NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College raced out to a 16-4 over the first eight minutes of play on their way to a 62-40 victory over Lesley University this afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference action. The win improves the Mariners to 4-9 on the year and 4-3 in NECC play while the Lynx drop to 1-12 on the season and 1-5 in conference games.

Mitchell sophomore Jessica Shepherd (West Hartford, Conn.) scored seven of the Mariners first 16 points on her way to a game-high 13 points. Senior Dazjavia Williams (Waterbury, Conn.) recorded a double-double with ten points and ten boards while junior Diamond Thomas (Hartford, Conn.) filled the stat sheet with 12 points, seven assists, five steals, and four rebounds. Fellow junior Amanda Garcia (New Britain, Conn.) grabbed a game-high 12 caroms to go with her six points.

Lesley junior Jackie Ewing (Hong Kong) led the Lynx with 12 points and finished a rebound shy of a double-double as the corralled nine boards. Senior Grace Amato (Sharon, Vt.) came off the bench to record her second double-double of the season with ten points and ten rebounds. Freshman Kerry Flaherty (Woburn, Mass.) matched a career-high with ten boards as she chipped in with five points. Classmate Kelsey Lynch (Rumford, R.I.) added seven points and eight rebounds for the Lynx.

The Mariners turned their defense into offense as they caused 27 Lynx giveaways that turned into 27 points for the hosts. Mitchell also held a 60-48 edge on the glass and used 29 offensive boards to take advantage of 22 second chance points.

After struggling in the opening twenty minutes, the Lynx came out stronger in the second half and outscored their hosts 28-26. Lesley shot just 22-percent in the first, but improved to a 32-percent clip in the second stanza.

The Lynx will return to action on Wednesday when they head to Regis College at 6:00p. Mitchell will also hit the hardwood again on Wednesday as they travel to Newbury College at 7:00p.