Lady Owls end season at tourney
The University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s basketball team closed out their season at 15-8 over the weekend with two losses in the NCAA III Independent Northeast Tournament.
The third-seeded Lady Owls opened play Friday facing no. 2 Lincoln University and by the end of the first half, found themselves on the losing end of a 34-23 score.
In the second half, UMPI just couldn’t get their shots to go and didn’t make a shot until 3:28 into play. The team fought hard and maintained a 65-percent free-throw average, but suffered a 72-48 loss.
Erica Davis led the Lady Owls with 13 points and seven steals. Ashley Brooker added 11 points.
Lincoln was led by Sharell McMillan and Shanice Nesmith with 20 points each.
In the consolation game, UMPI faced St. Joseph’s College of Maine. The teams split a pair of game on the regular season but a rough start for the Lady Owls gave the Lady Monks the advantage.
UMPI opened cold from the floor, not scoring until five minutes into the contest and St. Joseph’s built a 33-13 first-half lead.
The Lady Owls came back in the second half, outscoring St. Joseph’s 33-30, but it was too little, too late as the Lady Monks took a 63-46 win.
Leah Joy led UMPI with 12 points and two steals and Julie Wescott added 13 points for a selection to the all-tournament team.
Sasha Bowel and Megan Farrell led St. Joseph’s with 11 points each.
“This weekend was our 17th road game,” said UMPI head coach Richard Ward. “We have traveled a lot this season and the team gave it their all.”
The Lady Owls ended the regular season the previous weekend with a pair of wins, defeating UMaine-Machias 81-43 and St. Joseph’s College 57-56.
Against UMM, things got off to a rough start for the Lady Owls even before the game with road conditions making the team late. UMPI made their trip worth it though, opening up a 48-14 lead in the first half.
The Lady Owls placed five players in double figures with Davis leading the way at 16 points and five steals. Brooker added 13 points and Wescott, Michelle Phillips and Nicole Russell added 10 points each. Anna Lenentine picked up seven steals.
“Our front-court players made the difference,” Ward said. “Nicole Russell came of the bench and scored 10 points in the paint which really opened up our shooters. I think we are prepared for most of the offenses and defenses we’ll see.”
Amanda Chandler led UMM with 17 points.
Against St. Joseph’s, UMPI maintained consistent momentum throughout the match though they never led by more than five points.
Utilizing their strong defensive efforts, UMPI held St. Joseph’s scoreless in the final 20 seconds for the win.
Erica Davis led the Lady Owls with 24 points and five steals. Joy added seven points and Lenentine put up six.
Bowen led the Lady Monks with nine points and three steals.
UMPI men lose final two
The University of Maine at Presque Isle men’s team wrapped up their season Feb. 17 and 18 with a pair of losses on the road.
Saturday, the Owls challenged UMaine-Machias but suffered a 66-60 loss. Down only 36-37 at the end of the first half, UMPI gained some momentum as Clippers’ player David Butler received a technical foul early.
However, the Owls fell victim to a height disadvantage in the loss. Anthony Wingate led UMPI with 10 points and Thomas Wire added seven.
Butler led UMM with 14 points.
Sunday, UMPI closed out the season with a 90-43 loss to St. Joseph’s College.
The Monks put forth the effort of a taller and more experienced team and wore down the Owls.
Leading St. Joseph’s was Marcus Alexander and Matt Plummer with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Scot Vachon added eight points and six steals.
Travis Hovey, Wingate and Wire led UMPI with eight points each.
