WBB Picks Up Big Road Win at Wheelock

BOSTON - The Mitchell College women's basketball team held off Wheelock College down the stretch to post a 51-46 victory in New England Collegiate College play on Wednesday night at Winsor Court.

Senior forward Amanda Garcia finished with a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds as the Mariners won their fifth straight game and improved to 12-8 overall (11-4 NECC). The victory also gave Mitchell a season split against the Wildcats (15-5, 11-3 NECC), who currently sit in second place in the league standings.

Mitchell never trailed in the contest but led only 12-9 after the first quarter. The Mariners then turned up the defensive intensity in the second quarter and held Wheelock scoreless for the entire 10 minutes. The Wildcats, who went 0-for-9 from the floor and turned the ball over nine times in the stanza, trailed 23-9 at the break.

Wheelock trimmed three points off the deficit in the third quarter but trailed 40-28 following a Garcia jumper with 8:38 remaining in the contest. However, the Wildcats scratched their way back into the game in the final seven minutes. A short jumper from the baseline by Gabrielle Haywood kicked things off while Brianna Hochwarter brought the Wildcats within four on a three-pointer from the right corner with 1:53 on the clock.

The two squads went back and forth over the final two minutes as they traded free throws. Wheelock had a big opportunity with 16 seconds left when, after Jaime Grzych made it 50-46 with a layup, the Mariners turned the ball over. On the ensuing offensive possession, strong defense by Mitchell forced a wild jumper, and Garcia came up with a big rebound.

Freshman forward Francesca Pinard joined Garcia in double figures with 10 points. Senior guard Savannah Boyle came off the bench to add eight points while junior Jessica Shepherd chipped in with seven, and senior Diamond Thomas contributed five points, four rebounds, two blocks and two steals.

All five starters for the Wildcats scored at least eight points as Michelle Woods led the way with nine. Katie Walsh had a team-high nine rebounds and Grzych swiped a game-high three steals.

Mitchell will next host Lesley University on Saturday, February 13 at 3 p.m.