Mariners Drop Mountaineers

Mitchell College defeated Southern Vermont College in the opening game of the women's basketball season. The following information comes from Mitchell College sport information director David Longolucco:

The Mitchell College women's basketball team opened its conference slate with a 63-42 victory over Southern Vermont College on Saturday afternoon at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Senior Alix O'Neil (New London, Conn./New London) netted a game-high 18 points to lead the Mariners (3-2 overall, 1-0 NECC). She also finished with 10 rebounds to record her third double-double in the last four games. Classmate Allison Peck (Colchester, Conn./Bacon Academy) added 14 points while sophomore Jordan Ringwood (New Haven, Conn./Hillhouse) contributed a game- and career-high 12 rebounds.

Southern Vermont (2-6 overall, 0-2 NECC) was led by Joa Claircius (Clermont, Fla./East Ridge) and Kourtney Hewitt (Bennington, Vt./Mount Anthony Union). Claircius netted a team-high nine points on 4-of-9 shooting while Hewitt added seven points and a team-high nine rebounds. Kiara Bates (Washington, D.C./Calvin Coolidge) also chipped in with seven points and six rebounds off the bench for the Mountaineers.

Mitchell never trailed in the game after getting off to a hot start. Sophomore Kaylee Cerruto (Torrington, Conn./Torrington) nailed a three-pointer on the opening possession and Peck followed suit the next time down the floor to give the Mariners a quick 6-0 lead.

Mitchell blew the game open during a 10-minute stretch midway through the stanza. Leading by eight with 14:06 left to play in the half, the Mariners ripped off a 19-3 run to take command. Southern Vermont shot only 1-for-10 from the field and committed nine turnovers during the stretch.

Mitchell led by as many as 26 points in the first half and took a 40-16 lead into the locker room at the break. The Mariners played an efficient brand of basketball in the half, shooting 44 percent from the floor and turning the ball over only five times. O'Neil and Peck combined for 23 of the team's 40 points while Claircius paced the Mountaineers, scoring all nine of her points in the opening half.

The Mariners cooled down in the second half but never saw their lead threatened. Mitchell, which committed a season-low 12 turnovers in the contest, turned 26 Southern Vermont turnovers into 23 points.

Mitchell will next host Connecticut College on Monday, December 13 at 7 p.m. Southern Vermont returns to action at Rivier College on January 6.