WBB Edges Dean in Final Minute

FRANKLIN, Mass. -- Mitchell College got back on the winning track on Saturday afternoon at Dean College, hanging on for a 63-57 victory in New England Collegiae Conference women's basketball action at Pieri Gymnasium.

Amina Wiley converted a clutch three-point play with 30 seconds remaining as visiting Mitchell swept the season series with Dean. The win kept the Mariners (10-6 overall) in a tie for first place in the league standings at 9-1, while Dean (6-1 overall) slipped to 4-6 in conference play.

Mitchell led for large portions of the game as the Bulldogs fought to keep up. Dean tied the game on several occasions in the third period, including when Iindia Pina dropped in a three-pointer before the period ended, sending the game into the fourth quarter tied at 46-46.

After Kelsey Hernandez nailed a three-pointer of her own, Dean saw itself trailing 51-46. The Bulldogs responded, however, by scoring eight of the next 10 points. Makayla Rudder completed a conventional three-point play, Alexis Ford provided an inside hoop and Nicole Romero drilled a three-point bomb to give Dean a 54-53 advantage.

The lead was short lived, as Kate McCormack and Wiley had baskets for the Mariners, giving them a 57-54 edge.

The game was tied again a few minutes later when Pina splashed another triple with 3:19 left, but the Bulldogs never scored again. After Wiley provided the go-ahead hoop, Mitchell salted the game away by making three of four free throws in the final 11 seconds.

Although Dean forced 34 Mitchell miscues, the Mariners controlled the interior with a 41-18 edge on the glass and a 36-22 advantage on points in the paint.

Wiley turned in a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds, while Hernandez led the team with 17 points. Le'Sandra Turner racked up 12 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

Pina led all scorers with 26 points on an extremely efficient 9-for-17 effort from the field, while Jamaya Cleveland totaled six points, four assists and 10 steals. Romero, meanwhile, came off the bench to score 15 points in just 26 minutes.

Mitchell will next host New England College on Tuesday, January 22 at 6 p.m.