WBB Comes Up Short at NEC

HENNIKER, N.H. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team wrapped up the regular season with a 72-62 loss to New England College on Saturday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference action at Bridges Gym.

The Pilgrims, who secured the second seed for next week's NECC Championship, moved to 19-6 overall and 12-2 in conference action. The Mariners dropped to 15-10 overall (10-4 NECC) and will be the third seed.

Amina Wiley led the Mariners with 22 points, 13 rebounds and five steals on the day. Kelsey Hernandez and Leilani McClellan added 11 points apiece. NEC's Rene Hudson led all scorers with 25 points. 

NEC jumped out fast, running out to a 10-0 lead in the opening 3:19. The Pilgrims also closed out the quarter with a 14-2 run to lead 24-9 after one. Mitchell made a run in the second quarter and closed the gap. The Mariners outscored NEC 21-15 in the period and trailed just 39-30 at the half. 
 
The second half began with both teams trading baskets, but with three minutes gone in the quarter, NEC enjoyed a 7-0 run that was capped off by a Samya Robinson three-pointer. The teams then continued to match baskets, but back-to-back buckets by Kayla Ramsay and Asia Jones gave the Pilgrims a 59-45 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
 
The Mariners tried to make a comeback in the final stanza but were thwarted by a NEC squad that limited them to one-shot possessions. The Pilgrims, who gave up just six offensive rebounds all game, eventually built the lead to as many as 18 (69-51) with 5:12 remaining. 

Mitchell will host sixth-seeded Elms College in the first round of the 2020 NECC Women's Basketball Championship on Tuesday, February 25 at 7 p.m.