THE BASICS
Score: Dean College 51, Mitchell College 36
Records: Dean College (15-8, 12-2 NECC), Mitchell College (12-12, 11-4 NECC)
Location: Pieri Gymnasium, Franklin, Mass.
Date: Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Time: 7:00 PM

THE LEAD:
On a night when the program took time out to honor its four seniors (Sophia Corbitt, Shantell McCall, Emma Morrison and Morgan Turner), Dean College clamped down defensively and held visiting Mitchell College to just three first half baskets on their way to a 51-36 win in New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) women's basketball action on Tuesday evening.

The win for the Bulldogs (12-2) is their fourth in a row and keeps them right on the heels of first place Newbury College (13-2) with two regular season conference games remaining.

HOW IT HAPPENED:
Dean raced out to a 14-0 lead midway through the first quarter, forcing the Mariners to go 0-for-11 from the field with eight turnovers. When the period ended, the Bulldogs were in front 22-1 and Turner was already a perfect 4-for-4 from the field.

The Dean defense continued to control the contest in the second quarter and even though they only scored ten points in the quarter, they extended their lead after Mitchell only posted nine. If fact, the Mariners' first field goal didn't come until Kate McCormack made a short jumper after more than 13 minutes of game time had elapsed and the Bulldogs were ahead 24-3.

Four straight points from Morrison closed out the half, sending the Bulldogs into intermission ahead 32-10.

Dean saw its lead reach its peak at 37-11 when Corbitt banked in a rightside three pointer a little more than three minutes into the second half.

Four minutes later, the Bulldogs were still in front 43-19 on a Turner free throw line jumper, but Mitchell found some life and scored seven of the final nine points of the quarter.

That momentum carried over into the fourth quarter where the Mariners held Dean scoreless for the first five minutes and scored the frame's first eight points – highlighted by three-pointers from Allegra Jones and Jordan Lohneiss.

Now trailing just 45-34, Mitchell had three straight opportunities to cut the lead to under ten, but they were unable to convert and then the Bulldogs got a Turner jumper sandwiched around two Corbitt baskets with the final coming with under two minutes to play, putting the game out of reach.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
Dean controlled the interior, outrebounding the Mariners, 50-33, outscoring Mitchell in the paint, 26-8 and because the Bulldogs had 20 offensive rebounds, they totaled 17 second chance points.

Turner led all scorers with 18 points and eight rebounds on an efficient 9-for-15 from the field, while Corbitt provided energy all evening, recording 15 points, 11 rebounds and three steals.

Morrison, meanwhile, made several huge plays in the first half and finished with eight points, nine rebounds and four blocks.

Lohneiss was the lone Mariner in double figures with ten points, while Marissa Sweeney chipped in with eight points and eight rebounds.

UP NEXT:
The Bulldogs return to the hardwood for their final home contest of the season when they welcome Lesley University to Pieri Gymnasium on Thursday at 7:00 PM. Mitchell, meanwhile, is off until Saturday when they host Becker College at 1:00 PM.