PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – The UMPI Owls women’s basketball team hosted the first round of the North Atlantic Conference playoffs. As the third seed the Owls hosted the Terriers of Thomas College, sitting as the sixth seed in the East Division of the NAC. The Owls beat the Terriers in a final second finish 57-53.
In the low scoring game both teams stood out on the defensive end. The Owls held the Terriers to just 34 percent from the field and 11 percent from the three, while UMPI shot 40 percent from the field and 10 percent from the three. It was the Owls defense early that held the Terriers to just four points in the first quarter, as they led early 12-4.
Thomas fought back slowly as they picked up their defense, causing the Owls to turn the ball over seven times in just the second quarter. Despite the Owls struggles, they still held the lead 24-17 in the first half. Some more back and forth play in the start of the second half led to the Owls up six going into the fourth.
Starting the final 10 minutes with a 7-2 run, the Terriers found themselves within one and plenty of time to go. The teams battled, exchanging buckets as there were four ties in the following four minutes. The Owls found themselves up two with just over two minutes left, until Alexis Ireland (Howland) finished an and-1 layup to give the Owls a five point lead with just under two minutes left. A quick 5-0 by the Terriers brought them back in it with the game tied at 51. It was senior Sarah Musselman (Turlock, California) and Emily Wheaton (Presque Isle) who each had a layup in back to back possessions to bring the Owls lead back up to three, as the Terriers hit one of two free throws. The Terriers found themselves at the line yet again with just under 30 seconds left, where they hit one of two. UMPI was able to take care of the ball and Ireland hit two late game free throws to put it away in the final seconds.
The Owls finished with four starters in double figures, led by Wheaton’s 11 points, while she added seven assists and four rebounds to her stat line. Paige Espling (Caribou) finished with an impressive 10 points, 15 rebounds, four blocks and four steals. Hunter Mercier (Fairfield) and Ireland each finished with ten as well.
