The University of Maine at Presque Isle’s women’s basketball team opened its season against the University of Maine at Farmington squad with a 75-47 loss in the opening round of the Webber Energy Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday.
Contributed photo Freshman Megan Korhonen, of Littleton, was named to the all-tournament team at this past weekends tournament. She scored a total of 47 points between the two Owl games, her first collegiate-level action.
Farmington bolted out to an 11-0 lead, but UMPI battled back keeping the game within reach at the half, 41-27. The defensive intensity was too much for the young Owls, as they were held to 33 percent shooting from the floor. Freshman point guard Megan Korhonen (Littleton, ME), in her first official collegiate game, played led the team with 23 points and seven rebounds. Junior Erica Davis (Cumberland, ME) added 11 points and five rebounds for UMPI, and Junior Anna Lenentine (Monticello, ME) had six points and six rebounds. Caitlyn Laflin led the Beavers with a 20 point effort.
In Sunday’s game, the UMPI women took on Emerson College of Boston in the consolation game. The Owls played a strong first half that gave them the lead, 35-34. In second half play, Emerson had more rebounds than the Owls, giving them the opportunity for second chance points. Despite a last 10 minute push, Emerson pulled out the win, 73-58.
“The score of both tournament games does not indicate how well we played over the weekend,” commented head coach Tracy Guerrette. “I never want my team to be content with losing, but I am very pleased with the way they battled and executed in the consolation game, especially against a tough Emerson team. We played with a lot of heart and intensity for 40 minutes. We improved tremendously over the weekend, and I believe it’s a good start to the season.”
Freshman Korhonen was selected to the all-tournament team for her skillful play over the weekend. She scored a two game total of 47 points.
Men drop two in tourney
The University of Maine Presque Isle men’s basketball team suffered two loses this weekend to conference championship contenders. On Friday evening, the Owls took on High Chevrolet Tournament host the University of Maine at Farmington, and battled to a 91-35 loss. Leading scorer for the Owls was sophomore point guard Anthony Wingate (East Orange, NJ) with 10. In Sunday’s consolation game, the Owls came out strong in the first half against a tough University of Southern Maine team. But the Huskies were too much to handle in the second half, handing Presque Isle its second loss of the season, 113-48. Junior Dwayne Mitchell (Dickinson, ND) led all scorers with 23 points, going 11 for 16 from the floor. Mitchell also made all-tournament selection for his outstanding play over the weekend.
The women will take on the University of Maine at Fort Kent at UMFK on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m.
The men will play in an NC Wesleyan tournament Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 in North Carolina.
