WBB Stumbles at Eastern Nazarene

QUINCY, Mass. -- The Mitchell College women's basketball team came up on the wrong side of an 84-63 final against Eastern Nazarene College on Wednesday night in a New England Collegiate College clash at the Lahue Athletic Center.

After a promising first quarter, the Mariners (7-11 overall, 0-2 NECC) were outscored in each of the final three periods. The Lions (9-8 overall, 1-1 NECC) forced Mitchell into 27 turnovers, resulting in a 38-15 scoring advantage for the hosts.

The result was quite different from the first meeting between the teams on January 15, a 39-point rout that went in favor of the Mariners. However, ENC played without three starters in that contest, a group that accounted for 49 points in the rematch. Sydni Oviatt led all players with 28 points and added seven rebounds and three assists. Alondra Jiminez also finished in double digits with 16 points and dished out a game-high nine assists.

Amina Wiley paced Mitchell with a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds. Dede Stevenson contributed 13 points and six boards while Yasmine Santos tacked on 11 points and five caroms.

Wiley scored six points in the opening quarter and Sam McKenna chipped in five as the Mariners jumped out to a 15-11 advantage. The tables turned in the second period, as ENC limited Mitchell to only three field goals while pulling in front midway through the stanza.

The Lions, who led 29-25 at the break, used a 17-2 run to start the second half and never looked back. ENC cashed in a trifecta of three-pointers during the stretch and finished the game with 12 total treys.

Oviatt netted 24 of her 28 points in the second half, with 19 coming the fourth quarter alone. She shot 8-for-18 for the game with four threes and was a perfect 8-for-8 at the foul line. 

Mitchell will next play at the University of Maine Farmington on Sunday, February 6 at noon.