HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College women's basketball team earned the win over visiting Mitchell College behind a record-setting performance from senior center Kathleen Rodriguez (McFarland, Calif.) on Saturday afternoon at the Bridges Gymnasium in Henniker, New Hampshire in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action.  

THE BASICS 
Score: Mitchell College 51, New England College 70 
Records: Mariners 3-15, 1-9 GNAC | Pilgrims 11-10, 6-4 GNAC 

 
HOW IT HAPPENED 

• Rodriguez scored the first three buckets for the 'Grims, jumping out to an early 6-3 lead after three minutes of play. But the NEC offense struggled to a 25.0 percent shooting clip in the quarter, eventually ceding the lead to the Mariners. However, a three-pointer by sophomore guard Macy Gordon (Boscawen, N.H.) would retake the lead for the 'Grims, closing out the first quarter 13-11. 
• Early in the second, Rodriguez continued to provide a steady presence in the paint, scoring six more in the quarter on her way to a first-half double-double. Following a Mitchell three-pointer with three minutes put the Mariners up three, the 'Grims closed out the quarter on a 7-0 run highlighted by another Gordon triple. 
• Coming out of the break with a 28-24 lead, NEC would attempt to pull away, but the Mariners would keep it close. The 'Grims continued to feed Rodriguez down low as she scored another 10 points in the third. The Pilgrim lead would grow to as high as 11 in the quarter, but Mitchell would reduce the lead to five by the end of the quarter. 
• After Rodriguez opened the fourth quarter with a good lay-up, senior guard Sierra Gamble (Houston, Tex.) connected on back-to-back three-pointers to cap off a quick 8-0 run. The NEC lead would remain around 10 before a huge 10-0 burst, sparked by a run of caused turnovers by senior guard Alissia Corona (Wylie, Tex.) and fast-break baskets by junior guard Isyss Scott (Bakersfield, Calif.). Some strong defense late would give the 'Grims the 70-51 pull-away victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

• Rodriguez exploded for 32 points and 14 rebounds, setting a new career high in points scored. The senior center went a perfect 16-of-16 from the field, tying the all-time NCAA Division-III record for best field goal percentage in a game (minimum 14 attempts). Her performance tied a record (16-16 FGM) that had gone untouched since it was set in 2015. Rodriguez additionally set the single game field goal percentage record for the 2023-24 season, smashing the previous high. 
• At press time, Rodriguez sits atop the NCAA Division-III leaderboard in field goal percentage on the season, improving to 67.8 percent from the field - nearly five percentage points better than second place.
• Rodriguez, with the huge performance, jumped to the number one spot in Division-III in field goal percentage on the season, shooting 64.5 percent. 
• Gordon reached double figures, setting a season-high, and tying her previous person best, with 11 points on 3-of-5 shooting from beyond-the-ark. She added four assists. 
• Corona took a backseat role on offense but was a force on defense with six steals, a new career best. Meanwhile, senior guard Juliana Hernandez (McFarland, Calif.) scored four points and brought down 10 rebounds.  
• Mitchell's Yasmine Santos (Pawtucket, R.I.) scored 21 points and led the team with 10 rebounds and five steals. Jamya Beddoe (New London, Conn.) also scored 21 points for the visitors on 5-of-13 shooting from distance.  
• NEC won the rebounding battle in convincing fashion, 42-27. Continuing the theme of dominating down low, the 'Grims outscored Mitchell 46-26 in the paint. 

UP NEXT 

• Up next for NEC, the team continues GNAC play against Norwich on Wednesday at Bridges Gym with a 5:00 PM tip.  
• Mitchell returns home to host Dean College at 5:00 PM on Wednesday evening. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.