NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team picked up a 71-67 victory over Newbury College on Thursday night in New England Collegiate Conference action at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Senior Kaylee Cerruto notched her second double-double in as many weeks with 17 points and a career-best 12 assists to pace the Mariners (5-16 overall, 5-10 NECC). Catherine O'Connell and Katie Haney each netted 14 points to lead Newbury (12-10 overall, 10-5 NECC).

The first half was close throughout, with neither side taking a lead of more than five points. Mitchell led 19-15 following a jumper by freshman Casey Davis with 10 minutes remaining, but Newbury responded with a 9-2 run to pull ahead. After the Mariners scored the next six points to snatch away the lead, Alex Pezzella nailed a three-pointer to put the Nighthawks back in front for the rest of the half.

Newbury scored nine of the last 11 points of the half to take a 35-30 lead into the break. O'Connell had a double-double by intermission with 11 points and 13 boards while freshman Amanda Garcia had eight points and seven rebounds to lead Mitchell.

Newbury upped the margin to seven on the opening possession of the second half, but Mitchell refused to give in. The Mariners battled back to tie the game at 44-44 following a jumper by junior Kate Mulloy with 13:43 remaining. After a three-pointer by Katelyn Roeser put the Nighthawks back up by three, Mitchell reeled off an 11-1 run to take control. Cerruto fueled the run with five points as the Mariners went ahead 55-48 with 8:12 to go.

Mitchell pumped the lead to as many as 14 points with 3:02 to play, but Newbury made a final push to get back into the game. The Nighthawks closed the gap to single digits on lay-up by Fredricks with 2:23 left and later pulled within six following a made free throw by Silvia with 47 ticks on the clock. The Mariners made free throws down the stretch to keep it a two-possession game and held on for the victory.

Mitchell shot 35 percent for the game and forced 27 turnovers on defense. Garcia finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds to post her sixth double-double of the season. Mulloy chipped in with 13 points and eight rebounds while freshman Diamond Thomas added 12 points.

Newbury held a 56-45 advantage on the glass and shot 37 percent from the floor. O'Connell finished with a game-high 20 rebounds and also rejected three shots. Pezzella, Elyse O'Connell and Nicole Silvia each added nine points in the defeat.

The NECC has postponed all weekend games due to Winter Storm Nemo. Mitchell will next play at Southern Vermont College on Monday, February 11 at 5 p.m. Newbury returns to action at home against Lesley University on Monday at 6 p.m.