WBB Leads From Start to Finish in Win Over USJ
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
St. Joseph (Conn.) (0-4) | 10 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 55 |
|
Mitchell (1-1) | 17 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 60 |
NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team picked up its first victory of the 2015-16 season by a 60-55 final over the University of Saint Joseph on Thursday night at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
Mitchell never trailed in the contest en route to its first win over Saint Joseph since 2008, snapping a four-game losing streak in the series. Amanda Garcia led all scorers with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting off the bench for the Mariners. Diamond Thomas chipped in with 14 points in a reserve role while starters Jessica Shepherd and Savannah Boyle added 10 points apiece.
Kayla Guest finished with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Blue Jays and record the first double-double of her career. Stephanie DeJesus and Rajeen Mayo also scored in double digits with 14 and 12 points, respectively.
The Mariners scored the first two buckets of the contest and never let the lead slip out of their control. Shepherd scored six points in the opening quarter as Mitchell led 17-10 at the end of the first.
After falling behind by nine midway through the second quarter, Saint Joseph cut into the deficit with seven straight points to make it 27-25 with 1:58 to go in the half. Guest provided two buckets during the stretch while Mayo and DeJesus added the others. However, Boyle knocked down a pair of jumpers before the halftime buzzer to give the Mariners a 31-25 lead at the break.
Mitchell took its largest lead of the night following a pair of free throws by Thomas that made it 39-29 with 3:33 to play in the third. The Mariners, who took a 45-38 advantage into the final stanza, saw their lead trimmed to 53-50 on a three-pointer by Carlee Putnam with 3:13 to go. Mitchell responded with points on its next three trips down the floor, all courtesy of Garcia. Her three-point play with 1:55 remaining capped 7-2 stretch and gave the Mariners an eight-point cushion.
Samantha Ryan pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds in 17 minutes as the Mariners enjoyed a 56-39 edge on the glass. Kate McCormack added seven rebounds and a game-high six assists.
Mitchell returns to action at Regis College on Tuesday, December 1 at 7 p.m. Saint Joseph will next play Worcester State University on Tuesday, November 24 at 7 p.m.
