Women’s Basketball Tames AMCATS to Collect First GNAC Win

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Sophomore Jamya Beddoe (New London, Conn.) poured in a career-high 22 points, including three fourth quarter three-pointers, to power the Mitchell College women's basketball team past Anna Maria College 75-65 on Tuesday night in GNAC action at the Yarnall Athletic Center. The victory is the first on the season in conference play for the Mariners, while the AMCATS drop to 3-7 against GNAC opponents.

Senior Yasmine Santos (Pawtucket, R.I.) notched her 15th double-double in 17 games this season, finishing with 26 points and 15 rebounds, both game-high figures. Santos added four steals, three assists, and one block, while fellow senior Alexia Watson (Stamford, Conn.) chipped in 10 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Senior Lyliana Daly (Englewood, N.J.) added 10 points, nine rebounds, and three steals for the Mariners, who shot a season-high 42.9% from three-point range.

The Mariners started slowly and trailed by seven points at the end of the first quarter and by 10 early in the second frame after Gina Parmenter knocked down a three-pointer to push the AMCATS ahead 21-11. The Mariners then ripped off a 21-9 run and took a 32-30 lead when Beddoe converted on a layup with 3:40 remaining before halftime. Anna Maria proceeded to tie the game, then take a lead, before Mitchell jumped back ahead on a basket by Alexia Watson, but a pair of free throws in the final seconds by Arianna Gonzalez sent the AMCATS to the locker room with a narrow 37-36 edge.

The third quarter began with two minutes of scoreless play before Lyliana Daly and Yasmine Santos made back to back baskets to swing the lead back in favor of Mitchell, 40-37. The Mariners were able to maintain their advantage through the end of the stanza, and entered the final quarter on top 56-50. A three-point play by Santos began the fourth and gave Mitchell a nine-point lead. Seven straight points by the AMCATS followed which trimmed the deficit to two and the victors looked poised to make a run, but a pair Beddoe three-point baskets in the span of a minute allowed the Mariners to jump ahead by six points as the quarter reached the midway point.

With 4:12 on the clock, Santos made a layup, which was answered immediately by Anna Maria's Marinique Reddin. Santos and Reddin then traded baskets once again, and Mitchell led 69-63 as the clock ticked under three minutes. Anna Maria looked ready to turn the tide when Reddin knocked down a jumper with 2:27 on the clock to make it a four-point game, but once again it was Beddoe who answered the call, this time coming out of a timeout from downtown to ice the game.

Reddin paced the AMCATS with 21 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks. Gina Parmenter filled the stat sheet to the tune of 20 points, seven rebounds, five steals, four assists, and three blocks, while Arianna Gonzalez and Arianna Saladini added 10 points apiece.

Mitchell held Anna Maria to just 28.1% from beyond the arc and won the rebounding battle 50-31. The Mariners also outscored the AMCATS 32-22 in the paint and forced 18 turnovers, which in turn lead to 21 points.

The Mariners (3-14, 1-8 GNAC) will look to make it two wins in a row when they travel to New England College for a conference showdown on Saturday, February 3rd. The AMCATS (8-11, 3-7 GNAC) return to play on Thursday, February 1st, with a non-conference game against Fitchburg State.