Mitchell Men Fall to Western Connecticut

NEW LONDON, CONN. - The Mariners lost to Western Connecticut State University in a non-conference home game on Thursday evening, 83-76.  Junior forward Eric Murray (Bridgeport, Conn.) had a strong overall performance in the loss with 31 points, six rebounds, and six assists.

The Colonials found success with a balanced scoring effort, as they had four players in double-figures.  Dashon Jennings (Bridgeport, Conn.) led WCSU in scoring netting 17 points, and freshman guard Daquan Brooks (Bristol, Conn.) chipped in with 16 points and six boards.  Rounding out the double-figure scoring for the Colonials were Dewayne Dickens (Danbury, Conn.) and David Addy (Manchester, Conn.) who scored 14 and 12 respectively.

Junior guard Mike DePaolo (Asbury, N.J.) contributed with 20 points, while sophomore center Jenel Russell scored 12 points in the home loss for Mitchell.

Both teams battled in the first half of play, as the score was tied six different times, and no team had more than a six point led until there was 3:35remaining in the first half.   Western then went on a 10-0 run to close the first half leading 40-29.

Western Connecticut was able to keep a healthy lead in the second half, until the Mariners went on a 16-9 run starting at the 5:39 mark.  Jenel Russell made a lay-up and cut the lead to four points with only 38 seconds left in the game.  The Colonials iced the game at the free throw line, going 8-for-8 in the last minute of play.

The loss drops Mitchell  to 4-7 overall and 0-2 in the NECC.  The Mariners are back in action on Saturday, January 17^th when they host Wheelock College at 2pm.