Green Mountain College Defeats Mitchell in Crusader Classic Final
QUINCY, MASS. - Green Mountain College defeated Mitchell College, 82-73, in the championship game of the Eastern Nazarene College Crusader Classic. The Eagles had three players score in double-digits, and as a team shot 54.5% from the field. The Mariners were led by sophomore post player Jenel Russell (East Hampton, N.Y.)who scored 23 points, had seven rebounds, and four thefts in the loss.
The first half was evenly played by both squads with neither team leading by more than six points, and the game was tied six different times. Mitchell was able to secure a two point advantage at the half. Green Mountain used a 22-13 run in a seven minute span in the second half to pull away from the Mariners and take an 11 point at the 11:25 mark. The Mariners battled back and were able to reduce the deficit to two points with 3:39 remaining in the game. Sharp shooting from the free throw line by the Eagles (7-8) in the last two minutes of the ball game secured their fourth win of the young season.
Fabian Ferreira (Queens, N.Y.) led Green Mountain to victory with 24 points while shooting 7-11 from the floor, 3-4 from long distance, and 7-8 from the free throw line. Travis Debreaux (Baltimore, Md.) contributed 19 points and seven boards, and Herley Pellew (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added 15 points and five rebounds in the win.
Joining Russell with double digit scoring for the Mariners were Eric Murray (Bridgeport, Conn.), Mike DePaolo (Asbury, N.J.), and Josh Witt (New London, Conn.). Murray nearly missed recording a double-double with 16 points and nine boards, and DePaolo chipped in 15 points. Witt contributed from his guard position with 10 points and seven assists.
The loss drops Mitchell to 2-4 on the season, while the Eagles of Green Mountain College improve to 4-1. The Mariners return to the hardwood on December 8th for an 8:00 pm road game at City College of New York. Green Mountain will host St. Joseph College (VT) on December 10th at 7:00 pm.
