Quick Start Propels WBB Past Elms

NEW LONDON, Conn. – A big first quarter propelled Mitchell College to a 68-56 victory over Elms College on Saturday afternoon in a New England Collegiate Conference women's basketball showdown at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Amina Wiley and Sam McKenna scored 21 points apiece to lead the Mariners, who improved to 6-7 overall and 2-1 in league play. Wiley also grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds and added a pair of steals. Le'Sandra Turner turned in a solid day with 12 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and four steals.

Lashaunte White paced Elms (4-10 overall, 1-3 NECC) with 15 points on 5-for-9 shooting. Regina LeBlanc also finished in double figures with 12 points.

Wiley and McKenna each scored 11 points in the opening quarter as Mitchell jumped out a 24-14 advantage and never looked back. McKenna connected on all three of her attempts from long range while Wiley shot 5-for-7 from the floor. 

McKenna continued with the hot hand in the second period, scoring seven of the Mariners' 11 points. She tallied 18 points in the first half as Mitchell led 35-26 at the break.

Elms pulled within six midway through the third quarter, but that would be as close as the Blazers would get. Turner helped build the lead back up with eight points in the period, and Leilani McClellan added eight of her 11 points in the final quarter as the Mariners cruised to victory. 

Mitchell will next play at Dean College on Tuesday, January 14 at 6 p.m. Elms returns to action at Bay Path University on Tuesday at 8 p.m.