WBB Remains Unbeaten in Conference by Taking Down NEC
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
New England Col. (7-9,0-2 NECC) | 19 | 3 | 10 | 18 | 50 |
|
Mitchell (9-8,2-0 NECC) | 17 | 28 | 15 | 11 | 71 |
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team remained unbeaten in conference play, taking down New England College 71-50 on Thursday evening in a physical contest at the Yarnall Athletic Center. With the win, the Mariners climb back over .500 for the first time since late November, improving their overall record to 9-8 and moving to 2-0 in New England Collegiate Conference play. The Pilgrims, meanwhile, dropped their sixth straight game, falling to 7-9 overall, 0-2 in conference play.
Senior Dede Stevenson (Hartford, Conn.) paced the Mariners with a game-high 19 points on 7-11 shooting to go along with six rebounds. She was joined in double-figures by junior Na'Jae White (Hartford, Conn.), who poured in a season-best 13 points, and freshman Jamya Beddoe (New London, Conn.), who finished with 12 points off the bench including three from long range. Amina Wiley (New Rochelle, N.Y.) grabbed 13 rebounds to pace Mitchell, and Sam McKenna (Millbrook, N.Y.) posted another strong box score, tallying nine points, five rebounds, and two assists.
After the Pilgrims took a 19-17 lead into the second quarter, the Mariners found their stride. Mitchell held New England College to just three points in the second frame while exploding for 28 points of their own. Carrying a 45-22 lead into the second half, the Mariners were able to hold off the hard charging Pilgrims, outscoring them 15-10 in the stanza.
New England College used physical play and solid shooting at the free throw line to climb back in, however the deficit was too large to maintain and Mitchell battled to a 21-point victory.
The Mariners shot 40.6% from the floor, 66.7% from the free-throw line, and held the Pilgrims to just 30% shooting. Mitchell forced 30 turnovers which led to 31 points, won the rebounding battle 37-36, and handed out 14 assists compared to just five for the visitors.
Kathleen Rodriguez led New England College with 16 points and eight rebounds, both team-best figures.
The Mariners (9-8 overall, 2-0 NECC) will return to action on Tuesday, January 24th, when they travel across town for a showdown with Connecticut College at 6:00 pm. The Pilgrims (7-9 overall, 0-2 NECC) host Keene State on Monday, January 23rd, at 5:00 pm.