WBB's Streak Snapped by Wentworth

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College had its four-game winning streak snapped by Wentworth Institute of Technology on Saturday afternoon, 61-53, in non-conference women's basketball action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Leopards, who picked up their first win of the season, opened the game with a 10-2 run and never trailed. Erin Morton finished with a game-high 18 points and added five rebounds, four assists and three steals. Stephanie Mini also scored in double digits with 17 points and grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.

Kelsey Hernandez paced Mitchell with 17 points and seven rebounds while Amina Wiley chipped in 11 points and eight boards. The Mariners shot just 35 percent from the floor and went 1-for-13 from long range.

After jumping out to the early lead, the Leopards eventually built the margin to as many as 15 in the second quarter following a three-pointer by Francesca Matira. However, the Mariners closed out the half strong, scoring 11 unanswered points to whittle the margin down to three at 29-26 by the halftime buzzer.

A bucket by Wiley on Mitchell's first possession of the second half cut the deficit to one, and moments later Kate McCormack tied the game at 29-29 on a free throw. The Leopards responded with seven straight points to regain control as Mini connected on back-to-back buckets and Sam McGibbon drilled a three-pointer.

Each time the Mariners got close the Leopards had an answer. A steal by Wiley led to a fast-break layup for Jessica Lohneiss with 3:07 left in the third that brought Mitchell to within four, but on the ensuing possession Mini dropped in a trey to stretch the lead back to seven.

Wentworth led by eight entering the fourth quarter and saw the margin shrink to six with 7:03 to go. However, another three by McGibbon and a jumper by Michelle McCloskey brought the lead back to double digits, and Mitchell never got within striking range over the final 5:00.

Wentworth shot 7-for-20 from beyond the arc. All nine of McGibbon's points came from downtown.

Mitchell (5-4 overall) will next host Albertus Magnus College on Friday, January 4 at 6 p.m. Wentworth (1-10 overall) returns to action at Roger Williams University on Thursday, January 3 at 5:30 p.m.