WBB Can't Keep Up In Second Half Against DWC

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Daniel Webster College used a strong second-half effort to remain undefeated in NECC women's basketball play in a 73-56 victory over Mitchell College on Saturday afternoon at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Eagles (18-2 overall, 11-0 NECC) trailed by four at halftime but opened the second half with a 19-2 run to take control for good. Vanessa Bosques netted a game-high 17 points and pulled down nine rebounds to lead the Eagles. Kirsten Murphy added 15 points while Alyssa Regan contributed 10 points and seven boards.

Senior Alix O'Neil led four Mariners in double figures with 15 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Classmate Marjorie Oliveira chipped in with a career-high 12 points off the bench, and junior Bianca Young and sophomore Kaylee Cerruto added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Mitchell looked good in the first half, forcing 11 turnovers and shooting 48 percent from the floor. The Mariners got a big boost from Oliveira, who entered the game averaging just under three points per contest. She hit a pair of three-pointers in the half and scored 10 points in eight minutes.

Daniel Webster stayed in the game thanks to big contributions from its bench, which scored 20 of the team's 31 points over the first 20 minutes. Murphy had nine points in five minutes in the half to pace the Eagles.

The Mariners took a 35-31 lead into the locker room at the break after hitting a pair of treys in the final minute to go ahead. But Daniel Webster came out with a vengeance in the second half, forcing Mitchell into bad shots and hurried turnovers. The Mariners shot just 1-for-9 to open the half and committed five turnovers. Conversely, the Eagles hit their first three shots of the half to regain the lead and never looked back. 

Daniel Webster held a commanding 48-26 advantage on the glass and outscored Mitchell 26-7 on second-chance opportunities. The Eagles shot 42 percent for the game and went 16-for-19 from the free throw line.

Mitchell will next host Lesley University on Tuesday, February 8 at 7 p.m.