PRESQUE ISLE, Maine – First-year standout and three-time North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Rookie of the Week Jaydn Pingree (Jay, Maine) scored a game-high 21 points and shot a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line, including making all four of her free throws in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter to help Farmington edge out a 62-57 victory over the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Friday evening.
The Records:
The win improved the Beavers to 9-10 on the season and 6-4 in NAC play. The Owls dropped to 4-13 overall and 3-7 in NAC play following the loss.
How It Happened:
The game started slowly, with both teams struggling to score in the opening four and a half minutes. A layup from Jessica Dow (Saco, Maine) at the 5:35 mark of the first quarter made it an 8-4 game and sparked a 15-4 run over the next four minutes, allowing the Beavers to open up a 13-point lead. First-year Jazmine Pingree (Jay, Maine) knocked down a three-pointer and converted a three-point play to highlight the run for Farmington.
Four points, including a deep three from Anaira Ayala, sparked a quick 6-0 spurt to close the first quarter for the Owls, and Farmington took a 21-14 lead into the second quarter.
After a free throw from Alexis Ireland made it 26-19 midway through the second quarter, eight straight points from the Beavers helped them open up a 15-point lead, their largest of the first half. Audrey Mackie (South Thomaston, Maine) drilled a three, and Makayla Emerson (Bradley, Maine) converted a three-point play to spark the run for Farmington.
The Beavers took a 37-24 lead into halftime and quickly stretched it to a 21-point advantage in the opening minutes of the third quarter. Farmington's defense forced six Owl turnovers in the first four minutes of the second half, and Pingree scored six of her 21 points during that span to help the Beavers break open the game.
The Owls chipped away at the Beaver lead, cutting the deficit to 15 heading into the fourth quarter. Lindsay Hamilton scored five points in the final five minutes of the third quarter to keep Presque Isle within striking distance.
Camryn Ala knocked down a pair of free throws in the closing seconds of the third quarter, sparking an 11-0 Owl run that lasted until the 5:35 mark of the fourth quarter, cutting Farmington's lead to just four. A pair of free throws from Sarah Poli (Benton, Maine) ended the run and gave Farmington their first points in over five minutes of game time.
Ala drilled a three with 2:09 left, pulling UMPI within a point as Farmington's offense continued to stall. Pingree then hit a pair of free throws to make it a three-point game at the 1:43 mark, giving the Beavers a little breathing room.
After forcing a UMPI miss, Farmington turned the ball over on their ensuing possession, leading to an open layup for Ireland that cut the lead to just one. On the next Farmington possession, Dow grabbed an offensive rebound off a three-point miss from Mackie and found a cutting Pingree for an easy jumper in the lane, making it a 60-57 game with 36 seconds left.
Ala missed a three-pointer on the next UMPI possession, which was rebounded by Poli. Pingree then drilled a pair of free throws to seal the game and help Farmington sweep the season series with the Owls.
Stats of the Game:
Farmington shot just 32.3% (20-for-63) from the floor and 23.8% (5-for-21) from beyond the arc, but the game was won at the free-throw line. As a team, Farmington shot 94.4% (17-for-18) from the charity stripe, compared to UMPI's 70.8% (17-of-24) from the line. UMPI shot 35.3% (18-for-51) from the field and 23.5% (4-for-17) from deep.
Leaders - Farmington:
- Jaydn Pingree shot 6-for-10 from the floor and finished with a game-high 21 points. She also grabbed four rebounds and was the only Beaver in double figures.
- Jessica Dow had nine points, four assists, three rebounds, and three steals.
- Audrey Mackie finished with nine points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench.
Leaders - Presque Isle:
- Alexis Ireland finished with a game-high 17 points, along with 13 rebounds, four assists, and four steals.
- Lindsay Hamilton added 11 points on an efficient 5-of-6 shooting in 17 minutes off the bench.
- Anaira Ayala contributed 11 points, including a pair of threes.
UP NEXT
The Beavers will travel to Fort Kent tomorrow afternoon for a non-conference battle with the Bengals. Tip-off is set for 1:00 PM.
