it a one-point game, 68-67, when he went one for two from the free-throw line with two and a half minutes to go.

Following a free throw and a made basket by Albertus, the Mariners found themselves down by four with under a minute on the clock, but against Clardy came up big, collecting a steal and finishing on a layup to make it a 71-69 game. Albertus then called a timeout, and Bonilla and Jeyson Slade converted on free throws in the waning seconds to ensure the Falcons remained undefeated on the season in conference play.

Bonilla, a senior, paced the Falcons with 23 points and added four rebounds. Senior Justice Washington was a force all game in the paint, finishing with 19 points, 16 rebounds, and four blocks, while fellow senior Kevin Crawford recorded a double-double off the bench with 19 points and 11 rebounds. Crawford added five steals for Albertus, who shot 41.2% from long range and outrebounded Mitchell 55-36. The Mariners shot 37.5% from the floor, were just 3-13 from downtown, and were 17-28 from the free-throw line.

The Mariners (3-10, 1-2 GNAC) will look to right the ship when they return to conference play with a road game at Regis College on Saturday, January 13th, at 1:00 pm. The Falcons (11-3, 4-0 GNAC) will look to stay perfect in conference play when they travel to Saint Joseph's College (ME) on Saturday, January 13th.