Lady Owls win three

Playing three away games in four days can be taxing on a team’s spirit, but the University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s basketball team met the challenge head-on and finished this past weekend’s trip with three wins, increasing their winning streak to five in a row.
     UMPI road games began on Jan. 25, in Bangor, opposite the University of Maine at Augusta. Utilizing a very effective full-court press to jump to an early lead, the Owls started the second half with a comfortable 52-25 score against the Lady Moose. Despite the very high 28 points made by UMA’s power-forward Ali Mills, UMPI coasted the rest of the game, defeating the Lady Moose 93-53.
The Owl’s Erica Davis dominated with 24 total points, Lisa Maynard (Washburn) had a season high of 19 points, two of which were 3-pointers, and Ashley Brooker (Limestone) chipped in with 12 points.
Next, the Lady Owl’s traveled to Albany, N.Y., where they faced Russell Sage College. Before the game began, UMPI had to surmount much in the way of team spirit as teammate Nicole Russell had fell on her wrist in the UMA game and required a soft cast for the severe sprain. Nevertheless, the Lady Owls prevailed, and although the Lady Gators played solid defense and held a 30-25 lead, the Owls came back full force.
Led by Erica Davis, who continued to play while in foul trouble, UMPI held Russell Sage to a 31percent shooting average. The Lady Gators did shoot 21 for 22 free throws to keep the game close, but the Lady Owls won the game 70-64.
UMPI’s Erica Davis claimed 23 points, 17 rebounds, and five steals, and Ashley Brooker and Michelle Phillips scored 11 points each. Coach Rich Ward noted, “Neither team led more than four points; in fact, with three minutes left to go, the game was tied. What clinched it was our depth and balance.”
On Sunday, UMPI finished their road trip against Unity College. Displaying maturity and a competitive spirit, the Lady Owls jumped to an early lead and cruised the rest of the game to sweep the season series opposite the Rams.
Although Unity’s Kelly Young led her team with 16 points, UMPI had three players in double figures. Erica Davis scored 29 points, while Collette Sloat had 11.
Coach Ward remarked, “We may have had some high scorers, but that wouldn’t even have been possible without Anna Lenentine who was credited with 22 rebounds for the game. She was simply everywhere today.”
These wins increase UMPI’s record to 9-6 for the season. They currently possess at 4-1 record against NCAA Division III Independents which makes their post-season prospects look very good. On Thursday, February 1st, at 6 p.m., the Lady Owls will play county rival University of Maine at Fort Kent Lady Bengals. They then end their home season stretch on Saturday, Feb. 3, opposite UMA. All seniors will be recognized for their hard work at this match.