NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Mitchell College men's basketball team won their eighth consecutive game on Monday night, blowing past Fitchburg State 85-66 in non-conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
It marks the second time this season in which the Mariners have a winning streak of eight games, having also gone unbeaten from November 12th to December 7th, before seeing their streak come to an end on the road against Connecticut College. The eight game winning streak is the longest for the Mitchell men's basketball team since the 2013-2014 season when the Mariners reeled off nine straight victories on route to a 19-8 overall record.
Alfonzo Stokes (Bloomfield, Conn.) poured in game-high figures of 22 points (7-14 shooting) and seven rebounds for the Mariners, who shot 50% from the field, 73.7% from the free throw line, and had four players score in double-figures.
Fellow senior Mikey Buscetto (Waterford, Conn.) came one assist shy of a double-double, finishing with 15 points (6-11 shooting), nine assists, and three steals, while sophomore Wilton Causey (Worcester, Mass.) came off the bench to contribute 12 points, and Ahmani Browne (St. John's, Antigua) added 11.
The Falcons were able to match the Mariners energy early on, scoring the first basket of the game before jumping out to a six-point lead with six minutes gone by. As has been the case all season for the Mitchell men, they proceeded to regroup and go on a 13-6 run to pull ahead, a position they would remain in for the remainder of the contest.
The Mariners carried an eight-point edge into halftime and saw that trimmed to just three after Tyrone Manderson sank a jumper with 14:34 on the clock. The home team then peeled off five consecutive points for some breathing room, before making it a 10-point game minutes later on a Causey free throw. Causey scored all 12 of his points in the second half, while Buscetto dished six of his nine assists in the frame as well. The Mitchell lead grew to as large as 22 points in the waning moments, as the Mariners remained undefeated on their home court this season, improving to 12-0 at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
Quincy Taylor led the Falcons with 14 points on 5-6 shooting, while Dayne Allen and Manderson chipped in 12 points apiece. Allen also finished with 10 boards for a Fitchburg State team which was held to just 18.2% from beyond the arc.
The Mariners thrived in transition, forcing 16 turnovers, dishing out 23 assists, and scoring 23 fast break points. The Falcons won the rebounding battle 35-33, however Mitchell's offense was stronger inside, as they finished with 42 points in the paint to just 32 for the visiting team.
The Mariners (18-3 overall, 4-0 NECC) will look for their ninth win a row when they play their final home game of the regular season on Wednesday, February 8th, against Bryant & Stratton (Albany) at 6:00 pm. Fitchburg State (8-12 overall, 3-5 MASCAC) return to conference play on Wednesday, February 8th, hosting Salem State.