NEW LONDON, Conn. – The Mitchell College women's basketball team dropped a 78-52 decision to Coast Guard Academy on Monday afternoon at the Yarnall Athletic Center.

Coast Guard, which improved to 8-4 on the season, shot 39 percent and forced 31 turnovers. Kyra Hartman led all scorers with 21 points, one of four Bears in double figures. Jacqueline Ward added 14 points while Glory Blethen recorded a double-double of 10 points and 10 boards, and Abbey Guidry came off the bench to chip in 11 points. 

Amina Wiley paced Mitchell (7-7 overall) with 14 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Dede Stevenson and Alexia Watson contributed 10 points apiece, but as a team the Mariners shot just 33 percent and went 4-for-23 from long range. 

In the opening quarter, the lead changed hands four times as the two teams tried to find a rhythm early. Stevenson had five points in the period as Mitchell clung to a 16-15 lead heading into the second stanza.

The Bears used a monster second quarter to seize control, outscoring the Mariners by a 23-6 margin. Through a combination of its full-court press and half-court defense, Coast Guard forced nine turnovers and limited Mitchell to 2-for-18 shooting. The visitors took advantage early in the period, ripping off a 14-2 run as both Wiley and Le'Sandra Turner were sidelined with foul trouble. The result was a 38-22 lead for the Bears at intermission.

Hartman scored 13 of her 21 points after the break as Coast Guard kept the lead in double digits the entire second half. She finished the game with eight rebounds, four steals and three assists as the Bears picked up their third straight win.

Tianna Sweeney gave the Mariners some good minutes off the bench, finishing with eight points and season highs of 10 rebounds and three blocks. Stevenson also handed out a game-high six assists.

Mitchell will next play at Fisher College on Thursday, January 20 at 7 p.m.