Owl winter sports teams in action
The UMPI men’s basketball team won its fourth straight game, topping the Coast Guard Academy at home Saturday, 82-78.
The game was close until midway through the first half, when UMPI went on a 17-2 run over a four-minute span. The Owls were outrebounded by a 47-31 margin in the contest, but shot well from the field with a 53.6 percent clip.
Kevin Collins had 21 points and five rebounds to lead UMPI’s attack. Derek Healy had 18 points and four boards, while Jordan Cook came off the bench to contribute 12 points and five rebounds. Maurice Harris was also in double figures with 11 points, while adding seven rebounds and three assists.
Healy was named USCAA Div. II Player of the Week for the week ending Dec. 11, thanks mainly to his 31-point performance and game-winning shot against Colby. He also scored 30 points in wins over UM-Machias and Unity.
UMPI, now 5-4 overall, returns to action Dec. 30 and 31, competing in the Mariner Classic hosted by Maine Maritime Academy in Castine. The Owls play Curry College at 4 p.m. on Dec. 30 and then square off against Maritime (N.Y.) at noon on Dec. 31.
The Owl women lost both games in the Hilton Poinsettia Tournament held in Scranton, Pa. Friday and Saturday, but did manage to garner their second victory of the season Monday over Yeshiva University in New York.
In the 81-67 victory, Sydney Churchill tallied 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Owls, while Amanda Hotham had a huge game with 15 points and 17 boards. Rhylee Wright netted 15 points for the winners.
In the tourney, UMPI lost to Stockton University and Washington and Lee by lopsided scores. Hotham averaged 15.5 points and 7.5 rebounds and was named to the all-tournament team.
Ski team has first meet
The Owls’ ski team was in Craftsbury, Vt. over the weekend for the Eastern Opener. Connor Hrynuk placed 14th in the under-20 10-kilometer classic event held Saturday, while Jason Bartley and John Paluszek were 16th and 27th, respectively.
Lydia Streinz, the only senior on the UMPI roster, was 14th in the under-23 female category.
On Sunday in the 10K skate pursuit start, Streinz improved to 10th and Bartley and Paluszek also moved up the standings to 15th and 16th. Hrynuk did not compete due to illness.
