WBB Outlasts Elms in OT

CHICOPEE, Mass. - Mitchell College junior Alix O'Neil scored six of her team's 14 points in overtime to give the Mariners the 81-73 win in Saturday's New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) women's basketball game at Picknelly Arena.

Elms guard Christina Korney drained a three-pointer with less than a second remaining in regulation to send the game into bonus time tied at 67-67. With the win, Mitchell improved to 10-10 overall, 10-4 in NECC play, while the Blazers dropped to 8-15 on the season, 7-7 in the NECC.

Carolyn Talmadge dished out seven assists for the Blazers and became the program's all-time assists leader with 225 helpers. The record was previously held by Michelle Fernandes, who totaled up 220 assists from 2004-08.

Trailing 65-61 with 48 seconds remaining in regulation, Elms pulled within two following a tip-in by Jessica Jurkowski. Mitchell then led 65-64 with seven seconds remaining when sophomore Destiny Harris connected on a pair of free throws to give the Mariners a three-point advantage. The Blazers went the length of the floor before Talmadge fed Korney for the dramatic game-tying three-pointer, capping off a 17-point second half comeback.

O'Neil scored five points, including a three-point play in the first 1:39 of overtime, to open up a 72-67 lead for the Mariners. Talmadge's lay-up with 3:07 to go in the extra frame cut the lead to 72-69.

Mitchell would receive outstanding free throw shooting, as it went 5-for-6 from the line over the final 1:07 of overtime to secure the 81-73 victory. The impressive performance from the foul line was highlighted by senior Jennifer Iglesias, who went 4-for-4 from the stripe in overtime.

Junior Brittany Smyth's three-pointer with 18:52 remaining in the second half gave Mitchell its biggest lead of the game at 40-24. The Blazers would respond with an 8-1 run over the next 1:25. The run included five points from Talmadge as she went 2-for-2 from the line and added a three-pointer. Annie Dunnack's layup with 16:15 to go in the second frame brought Elms within eight, cutting Mitchell's lead to 41-33.

The Mariners regained a double-digit lead on a three-pointer by freshman Kaylee Cerruto 5:58 into the second half giving Mitchell a 45-34 lead.  Elms would once again answer as Talmadge's three-pointer and Katie Condon's layup cut the lead to 45-39 with 12:18 left in regulation.

Leading by six, Mitchell went on a 13-5 run over the span of 4:08. The run was capped off with a three-point play by Harris which gave the Mariners a 58-42 lead with 7:57 to go in the second half.

The Blazers would answer with a 13-2 run that brought them within five with 3:49 to go in regulation. Dunnack's pair of free throws cut Mitchell's lead to 60-55.

Trailing 62-57 with 3:12 to go in regulation, the Blazers would go on a 12-5 run to close out the second half.  A tip-in by Condon and a jumper by Dunnack cut Mitchell's lead to 62-59.  Condon would hit another jumper with 2:05 to go to make it a 62-61 game.

Iglesias made one of two free throws, and Harris connected on two from the line to give Mitchell a 65-61 lead with 1:02 remaining in regulation. The Blazers would score six of the final eight points of the second half, including Korney's near buzzer-beating three-pointer to send the game into overtime.

Dunnack scored a team-high 18 points, while Jurkowski added 15 of her own for Elms in the overtime loss. Korney scored 14 points while Talmadge and Condon both added 13 points.

In the win, Harris earned a double-double with a game-high 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Iglesias contributed 20 points and six assists of her own. O'Neil reached double figures as well with 13 points and pulled down six rebounds in the Mariners' winning effort.

Mitchell will play its final non-conference game of the season on Monday, February 15 at Coast Guard. Game time is slated for 7 p.m.