WBB Drops NECC Opener at Regis

WESTON, Mass. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team opened New England Collegiate Conference play with a 73-43 loss at Regis College on Tuesday night.

Powered by Amanda Hawkesworth's second double-double of the season, the Pride picked up their fourth straight win and improved to 4-1 on the season. Hawkesworth was a force in the paint as she compiled 16 points and 11 rebounds. She tallied 12 of her 16 points in the first half on a 5-of-7 shooting performance. Mikayla Murphy had a solid game running the point as she chipped in a season-high 13 points and four steals while dishing out four assists.

Freshman guard Kate McCormack and senior Diamond Thomas led the Mariners (1-2 overall) with nine points apiece. Freshman Francesca Pinard added eight points off the bench and grabbed four rebounds.

The game was a back-and-forth affair through the first quarter of play as the teams traded baskets. Pinard cleaned up the missed layup and went up strong, finishing high off the glass to give the Mariners an 8-6 advantage with 2:05 left in the period. Regis responded on the next possession when Maura Russell nailed a three-ball from Alyssa Lanpher to put the Pride in front for the first time. Mitchell ended the quarter with layups by Garcia and Thomas to lead 12-9 after one.

Regis opened the second stanza on a 16-3 run capped off by a layup from Mikalya Murphy to give the Pride a 25-15 lead with 4:40 left in the half. The Crimson and Gold outscored the Mariners 23-9 in the period and led 32-21 at intermission. 

Mitchell cut the deficit to seven points in the third quarter following a pair of Thomas free throws with 3:20 left. Regis rallied with a 20-4 run over the next six minutes of play into the final quarter, extinguishing any hope of a Mitchell comeback.

Shannon Hayes scored 11 points and corralled six rebounds for the Pride. Abby Cuddy went 4-for-4 from the field and scored eight points to go with three rebounds in six minutes of play.

Mitchell returns to action at Elms College on Saturday, December 5 at 3 p.m.