NEW LONDON, Conn. - The visiting Western Connecticut State University Wolves were beaten, 68-61, by the Mitchell College Mariners in women's basketball action this afternoon at Yarnall Athletic Center.  WestConn drops to 1-4 while the Mariners improve to 2-2 with their first-ever win over the Wolves in seven all-time meetings between the schools.  The Wolves will return to action on Tuesday, November 28 at home against St. Joseph (Conn.) at 7 p.m.  Senior captain Nicole Vivian (New Mlford, Conn.) had 14 points and 10 rebounds for WestConn.

The Wolves came out strong offensively, jumping out to a 16-4 lead en route to a 19-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.  Six players and all five starters scored for the visitors in the opening stanza, including five points by junior guard Nicole Peralta (North Windham, Conn.).  Mitchell returned the favor with a 17-point second quarter and went into halftime with a 31-28 lead.  Vivian carried the Wolves offense in the second frame, scoring all nine of her team's points to finish with 13 at the break.

Mitchell increased its lead to double digits in the third quarter, taking a 44-34 lead with 2:22 on the clock.  Vivian and sophomore Malaysia Dingle (Holbrook, Mass.) each scored three points to cut the Wolves' deficit to 46-40 at the final break.  WestConn battled back in the final quarter and tied the game at 52-all on a Peralta three-pointer at the 4:56 mark. 

Sophomore forward Rosaleen Regan (Monroe, N.J.) and Dingle both drilled triples over the next 90 seconds to give WestConn a 58-55 lead, but Inonda Peterson made a jumper with 1:30 on the clock to give the lead back to Mitchell, 60-59.  Dingle answered with a layup to give WestConn its final lead, but the Mariners made eight of nine free throws while holding the Wolves without a point the rest of the way.

Dingle tied Vivian for the Wolves' scoring lead with 14 points off the bench, while junior forward Alyssa Virtue (Groton, Conn.) contributed eight points, 10 rebounds, three assists, and two blocks.  Senior forward Yasmine Santos paced Mitchell with 28 points and 22 rebounds and Peterson had 12 points and 10 rebounds.