NEW LONDON, Conn. – Mitchell College came away with a 72-58 victory over Newbury College on Tuesday night in a New England Collegiate Conference women's basketball showdown at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

The Mariners (11-12 overall, 11-6 NECC) picked up their sixth win in seven games as Amanda Garcia led all scorers with 20 points, 12 of which came in the second half. Jessica Shepherd shot 6-for-8 from the free throw line to finish with 11 points while Dazjavia Williams added 10 points on Senior Night.

Jovanna Sandifer paced Newbury (7-16 overall, 6-10 NECC) with 18 points and drilled four three-pointers in the contest. Janetis Cardona netted 12 points despite being saddled with foul trouble while Destiny Spears and Katelyn Roeser each added 11 points. 

Savannah Boyle gave the Mariners a quick 5-0 lead with a three-pointer and a jumper in the opening 53 seconds. Mitchell remained in front until an old fashioned three-point play from Spears gave the Nighthawks their first lead at 13-12 with 12:28 to go in the half.

Neither team led by more than four points for the rest of the stanza. Spears scored all 11 of her points in the first half while Sandifer added eight, including a three-pointer in the final minute that tied the game at 33-33 heading into the locker room at intermission.

The Mariners scored the first 13 points of the second half to seize control. Garcia contributed three baskets during the stretch while Shepherd chipped in with a three-pointer and a pair of free throws. Mitchell never looked back and outscored Newbury 39-25 over the final 20 minutes.  

Mitchell will close out the regular season at Becker College on Saturday, February 21 at 3 p.m. Newbury returns to action at Southern Vermont College on Thursday, February 19 at 8 p.m.