NEW LONDON, Conn. -- Jacqueline Ward and Julia Mann each had 20 points to lead the Bears to a 85-70 win over crosstown foe Mitchell College on Monday evening. With the win the Bears improve to 7-7; the Mariners fall to 6-8.

Mann and Ward each had double-doubles, Mann's third in a row, grabbing 12 and 11 rebounds, respectively. Dorothy Stotts came off the bench to score 18 points for the Bears. Kira Wood added 12 points, and Kelly Hagerty and Lily Mika added six apiece. Hagerty also eight rebounds. Glory Blethen and Wood had five rebounds each. Ward led the Bears with five assists, followed by Mika with four. 

The Bears jumped out to a fast start, leading the Mariners 13-10 after the first quarter. However, Mitchell went on a run and the Bears found themselves down seven at the half 36-29. The Mariners went 7-7 from the free throw line in the first half, while the Bears only made one of seven attempts. 

The Bears came out fighting in the third quarter, outscoring the Mariners 25-18 and tying the game at 54-54. The Bears exploded in the fourth quarter, shooting a blistering 69.2% from the floor and scoring 31 points in the frame to secure the win over the Mariners. Ward was a perfect 11-11 from the free throw line in the second half, and the Bears hit 11-12 in the fourth quarter. Ward and Stotts each had 11 points in the fourth quarter.

The Bears outshot the Mariners from the floor, 38.2% - 37.0% and from the three, 31.6% - 22.2%. Coast Guard outrebounded Mitchell 56-39, with 21 offensive boards. 

The Bears are back in action on Saturday, January 14 as they open New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) play against Wellesley at home at 1 PM.