WBB Falls in Clash of Conference Unbeatens

NASHUA, N.H. – In a battle of conference unbeatens, the Mitchell College women's basketball team saw its four-game winning streak snapped by a 79-44 loss at Daniel Webster College on Thursday night at Mario Vagge Gymnasium.

Sarah Paternostro notched the first triple-double by a Daniel Webster women's basketball player in more than 10 years with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists while Alycia Gervais added her eighth double-double this season with game highs of 22 points and 14 rebounds. Vanessa Bosques finished with 20 points and pulled within 13 of the 1,000-career point milestone and Tonisha Tate chipped in with eight points and four rebounds in just eight minutes of action. The Eagles (13-2 overall, 6-0 NECC) won their 12th straight game and remained perfect in NECC play. 

Sophomore Kaylee Cerruto paced the Mariners (8-5, 5-1 NECC) with 14 points and four assists, while junior Bianca Young added nine points and five boards. Freshman Nina Giansanti chipped in with seven points.

The Eagles were consistent from the field all night, finishing 51-percent overall while Mitchell struggled to hit on 27-percent including a tough 10-minute scoreless stretch that included the final six minutes of the first half and opening four minutes of the second. The Eagles also kept the ball moving, combining for 23 assists for the second straight game, and dominated inside including rebounding (57-26), points in the paint (44-24) and second chance points (17-9).

DWC trailed by as many as five (11-6) just under four minutes in after a Cerruto three, but answered with a 10-0 run over a span of just 2:18 sparked by two treys from Bosques.

A Giansanti jumper cut the lead to one (24-23) with 6:10 remaining in the first, but Mitchell went ice cold missing its final eight shots which allowed the Eagles to gain some breathing room. Gervais went to work inside converting four layups while Tate pushed home two in the paint, and DWC took a 36-23 lead into the break.

Mitchell's shooting woes continued in the opening four minutes of the second as the Mariners missed on their first seven tries. DWC completed what would prove to be a 23-0 run with an 11-point charge keyed by seven points from Bosques that opened up a 47-23 advantage with 15:57 to go.

A Giansanti jumper ended the drought for Mitchell with 15:18 left but the Eagles followed with the next 11, ending with a Gervais inside move for a 58-25 lead. The hosts never let Mitchell closer than 35 down the stretch.

Mitchell next visits Lesley University in a NECC matchup on Monday, January 24 at 8:00 p.m.