Mariners Sink Wildcats in NECC Women’s Hoops Action

01.22.2009

Author: Nicole Soucy, Senior Writer, Bay Path College

The Wildcats of Bay Path College fell 72-37 to the Mariners of Mitchell College in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) women’s basketball action on Thursday, January 22. Wildcats’ junior forward Jessica Hunt of Madison, CT, NECC Player-of-the-Week, led all players with 21 points shooting 62 percent (8-of-13) from the field. Hunt also added seven boards, two blocks and three steals.

The Mariners’ sophomore guard Brittany Smyth of Winsted, CT topped her team with 16 points, nailing two of her four shots from behind the arc. Smyth shot 58 percent (7-of-12) from the field while pitching in two steals, one block and one assist. Three other Mariners put up double figures for the conference outing. Sophomore Guard Alix O’Neil of New London, CT added 13 points, six rebounds, six steals, three assists and one block.

Mitchell took full advantage early on of Bay Path’s ball-handling converting 34 of their points off of the Wildcats’ turnovers. Bay Path succumbed to 34 turnovers compared to Mitchell’s minimal 14 turnovers. Mitchell notched 18 steals to Bay Path’s three for the game.

Under the boards, Bay Path stayed close pulling down 28 rebounds, out hustling Mitchell on the defensive glass with 23 rebounds to their 20 defensive rebounds.

Bay Path’s sophomore guard Kat Begin of Weare, NH finished with eight points while fellow guard senior Sarah Wright of Canterbury, NH added six points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Mitchell is now 5-7 on the season and leading the NECC at 4-0, while Bay Path falls to 3-11 overall and 1-4 in conference play. The Wildcats will be back in action on Saturday, January 24, traveling to Bennington, VT to face Southern Vermont in round two of NECC play. The game will tip-off at 1:00 p.m.