NEW LONDON, Conn. – Wheelock College never trailed en route to a 55-41 victory over Mitchell College on Wednesday night in New England Collegiate Conference women's basketball action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
Michelle Woods led all scorers with 20 points and added 12 rebounds and four assists as Wheelock (11-10 overall, 9-5 NECC) salvaged a series split with the Mariners and took over sole possession of fourth place in the conference standings. Jaime Grzych chipped in with a season-high 16 points while Simone Ngongi added seven blocks.
Amanda Garcia led the Mariners (8-12 overall, 8-6 NECC) with 13 points while Ashleigh Beauford came off the bench to contribute a season-high 10 points. Mitchell shot just 26 percent from the floor in the contest and went 1-for-14 from three-point range.
Both teams came out cold to start the game, though the Wildcats jumped out in front and clung to a small lead over the opening 10 minutes. Four of Wheelock's first five field goals came from beyond the arc, with Woods supplying a pair that yielded a 16-11 lead with 11:23 to play.
The Mariners trailed 18-15 following a jumper by Beauford with 8:20 to go, but it would be their final field goal of the half. Wheelock outscored Mitchell 14-1 from that point on, with both Grzych and Woods each providing a pair of baskets during the stretch. Mitchell missed its last 12 shot attempts of the half and went into intermission facing a 32-16 deficit.
Mitchell's offense picked up in the second half but not enough to make up the difference. Wheelock led by double digits the rest of the way as Grzych and Woods each added eight points in the second stanza and Ngongi recorded five of her seven swats.
Mitchell will next host Becker College on Thursday, February 12 at 5:30 p.m. Wheelock returns to action at Southern Vermont College on Saturday, February 14 at 1 p.m.