PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle Owls pulled off a sweep of their home doubleheader against UM-Machias Wednesday, but neither win at Wieden Gymnasium came easily.
The UMPI women survived a late comeback attempt by the Clippers in the 64-59 victory, while in the next game, the Owl men needed overtime to prevail, 71-67.
Coach Gavin Kane’s Owl women improved to 3-13 by avenging an early-season loss. UMPI was up 35-20 at halftime, but the Clippers got to within three points with 37 seconds remaining. UMPI’s Jessy Dickison hit two late free throws to allow her team to survive.
Emilia Churchill, a sophomore from Washburn, led the Owls with 14 points, six rebounds and six assists. Dickison, a senior from Houlton, finished with 13 points and seven rebounds, Marissa Reagle, a freshman from Seattle, Washington, contributed 10 points, five rebounds and six assists and Chelsea Winiarski, a junior from Danforth, added 10 points.
Caitlyn Lyons paced UMM with 26 points.
The UMPI men swept their season series with the Clippers, but it didn’t come without a fight.
Darius Clark of the visitors hit a 3-pointer at the buzzer to send the game into overtime, but the Owls outscored UMM in the extra session by a 9-5 margin. The Owls’ Deandre Duncombe and Wilburn Griffiths each converted layups to begin overtime, before the Clippers reeled off five consecutive points, spearheaded by another Clark 3-point field goal, to go back on top with 2:18 left.
Kevin Collins nailed a 3-pointer with 28 seconds left to allow UMPI to retake the lead and 20 seconds later, Maurice Harris blocked a layup attempt by Clark, which led to a layup on the other end by Duncombe which provided the final four-point margin.
Duncombe led the Owls, who improved to 9-10, with 23 points, while Collins put in 18 and Harris 10 points to go along with 12 rebounds and five steals. Anthony Chacho provided 11 rebounds and five assists to go along with eight points.
Clark paced the Clippers with 24 points, while Alexander Blake netted 15 points and hauled in 10 rebounds. Teammate Travonne Thompson grabbed 16 rebounds and nine points.
