WBB Nabs First-Ever Win Over Conn College

NEW LONDON, Conn. – A shorthanded Mitchell College women's basketball team dug in on defense late to post a 52-46 victory over Connecticut College on Monday night at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Mariners (6-4 overall) picked up their first-ever win against their New London neighbors, snapping a streak of 14 straight losses that dated back to the 2005-06 season. Dede Stevenson led all scorers with 19 points, 11 of which came in the second half. Alexia Watson also finished in double digits for Mitchell with 12 points, all from beyond the arc.

Conn (2-9 overall) was paced by 11 points from Rebecca Oberman-Levine. Jaycie Rojik chipped in 10 points and six rebounds while Aislinn McMahon contributed eight points and 10 boards. 

The game was a tight affair, as both sides battled for good looks most of the night. Neither team led by more than six at any point, and the contest featured five ties and four lead changes.

Watson kept the Mariners close in the first half, burying three treys to lead all scorers with nine points in the stanza. A three-pointer by Stevenson at the halftime buzzer pulled Mitchell to within one at 26-25.

Watson drained her fourth and final triple of the night on the opening possession of the second half to give Mitchell a two-point lead. Later in the period, Catie Donadio put the Camels back on top with a three that made it 34-32, but Stevenson quickly responded with a three of her own. 

A fast-break bucket by Le'Sandra Turner gave Mitchell a slim 39-37 advantage entering the final quarter. The Camels tied the game at 41-41 with 6:59 to go, but Stevenson fired right back with a drive and layup to give the Mariners the lead for good.

A pair of free throws by Yasmine Santos put Mitchell up six with 46 seconds remaining. McMahon made things interesting by drilling a three to cut the deficit in half, but Mitchell went 3-for-4 at the line in the final 14 seconds to seal the victory.

Mitchell played with only seven players and saw its starting lineup of Turner, Stevenson, Santos, Watson and Tianna Sweeney log heavy minutes. The Mariners shot 40 percent as a team and finished with a season-high eight makes from long range. 

Conn finished the game with 15 assists on 19 field goals. The Camels shot just 30 percent from the floor and went to the foul line only four times.

Mitchell will close out the first semester with a home game against Albertus Magnus College on Saturday, December 18 at 1 p.m.