Strong First Half Fuels WBB Past Wheelock

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team picked up its first win of 2018 on Saturday afternoon, topping Wheelock College by a 50-37 final in New England Collegiate Conference play at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Mariners (3-8 overall, 2-1 NECC) used a strong first half to lead by 13 at the break and never let the margin dip below double digits in the second half. Ashleigh Beauford tied a season high with 14 points to lead Mitchell while Marissa Sweeney added a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Wheelock (2-6 overall, 2-2 NECC) shot just 27 percent for the game but got a solid outing from Katie Walsh, who finished with a game-high 18 points to go along with 11 rebounds. Ten of her 18 points came from the line, though she was the only Wildcats player to attempt a free throw in the contest.

Walsh drained the first basket of the game to put Wheelock on top in the opening minute, but Mitchell responded with a 15-0 run and never trailed again. Beauford drilled a pair of three-pointers and contributed eight points during the stretch, which also included a pair of buckets from Jordan Lohneiss and a lay-up by Sweeney.

After going scoreless for nearly seven minutes, the Wildcats recovered with a pair of baskets in the final 2:15 of the period to trail 15-6 entering the second. Sweeney provided Mitchell's first five points of the stanza to push the lead to 20-8, and a late three by Allegra Jones made it 25-12 at intermission.

In the second half, a three by Lohneiss gave Mitchell its largest lead of the game at 30-13 with 6:10 remaining in the third. The Mariners carried a 17-point margin into the final period and never let the Wildcats within striking distance, closing out the game with a 23-9 scoring edge in points off turnovers.

Lohneiss finished with eight points in a starting role while newcomer Dejia Santana came off the bench to add seven. Kate McCormack also chipped in eight rebounds, five assists and four points.

Mitchell will next host Bay Path University on Tuesday, January 9 at 6 p.m. Wheelock returns to action at home against Lesley University on Thursday, January 11 at 7:30 p.m.