NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's basketball team defeated Lehman College by a final score of 81-61 on Friday night in the opening game of the Cadet-Mariner Classic tournament at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Alfonzo Stokes (Bloomfield, Conn.) poured in a game-high 19 points for the Mariners, who have now won three consecutive games after dropping their season opener. The senior guard added four rebounds and four assists, while Jalen Benson (New London, Conn.) added 17 points and four steals. Robert Zirlis (Clinton, Conn.) scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Mitchell, senior Mikey Buscetto (Waterford, Conn.) dished out 10 assists, and Jacob Narvaez (Miramar, Fla.) came off the bench to contribute 10 points and seven rebounds.

The Mariners cruised to a 44-37 lead after the opening half, but the Lightening battled back and trimmed the deficit to just three when Will Feldman's jump shot made it a 52-49 game with 13:09 remaining. Mitchell regained control, using an 18-6 run over the ensuing six minutes to pull ahead and never look back.

Feldman paced Lehman with 16 points and he was joined in double-figures by teammate Juan Fernandez, who chipped in 10. Feldman also handed out a team-high seven assists.

Mitchell shot a higher percentage than the Lightening from the floor (44.3%-38.1%), from three-point range (33.3%-27.3%), and from the free throw line (66.7%-63.6%). The Mariners also grabbed 10 more rebounds than their opponent, tallied 13 more assists, turned the ball over seven fewer times, and made Lehman pay consistently, scoring 20 points off those turnovers.

Following the win for the Mariners, the Coast Guard Academy Bears took to the floor of Yarnall to face the Bears of St. Joseph University (Brooklyn). USCGA routed St. Joseph's 75-44 behind a 12 point, 12 rebound double-double by big man Bryce VanderWiere.

The second day of the Cadet-Mariner Classic will be held on Saturday, November 19, at the Coast Guard Academy. The Mariners (3-1) will take on St. Joseph's (1-2) at 1:00 pm, while USCGA (1-3) battle Lehman (1-2) at 3:00 pm.