#13 Elms Too Much for Mariners
NEW LONDON, CONN. - The 13th ranked Elms College Blazers cruised to a 92-62 victory over Mitchell this afternoon at the Yarnall Athletic Center. Juan Galdon (Holyoke, Mass.) and Antoine Holder (Hartford, Conn.) led Elms with 16 points apiece. For the host Mariners, Matt Bindner (Milford, Conn.) and Jenel Russell (East Hampton, N.Y.) each netted 13 points.
Mitchell was able to keep the game close throughout the first half, as Elms never led by more than 10 points. The Mariners went into the intermission down by five points, 40-35, as Bindner and Russell hit two free throws each within the last minute of play.
Eric Murray (Bridgeport, Conn.) hit a jumper at the 12:30 mark of the second half to cut the lead to nine points, but that was the last time that Elms would lead by less than double digits. In the next six minutes, the Blazers would go on a 24-6 run to blow the game open. Joe Esile (Milford, Conn.) hit a three-pointer with less than seven minutes to play that put the score at 77-50, and they never looked back.
Elms had 14 players get into the scoring column, and their pressure defense forced 32 Mitchell turnovers. Holder had 10 points to go along with his 16 points, and Ronald Thomas (Chicago, Ill.) chipped in with 11points.
Mitchell's Russell had 10 boards to compliment his 13 points, and Murray would finish with 10 points and 7 rebounds.
The loss drops Mitchell to 8-11 overall and 4-6 in conference play, while Elms improves to 18-1 overall and 8-0 in the NECC. Mitchell is back in action on Tuesday, February 10th when they host the Camels of Connecticut College for a 7:00pm tip-off.
