GORHAM, Maine - The University of Southern Maine opened the game on a 12-0 run and never looked back, defeating the University of Maine at Farmington 73-42 in non-conference women's basketball action at Hill Gymnasium on Wednesday evening.

The Records

Farmington dropped to 5-3 overall following the loss, while Southern Maine, who has received votes in the national rankings, improves to 7-1 on the season.

How It Happened

The Huskies came out firing on all cylinders, hitting five of their first six shot attempts, including a pair of threes from Lucy Wiles and Jaycie Christopher, to build a quick 12-0 lead just 2:44 into the game.

On the other end, the Beavers missed their first four attempts before senior forward Ruby McMinis (Wells, Maine) connected on a three from the right wing to get Farmington on the board.

McMinis' three settled Farmington down, sparking an 8-3 run that pulled the Beavers back within seven at 15-8.

Southern Maine then put together an extended surge from the final two and a half minutes of the first quarter through the final minute and a half of the second quarter, opening up a substantial lead and putting Farmington in a deep hole. Over the 11-minute span, the Huskies went on a 23-5 run to take a 38-13 advantage, capitalizing on defensive pressure that forced 12 turnovers during the decisive stretch.

Trailing by 21 entering the second half, Farmington responded early in the third quarter. Junior Jessica Dow (Saco, Maine) scored a layup and hit two free throws to start the half, cutting the deficit to 17. After a three from Christopher, consecutive layups by Jaydn Pingree (Jay, Maine) and Melissa Mayo (Bridgton, Maine) reduced the margin to 16, but that was as close as the Beavers would get.

Farmington played Southern Maine even in the third quarter but was outscored by ten in the fourth as the Huskies pulled away.

Stats of the Game

Farmington:
Field Goal Pct: 29.4% (15-for-51)
Three-Point Pct: 17.6% (3-for-17)
Free Throw Pct: 75.0% (9-for-12)
Rebounds (Off-Def): 31 (5-26)
Turnovers: 20

Southern Maine:
Field Goal Pct: 43.5% (27-for-62)
Three-Point Pct: 43.8% (14-for-32)
Free Throw Pct: 45.5% (5-for-11)
Rebounds (Off-Def): 44 (13-31)
Turnovers: 18

Leaders - Farmington

• Pingree led the Beavers with 13 points on 5-of-13 shooting, adding three rebounds and two steals.
• Dow filled the stat sheet with 11 points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.

Leaders - Southern Maine

• Christopher led all scorers with 19 points, shooting 7-of-14 from the floor and 5-for-8 from beyond the arc. She also grabbed ten rebounds to record a double-double.
• Wiles finished with 16 points, shooting an efficient 6-of-10 from the field and 3-for-4 from deep.
• Dakota Shipley added 12 points, six rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 24 minutes.

UP NEXT

Farmington returns to conference play on Friday evening, hosting the University of Maine at Presque Isle at 7:30 p.m. in Dearborn Gymnasium.