WBB's Streak Snapped at JWU

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team saw its win streak snapped at Johnson & Wales University on Thursday night, falling 80-48 in non-conference action.

Mitchell dropped to 14-9 overall while Johnson & Wales improved to 22-2. The Wildcats entered the contest ranked fifth in the latest NCAA regional rankings.

JWU took control of the game midway through the first quarter. After Toshina Jessamy hit a jumper at the 4:19 mark to pull Mitchell within 12-8, Bobbie Whitehead started an 8-2 run with a pair of jumpers. Kristen Habbel nailed a three-pointer with 17 seconds left in the quarter to put JWU up 23-12.

Johnson & Wales cranked up the defense in the second quarter as it limited the Mariners to just six points. Ashley Thompson started the quarter with a pair of jumpers and Raquel Pederzani nailed a pair of buckets to close the stanza as JWU went into the locker room leading 41-18.

For the second time in three games, the Wildcats had five players in double figures, led by Pederzani's game-high 15 points. Habbel and Savannah Kresge were next with 13 each while Thompson followed with 12 and Whitehead added 11.

The Wildcats dominated inside with a 44-25 rebounding advantage. Thompson grabbed 10 boards for her seventh double-double of the year. Jordan Neylon came off the bench to snare a season-high 10 rebounds as well. JWU also had an edge for second-chance points (18-6) and points in the paint (22-14).

The Mariners had a pair of players in double figures as Amanda Garcia and Diamond Thomas tossed in 11 each. Jessamy came off the bench to score eight points.

Mitchell will close out the regular season with a home date against Becker College on Saturday, February 20 at 1 p.m. Prior to the game the Mariners will honor six seniors in a special ceremony.