NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team extended its winning streak to three games with a 62-40 victory over Lesley University on Saturday afternoon at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Mariners improved to 4-9 overall and 4-3 in New England Collegiate Conference play. Jessica Shepherd led all scorers with 13 points and added five rebounds. Diamond Thomas chipped in with 12 points, seven assists and five steals while Dazjavia Williams recorded her second straight double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.

Jackie Ewing paced Lesley (1-12 overall, 1-5 NECC) with 12 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Grace Amato came off the bench to add 10 points and 10 boards while Kerry Flaherty also contributed 10 rebounds.

Mitchell never trailed after scoring the first seven points of the contest. Amanda Garcia got things started with a jumper and Shepherd followed with a layup and three-pointer inside the opening three minutes. After Lesley cut the deficit back to three behind back-to-back jumpers by Amato, the Mariners outscored the Lynx 20-2 over the next 10 minutes to build a commanding lead.

Mitchell led 36-12 at the break as Shepherd rallied for 12 points in the first half and Thomas finished with 10. Amato scored eight of her team's 12 points in the opening stanza.
The Mariners kept the lead at 20 or more for the majority of the second half. Ewing scored 10 of her 12 points over the final 20 minutes as Lesley outscored Mitchell 28-26. 

As a team, Mitchell finished with a season-high 29 offensive rebounds that led to a 22-10 advantage in second-chance points. Williams grabbed nine of her 10 rebounds off the offensive glass to lead the charge. The Mariners also forced the Lynx into 27 turnovers that resulted in a 27-9 edge in points off turnovers.

Mitchell will next play at Newbury College on Wednesday, January 21 at 7 p.m. Lesley returns to action at Regis College on Wednesday at 6 p.m.