The University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s basketball team broke through for just its second North Atlantic Conference victory of the season Saturday, and it came against one of the top teams in the league.
The Owls went on an 11-0 run in the second quarter, turning a 15-15 tie into a 26-15 advantage, and held on for a 57-53 triumph over Maine Maritime Academy in Castine.
The Mariners closed to within a point late in the contest, but two free throws by Emilia Churchill and another by Sara Musselman in the final 16 seconds put the game away for UMPI.
Rhylee Wright canned three 3-point field goals in a row during the decisive spurt. She finished with 15 points, eight rebounds and a steal, while teammate Hunter Mercier contributed 13 points, grabbed four rebounds and blocked two shots. Marissa Valdivia-Reagle turned in a strong performance with eight points, 10 rebounds and three steals. Churchill added nine points and Kendra Silvers chipped in with six points and six boards.
UMPI improved its record to 6-11. The Owls are now 2-6 in the NAC.
Alayne Felix scored 17 points and had eight rebounds for MMA, which fell to 10-5 overall and 4-2 in conference play.
The UMPI men dropped a close 68-66 decision that afternoon to the Mariners, despite 15 points, five rebounds, two assists and a steal by freshman guard Griffiin Guerrette. Luke Peterson had 13 points and Shyquinn Dix and Te’Von Hines had 12 points each. Hines also led the team in rebounds with eight.
The Owls are 1-7 in NAC play and 7-10 overall.
The UMPI teams played Thomas College in Waterville Jan. 16. The men came through with a 93-82 overtime victory behind huge outings from Dix (29 points and eight rebounds) and Guerrette (25 points). Dix connected on a layup with time running out in the second half to force overtime.
In the 79-63 loss for the women’s squad, Mercier scored 18 points, Reagle added 15 and Churchill 14. Wright came off the bench to contribute 11 points and 13 rebounds.
