NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's basketball team won the regular season rubber match against New England College by an 80-72 final on Saturday afternoon in New England Collegiate Conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Alfonzo Stokes netted a game-high 25 points to lead the Mariners (14-10 overall, 3-2 NECC) and also added six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Jalen Benson finished with 18 points, nine boards, six steals and four assists while Ahmani Browne contributed 12 points, nine caroms and three blocks.

Jamal Allen led three Pilgrims in double figures with 17 points and chipped in four rebounds and two assists. Calvin Cheek ended with 16 points, six boards, four blocks and two steals while Alex Williams came off the bench to supply 16 points and seven rebounds. NEC dropped to 11-12 overall (4-2 NECC).

The Mariners jumped out early lead behind a swarming defense and the solid offensive play of Stokes. After a pair of steals by Benson yielded Mitchell's first two buckets, Stokes took over and scored 10 straight points to put his team up 14-4. Benson then added the next six points as the Mariners extended the margin to 20-6 with 13:25 left in the half.

NEC trailed by as many as 16 before buckling down and working its way back. Williams played a key role as a spark off the bench, hitting a pair of threes and scoring 13 points in the final 13 minutes of the stanza. The Pilgrims whittled the deficit down to seven by the end of the half and trailed 46-39 at the break.

NEC eventually pulled even at 49-49 just minutes into the second half. Later, a three-pointer by Allen gave the visitors their first lead at 57-54 with 14:26 remaining.

A three-pointer by Mikey Buscetto and a jumper by Jacob Narvaez put Mitchell on top 65-60 with 11:44 to play. The Pilgrims responded with seven straight points to retake the lead with 7:27 to go.

Mitchell grabbed the lead for good on a layup by Buscetto with 4:12 left in the contest. After neither side managed a field goal over the next 2:30, Benson came away with a critical steal in the back court and converted a layup to give the Mariners a three-point cushion.

Mitchell made free throws down the stretch to secure the victory, ending the game on a 7-0 run. 

For the game, the Mariners shot 34 free throws and outscored the Pilgrims 25-15 at the charity stripe. 

Mitchell will wrap up regular season play at Eastern Nazarene College on Monday, February 21 at 4 p.m.