Wheelock races past Mitchell, 85-61

NEW LONDON, Conn. – Sophomore Max Kaim (Fort Lauderdale, Fla.) four Wildcats in double figures with 17 points as Wheelock College defeated Mitchell College 85-61 Saturday afternoon at the Yarnell Athletic Center. Kaim shot 8-9 from the field and added five steals. Wheelock (10-6 overall, 3-3 NECC) shot 55 percent in the game and held a 41-35 advantage on the glass. (Right: Wheelock sophomore Max Kaim).

Mitchell College senior Mike DePaolo shot 12-of-19 from the floor and made a career-best seven three-pointers to pace the Mariners (2-12 overall, 1-5 NECC).

Wheelock took control early in the contest, scoring 10 unanswered points to pull ahead for a lead it would never relinquish. Sherard Robbins (Malden, Mass.) ignited the run with a lay-up that was followed by a three-pointer by Dan Main (Hopedale, Mass.), who later capped the stretch with a free throw to put the Wildcats up 14-6 with 14:40 to play in the half.

After pushing the lead to 11 on a jumper by Kaim with 8:12 to go, Wheelock never let the lead dip below double digits. The Wildcats built the margin to as many as 21 in the final minutes of the half before heading to the locker room with a 43-24 advantage. Wheelock shot 62 percent in the stanza while Mitchell checked in at just 31 percent.

DePaolo scored 22 of his 32 points in the second half, shooting 8-of-10 from the field and 5-of-7 from long range. The Mariners, however, failed to make up any ground, as the Wildcats continued to get good shots and knocked them down.

Main finished with 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting while Robbins and Victor Kashouh (Providence, R.I.) added 12 and 11 points, respectively. Robbins also pulled down a team-high eight rebounds while Main chipped in with six.

DePaolo was the only Mitchell player to score in double figures, notching the first 30-point game of his collegiate career. Junior Pat Nielsen (Norwalk, Conn.) added season highs of nine points and five rebounds to help the Mariners’ cause.

Mitchell will next host Becker College on Thursday, January 28 at the Yarnall Athletic Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wheelock will next host Lesley University on Thursday at 7 p.m.