WBB Bounces Back vs. Becker

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College picked up a 67-47 victory over Becker College on Thursday evening in a New England Collegiate Conference women's basketball showdown at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Jessica Shepherd and Samantha Ryan each scored 12 points to lead the Mariners (9-12 overall, 9-6 NECC). Shepherd finished with a trio of three-pointers while Ryan grabbed eight rebounds and added a pair of steals. Amanda Garcia chipped in with 10 points to round out the Mitchell players in double figures.

Alycia Dery netted a game- and season-high 17 points and added four steals to pace Becker (1-20 overall, 1-13 NECC). Gabrielle Gallo contributed 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds while Brooke Martel added 10 points and five assists.

The opening 12 minutes were evenly matched as the two teams traded the lead seven times. Becker took its largest lead following back-to-back scores by Marissa Turner and Dery, capping a 7-0 spurt that left the Hawks ahead 19-15 with 8:27 to play in the half.

The lead didn't last long as a three-pointer by Mitchell's Lehayla Cruz sparked a 16-0 run over the next 6:22. Garcia capped the stretch with a pair of free throws followed by a jumper that put the Mariners on top 31-19 with 2:05 remaining.

Mitchell led 34-21 at intermission and shot 5-for-11 from long range in the stanza. Shepherd led all scorers with 10 points at the break. Becker shot an efficient 44 percent from the floor but turned the ball over 15 times.

The Mariners bumped the lead to 17 on consecutive baskets by Shepherd and Garcia to start the second half. Becker eventually trimmed the deficit back to 10 by the 14:08 mark, as a three-point play from Gallo made it a 42-32 game. However, Mitchell never let the margin dip below double digits and coasted to the finish.

Cruz finished with a season-high eight points in nine minutes off the bench for the Mariners. Savannah Boyle also contributed eight points to go along with two assists and two steals.

Becker shot 44 percent for the game while Mitchell checked in at 40 percent. The Mariners made up the difference with significant advantages in both second-chance points (26-4) and points off turnovers (27-12).

Due to a change in the schedule, Mitchell will next host Lesley University on Saturday, February 14 at noon in a contest that has switched venues due to predicted snow for the Boston area. Becker returns to action at home against Bay Path University on Saturday at 1 p.m.