Santos Dominates as Women’s Basketball Holds Off WCSU

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Senior forward Yasmine Santos (Pawtucket, R.I.) recorded her fourth double-double in as many games to begin the season, scoring 28 points and grabbing 22 rebounds, as the Mitchell College women's basketball team held off Western Connecticut State University 68-61 on Wednesday afternoon in non-conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The victory marked the first time that the Mitchell women were able to defeat WCSU, having previously posted an 0-6 record in the Division III era of the program.

Santos added three assists and one steal, while shooting 20-24 from the free throw line, which included knocking down nine of 12 free throws in the final quarter. The 20 free throws made by Santos were a Division III era program record, as were the 24 free throw attemps.

Freshman guard Inonda Peterson (Houston, TX) was the only other Mariner to finish to double-figures scoring, notching her first collegiate double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore Kyrsten Lucas (Manchester, MD) chipped in nine points off the bench, and senior Lyliana Daly (Englewood, N.J.) added six points and eight rebounds for Mitchell, who were able to snap a two game losing skid.

After the Wolves took the first quarter by a score of 19-14, the Mariners battled back in the second stanza, and took the lead with 1:53 left until the half when Peterson knocked down a pair of free throws. Lyliana Daly would add a layup before the intermission, and the home squad entered the break with a 31-28 advantage.

The Mariners would maintain their edge in the third quarter despite WCSU coming within three points on three separate occasions. Mitchell's lead would grow to as large as 10 in the frame when Daly converted a layup with just over two minutes on the clock, but a free throw and two baskets trimmed the Wolves deficit to six entering the fourth quarter.

WCSU continued to put pressure on the Mariners, remaining within striking distance and eventually knotting the score 52-52 when Nicole Peralta drilled a three pointer at the 4:56 mark. Free throws by Daly and Santos pushed Mitchell back ahead by three, but another three ball by Rosaleen Regan made it a tie game once again at 55-55 with four minutes left.

The Wolves then took their first lead since late in the second quarter when Malaysia Dingle connected from downtown 30 seconds later. Following a Mitchell timeout, Kyrsten Lucas knocked down a jumper to make it a 58-57 game, until a free throw by Alyssa Virtue put WCSU back on top by two. Moments later, Santos was fouled and went 1-2 at the line, before an Inonda Peterson basket gave the Mariners then lead once again with a minute and 30 seconds left in the game.

With just under a minute on the clock, Dingle would make a layup, switching the edge back to the Wolves by one point, but Santos again drew a foul, this time with 43 seconds left, and went 2-2 from the stripe, putting Mitchell ahead for good.

Nicole Vivian and Malaysia Dingle scored 14 points apiece for the Wolves, while Vivian also recorded a double-double by adding 10 rebounds. Alyssa Virtue added eight points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal for WCSU.

Despite shooting just 25.4% from the floor, Mitchell was strong from the free throw line, going 28-37, as compared to just 6-14 for the Wolves. The Mariners were also able to force 20 turnovers and won the rebounding battle 51-36.

The Mariners (2-2, 0-0 GNAC) will return to action following the Thanksgiving break when they travel to play Salve Regina University in a non-conference game on Tuesday, November 28th, at 7:00 pm. The Wolves (1-4, 0-0 LEC) also jump back into action on Tuesday, November 28th, traveling within the state to battle the University of Saint Joseph.