WBB Hangs Tough at Regis, Falls 59-51

WESTON, Mass. – Four players scored in double figures for the Regis College women's basketball team in a 59-51 win over New England Collegiate Conference rival Mitchell College on Thursday night at Higgins Court.

Regis extended its regular season NECC winning streak to 64 games while Mitchell's four-game winning streak was snapped with the defeat. The Pride improved to 12-4 overall (10-0 NECC) while the Mariners dropped to 5-10 (5-4 NECC).

The Pride opened the contest with a 10-4 run over the first five minutes of play. Brittany Stone opened the scoring with a layup from under the hoop off an assist from Amanda Hawkesworth, and Emilee Marro converted on a fast break layup to end the run.

The teams traded buckets throughout the first half of play. Regis had its lead cut to two points at the 9:41 mark after Dazjavia Williams made a break down the floor for a lay in to make it 14-12.

The Pride responded by going on a 12-4 run to bump their lead to 26-16, their largest of the first half. Emilee Marro capped the stretch with a steal on the defensive end and then fed Janaya Bradley for a pull-up jumper in the paint.

Mitchell scored the last five points of the final 70 seconds of the half. The key play was a Jessica Shepherd three-point play that pulled the Mariners to within five at the break.

Regis opened the second half with a 9-2 run to pump the lead to 35-23, its largest margin of the contest. The Pride used the three-ball to fuel the run, going 3-for-4 from beyond the arc. Marro accounted for a pair of treys while Teresa Busiek added the other.

The Mariners exploded over the next four minutes with an 11-1 run of their own to cut the Pride lead down to two points, 38-36, with 12:04 remaining. Amanda Garcia was a key part of the run as she scored six points that included a layup to cut the deficit to three. Mitchell trimmed the margin to two after Williams split a pair of free throws.

Over the next six minutes, the Mariners kept themselves in the contest as Shepherd scored seven points. However, Mitchell couldn't make the final push to tie or take the lead in the waning minutes of the contest.

The Pride shot 27 percent for the game while the Mariners checked in at 40 percent, including 52 percent in the second half. Regis also benefitted from going to the free throw line 33 times compared the Mitchell's 16.

The Pride had multiple players score in double digits. Bradley led the way with 15 points while Marro added 13 points, six rebounds and four assists. Hawkesworth recorded her seventh double-double of the season (12 points, 13 rebounds) and Stone completed her eighth straight contest scoring in double figures (10 points).

Garcia scored a game-high 19 points on 9-of-15 shooting to lead the Mariners. Shepherd added 14 points and six rebounds while Williams grabbed 13 boards.

Both squads return to action on Saturday, January 31 when Mitchell travels to Elms College for a 4:00 p.m. showdown and Regis hosts Daniel Webster College at 3:00 p.m.