WBB Races Past Elms, Remains Unbeaten in NECC

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team pulled away behind a big third quarter to post a 71-53 victory over Elms College on Tuesday night in New England Collegiate Conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Amina Wiley turned in a strong performance with 24 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and two blocks to pace the Mariners, who improved to 6-5 overall and 5-0 in league play. Le'Sandra Turner also filled up the stat sheet with 16 points, six assists, three steals and two blocks, and Marissa Sweeney came off the bench to add 11 points and six boards.

Regina LeBlanc led Elms (6-6 overall, 2-3 NECC) with 11 points and six rebounds. Nikki Orsaris chipped in eight points and five assists off the bench.

The Mariners opened the game with six straight points and never trailed at any junction. Turner and Wiley each netted eight points in the first half to lead all scorers as Mitchell led 32-22 at the break.

The Mariners sped up the game in the second half as Turner set the tone, pushing the pace in transition to create easy scoring chances. Mitchell opened the half with a 17-1 run over a six-minute stretch that resulted in a 49-23 lead. The Blazers, who didn't record a field goal until Samantha Lynes buried a three with 3:46 to go in the stanza, recovered late to trim the deficit to 53-35 heading into the final period.

The Blazers clawed back to within 12 points late in the fourth but never got any closer. Wiley, who was tabbed NECC Rookie of the Week on Monday, netted 16 points in the second half to close out the victory.

Mitchell shot 41 percent from the floor and held big advantages in both points in the paint (40-10) and fast-break points (18-2). The Mariners also shot 10-for-11 from the free throw line on the night.

Mitchell will next play at Lesley University on Thursday, January 10 at 6 p.m. Elms returns to action at home against Newbury College on Thursday at 7 p.m.