FORT KENT, Maine — The two Aroostook County universities with basketball programs met for a doubleheader Wednesday at the University of Maine at Fort Kent, with the lady Bengals pulling away for a convincing 108-42 victory and the UM-Presque Isle men collecting an 80-70 victory.
In the women’s game which was played first, UMFK rolled for its ninth win of the season against only one loss. The Bengals forced 22 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of the game to lead 59-24 at halftime.
More tough defense led to a 28-6 run in the third quarter for the Bengals, who shot 57.5 percent from the floor in the contest.
Trinity Washington and Alyssa Kline each scored 25 points for UMFK, while Tajaheray McMahan added 18 points and Ivette Trujillo and Madison Fenner posted 12 and 11, respectively.
Rhylee Wright netted 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds for the 4-4 Owls, while Marissa Valdivia Reagle notched eight points.
In the men’s matchup, the visitors turned in a solid performance for their third win in a row. UMPI moved to 5-5 by grabbing the early lead and maintaining the advantage throughout.
The Owls led by 11 points early in the second half before the Bengals went on a run and cut the lead to two points on a basket by freshman Bryce Gilbert with just under 11 minutes remaining. The lead ballooned back to 11 four minutes later as UMPI regained control.
DeAndre Duncombe scored 23 points and Shyquinn Dix totaled 19 for UMPI. Griffin Guerrette added 14 points and eight rebounds, Wilburn Griffiths tossed in 12 points and Te’Von Hines hauled in a team-high nine rebounds for the Owls.
Chance Cole poured in 37 points to go along with seven rebounds for UMFK, now 4-10.
The teams match up again Feb. 12, this time in Presque Isle, in the schools’ final regular season contests.
