Wheelock Outlasts Mitchell in Shootout, Advances to NECC Semifinals
Chestnut Hill, Mass. - The Wheelock College men's basketball team
survived a tremendous second half from Mitchell College to advance
to the second round of the New England Collegiate Conference
playoffs with a 105-91 win over the Mariners in front of a packed
house at Pine Manor College Tuesday night. The Wildcats will travel
to Chicopee Friday when the team takes on #1 seed Elms College at
6:00 pm, and the loss concludes the Mariners' season.
Wheelock led by as many as 30 points in the first half, but
Mitchell put on a gutsy performance in the second twenty minutes,
clawing to within seven points before the Wildcats put the game
away in the final minutes to win the second of three meetings with
the Mariners this season.
Wheelock got out to one of the fastest starts in program history,
netting 60 points in the first half alone. The Wildcats went on an
incredible 34-5 run, leading by as many of 30 points in the first
half. The team was 23-for-34 from the field, shooting 67% in the
first half alone.
Mitchell returned the favor after the break though, heated up,
out-shooting Wheelock 67% to 41% from the field. A triple by Alex
Vess (Middletown, Conn.) brought the Mariners within seven, but the
Wildcats nailed seven of their last eight free throws to help seal
the victory.
Wheelock was led by Sherard Robbins (Malden, Mass.), who scored a
team-high 25 points and ripped down a game-high 12 rebounds. Kyle
Pierce continued his top play for the Wildcats, scoring 22 points
in a 7-for-9 performance from the field, while sophomore Dan Main
(Hopedale, Mass.) was also in double figures with 17 points while
dishing out six assists. 12 different players lit up the scorebook
for the Wildcats in the win.
Mitchell was led by Jenel Russel (East Hampton, N.Y.), who scored a
game-high 26 points, while three other Mariners were in
double-digits. Mike DePaolo (Asbury, N.J.) hit 22 points, include
five three-pointers, while teammate Eric Murray (Bridgeport, Conn.)
was 7-for-17 for 19 points and a team-leading seven rebounds.
Senior Joshua Witt (New London, Conn.) turned in a double-double
with his 12 points and 11 assists.
Tonight marks the first time the Wildcats have topped the 100 point
mark in their two year history. The outpouring of points eclipses
the old record of 97 points set last week against Southern Vermont
College.
The win improves Wheelock's record to 10-16 on the season, while
Mitchell falls to 8-18 for the year.
