WBB Cruises Past Wentworth in Season Opener

NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team opened the 2021-22 season in style, besting Wentworth Institute of Technology by a 66-44 final on Saturday afternoon at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Mitchell's Amina Wiley led all players with 23 points, 17 rebounds, four assists and three steals in 32 minutes of action. Le'Sandra Turner added 14 points, nine boards and four assists while Alexia Watson chipped in nine points. 

Abriana Busbey came off the bench to lead Wentworth with 14 points and five rebounds. The Leopards shot just 27 percent from the floor and went 6-for-27 from three-point range.

The Mariners got off to a slow start and fell behind early, as a three-pointer by Kayla Kelley put the Leopards on top 14-8 with just under four minutes left in the opening quarter. However, a jumper by Sam McKenna got Mitchell rolling, and Jermia Dumas closed the stanza with a pair of buckets to tie the score at 14-14 after one.

The hosts pulled in front for good on a basket by Wiley in the second quarter. Mitchell later took its largest lead of the half following a three-point play by Wiley that made it 25-19, but Wentworth stuck close and trailed by only five at intermission.

The Mariners found their stride in the second half, shooting 48 percent from the floor while outscoring the Leopards 35-18. Mitchell used a 14-0 run that straddled the third and fourth quarters to bust the game open, with Wiley supplying six points during the stretch. She netted 14 of her 23 points after the break.

Mitchell shot 41 percent for the game despite going just 2-for-20 from long range. However, the Mariners dominated the paint, outscoring Wentworth 34-12. 

Mitchell (1-0 overall) will next host Dean College on Wednesday, November 10 at 5 p.m.