NEW LONDON, Conn. – A hot start for Emmanuel women's basketball saw them lead by 18 after one quarter, an advantage they wouldn't surrender as the Saints led wire-to-wire in their 77-52 win over the Mitchell Mariners on Saturday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play at the Yarnell Athletic Center.

Emmanuel improves to 8-9 (3-3 GNAC) this season and have won their last three games. Mitchell falls to 2-10 (0-6 GNAC) while still seeking their first home win of the year.

The Saints opening quarter was their best of the season as the visitors scored 32 points, their highest-scoring quarter of the year. Emmanuel shot 12-for-19 from the floor and 6-of-7 at the line in the 32-point quarter.

Leading 16-8 through the first 4:55 of the quarter, the Saints finished the first on a 16-6 run to lead 32-14. Five Saints finished with a perfect shooting percentage in the quarter, including a 3-for-3 outing by first-year Lia Krumian and 2-for-2 shooting by graduate guard Olivia Matela and sophomore Kaitlyn Bartash.

After a 13-13 second quarter, the Saints extended their lead after halftime, thanks to a strong third quarter, outscoring the Mariners 16-9 in the frame. Emmanuel's 7-for-15 shooting in the third lifted them to a 61-36 advantage while the Saints held Mitchell
to 3-of-16 from the field in the third.

Just like the second quarter, the Saints and Mariners matched points in the fourth, each scoring 16, including six points for Saints first-year Reese Bartlett, as the visitors claim their third straight win.

Saints senior Paris Atuahene finished with nine points, four rebounds, and four assists in 17 minutes. Bartash added nine points, five rebounds, and two blocks while Krumian added nine points in 15 minutes off the bench.

Mariners first-year N'Tai Teague scored a game-high 14 points to go along with three rebounds and three assists. Junior Jamya Beddoe added 13 points including 3-for-7 shooting from beyond the arc in a full 40 minutes.

The Saints finish out January with a trip to Regis on Wednesday, facing the Pride in GNAC action at 5:00 p.m. The Mariners travel to the University of Saint Joseph on Wednesday night for a conference tip at 5:00 p.m.