NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's basketball team rallied from a 15 point second half deficit on Wednesday evening, knocking off Trinity College 86-77 to remain undefeated this season at the Yarnall Athletic Center. The victory was the first time in program history that the Mariners defeated the Bantams, and improved Mitchell's overall record to 12-3 on the season. Trinity, meanwhile, lost for just the third time this winter, but for the second consecutive game, as they fell to 14-3 overall.
The Bantams had no answer for Mitchell guard Mikey Buscetto (Waterford, Conn.), as the senior finished with 31 points on 12-20 shooting, to go along with nine assists, two rebounds, and three steals. The 31 points was both a game-high and a season-high for Buscetto, who also made four shots from long range in the game. Alfonzo Stokes (Bloomfield, Conn.) and Jalen Benson (New London, Conn.) each scored 15 points for the Mariners, with Stokes also dishing out six assists and Benson tallying six rebounds and five assists of his own.
After Mitchell took an early four-point lead, Trinity answered by putting together a 12-0 run to gain control. They maintained their advantage until a Buscetto three off a Benson assists gave the Mariners a one-point lead with 7:47 remaining in the opening half. The Bantams proceeded to close the first half on a 24-11 run and made their way to the locker room up 42-30.
The Mariners eventually trimmed the deficit to single-digits on a layup by senior Jacob Narvaez (Miramar, Fla.) six minutes into the second half. With just under nine minutes left on the clock Buscetto nailed back to back baskets to make it a three-point game, but Trinity answered and was able to maintain their slim advantage. Mitchell finally tied the game when Buscetto sank a jumper with just over five minutes on the clock, but Trinity's Sean Okpoebo responded with a jump shot of his own to put the visitors back ahead.
A layup by Robert Zirlis (Clinton, Conn.) and a pair of three-throws by Buscetto gave Mitchell their first lead since the opening half with 3:51 left in the game, and that was a lead the Mariners did not relinquish. Key baskets in the waning minutes by Buscetto, Stokes, Benson, Dontae Pollard (Fort Walton Beach, Fla.), and Zirlis helped Mitchell push their lead to as large as 11, before coming away with the nine-point win.
The Mariners shot 51.6% from the floor and 70.8% from the free-throw line, while handing out 11 more assists than Trinity and forcing 21 turnovers. That led to 32 points off turnovers for the home team, who also scored 23 fast break points and won the battle down low, outscoring the Bantams 40-32 in the paint.
Gilbert Otoo paced Trinity with a team-best 21 points and also came down with eight rebounds. He was joined in double-figures by Henry Vetter's 13 points and 10 from Dana Smith. Smith also tallied a game-high 11 rebounds.
The Mariners (12-3 overall, 1-0 NECC) will next play on Saturday, January 21st, when they travel to face New England College in their second New England Collegiate Conference matchup of the season a 2:00 pm. Trinity (14-3 overall, 2-1 NESCAC) returns to conference play on Saturday when they host Wesleyan University at 3:00 pm.