NEW LONDON, Conn. – A strong second quarter was enough to propel the Lesley University women's basketball team to a 66-58 victory over Mitchell College on Saturday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
Mitchell led 12-9 after the opening period and extended the margin to 18-12 midway through the second quarter. However, a five-minute scoring drought gave Lesley the chance to seize control, and the Lynx answered the bell with 19 straight points. Freshman Linda Wallentine (Monroe Township, N.J.) went off for 10 points during the spurt while junior Theresa Pereira (Hopedale, Mass.) added a pair of threes, and the result was a 33-23 lead for the visitors at intermission.
Lesley led by as many as 16 in the third quarter and carried an 11-point margin into the final stanza. Mitchell cut into the deficit late thanks to a flurry of three-pointers by Alexandra Kolb (Port St. Lucie, Fla.), but the Lynx went 11-for-12 from the line in the final 43 seconds to seal the win.
The Lynx hit 27-of-37 from the free throw line on the afternoon – their most makes and attempts since 2013-2014 – and held a 27-8 in points at the stripe. The victory is the first over Mitchell since January 24, 2011 and the first victory in New London since 2010.
Theresa Pereira (Hopedale, Mass./Mount St. Charles) and Linda Wallentine (Monroe Township, N.J./Monroe Township) each scored a season-high 21 points to lead the Lesley attack. Pereira was a perfect 10-for-10 from the free throw line and added five rebounds. Wallentine shot 7-for-12 from the field and also didn't miss at the charity stripe in five attempts. Dakota Jones (Torrance, Calif./West) rounded out the double-digit scorers for the Lynx with 12 points and a game-high 16 rebounds, notching her eighth double-double of the season.
Alexandra Kolb (Port St. Lucie, Fla./Treasure Cove) paced Mitchell with a season-high 19 points and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds to record her first career double-double. Jessica Shepherd (West Hartford, Conn./Conard) added 16 points while Camille Staggers (New Haven, Conn./Hillhouse) came off the bench to chip in with eight.
The Lynx shot 32 percent as a team and held a 55-40 advantage on the glass. Sophomore Abby Henderson (Rochester, N.H.) contributed to the effort with 10 rebounds.
Lesley (4-9 overall, 3-4 NECC) returns to action at home against Bay Path University on Monday, January 16 at 5:00p. Mitchell (4-10 overall, 4-3 NECC) will next play at Newbury College on Wednesday, January 18 at 7 p.m.
Portions of this release courtesy Mitchell College Sports Information