Garcia Nets 1,000th Point in Win at Becker

LEICESTER, Mass. - Mitchell College senior Amanda Garcia tallied her 1,000th career point as the Mariners defeated Becker College, 55-48, in New England Collegiate Conference women's basketball action Sunday afternoon at the Leicester Gymnasium.

The Mariners (7-7 overall, 6-3 NECC) were paced by Francesca Pinard with a team-high 12 points. However, it was Garcia who provided the spark in the second half, netting all 11 of her points off the bench. Chelsea Newman gathered 11 boards for the visitors.

The Hawks (3-12 overall, 2-6 NECC) were led by Tanaisha Espino with a game-high 17 points. Ciara McKissick finished with nine points, five assists and 11 boards. Gabrielle Gallo chipped in with 10 points and nine rebounds while Adrianna Dowdy added eight points, nine boards and five assists.

Neither team led by more than five points in the first half, which ended with the score deadlocked at 24-24. Becker pulled out to an early lead to start the third quarter and increased the margin to 34-27 midway through the stanza. Mitchell responded with eight of the next nine points to tie the game at 35-35 with 2:28 to go in the period. 

Garcia reached the milestone just over a minute later, draining a jump shot and a free throw for an old-fashioned three-point play. She then capped the quarter with another jumper to put Mitchell in front for good, and Tiana Edwards added a layup in the closing seconds to make the lead 42-38 after three. 

Mitchell pushed the lead to double digits in the final quarter as Garcia added four more points to her career total. She becomes the second Mitchell women's player to surpass 1,000 career points, joining Jen Iglesias '10.

Becker returns to the court on Tuesday, January 26 at Daniel Webster College for a 5:30 p.m. tilt. Mitchell will next host Regis College on Thursday, January 28 at 6:00 p.m.