FARMINGTON, Maine - The University of Maine at Farmington women's basketball team opened up their 2023-24 campaign this evening at home against the University of Maine at Fort Kent. The Beavers fell to the Bengals, 78-53.
First-year guard Melissa Mayo (Bridgton, Maine) started off her collegiate career with a bang, scoring 20 points on 7-8 shooting from the field, including 5-6 from beyond the arc. Off the tap, Mayo was wide open from the right wing and splashed her 1st three of the night. The very next possession Mayo ran a little dribble handoff with fellow first-year Jessica Dow (Saco, Maine), took a dribble to her left and sprayed her 2nd three of the night, this time from the left wing. Mayo kept the scorching hot start rolling on the Beavers 3rd possession, hitting her 3rd consecutive three when the Bengals just sagged off leaver her wide open. Mayo drained her 4th three of the quarter from the top of the key to give the Beavers an early 15-8 lead. Mayo continued her streak by converting a layup while getting fouled and then hit the free throw. To help the Beavers regain the lead at the 2:06 mark of the 1st quarter. Mayo hit another layup on the next possession and then finished off the quarter with her 5th three helping the Beavers take a 27-25 lead after one.
After the high scoring 1st quarter, the Beavers offense started to slow in the 2nd quarter. The Bengals outscored the Beavers 25-8 in the quarter to take a 15-point lead into half time. Tamia Roubek got hot in the 2nd quarter for UMFK, picking up nine points in the quarter. Skye Dugan and Kayla Stainthorp added six points apiece in the quarter.
The Bengals came out of halftime on fire from downtown, hitting 4-6 from beyond the arc in the 3rd quarter while the Beavers' struggles on the offensive end continued. The Beavers shot just 12.5% (2-16) from the field in the quarter. A three-pointer from Grace Dwyer (Manchester, Maine) on the Beavers 1st possession of the half cut the deficit to 14, but that was as close as the Beavers would get.
Senior Maddy White (Waldoboro, Maine) hit a pair of three in the 4th quarter for the Beavers.
After shooting 64.3% (9-14) from the field and 66.7% (6-9) from deep in the 1st quarter, the Beavers finished the game shooting 28.3% (17-6) from the field and 30% (9-30) from three. The Bengals shot 46.9% (30-64) from the field and 50% (10-20) beyond the arc for the game.
Mayo finished with a game-high 23 points of 7-11 shooting. Dow and White added eight points apiece while Sarah Poli (Benton, Maine) chipped in with seven points and 11 rebounds. Dugan paced the Bengals 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Kayla Stainthorp hit five threes to finish with 15 points off the bench. Roebuck finished with 13 points and nine rebounds while Coreeahn Yarbrough stuffed the stat sheet with nine points, nine assists, and six rebounds.
UP NEXT
The Beavers travel to Castleton, Vermont on Friday to take part in the Spartan Classic. The Beavers will open up the tournament against host VTSU Castleton. Tip-off is set for 5:00 PM.
