NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team came up on the short end of a 53-52 final against Western Connecticut State University on Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference showdown at the Yarnall Athletic Center.
A free throw by Ashley Rilley with 4.4 seconds remaining proved to be the difference. Mitchell had a chance for the win at the buzzer, but a long three-point attempt by Dede Stevenson was off the mark.
Rilley and Jasmine Caldwell each scored 10 points to lead WestConn, which improved to 3-2. The visitors shot just 29 percent from the floor but made up for it at the free throw line, finishing 16-for-18 at the charity stripe.
Mitchell's Amina Wiley led all players with a season-high 29 points and grabbed nine rebounds. Le'Sandra Turnercontributed nine points, nine boards and two steals before fouling out in the fourth quarter.
In a game that was tight from tip to finish, neither team led by more than six as points were hard to come by. Wiley kept Mitchell close early with 10 points in the opening quarter, but WestConn led by two heading into the second period. However, the Mariners bounced back for a 16-10 advantage in the second to lead 30-26 at the break.
Mitchell led by three heading into the final quarter but saw the margin disappear as WestConn scored the first eight points of the fourth. Julia Misner tied the game with a three on the first possession of the period, and Olivia Monteleone capped the stretch with another three.
The Mariners never led again, but pulled even twice in the final 3:41. Both times it was Wiley who provided the big bucket.
With the game tied at 52-52 with 2:48 to go, both sides came up empty on multiple possessions, setting the stage for the final seconds. Rilley drew a foul after she rebounded a miss by Caldwell, and she made the first freebie before missing the second. Stevenson tracked down the rebound and got the ball over half court before attempting a long three for the win.
Mitchell (4-2 overall) will next play at Lehman College on Tuesday, November 30.