WATERVILLE, Maine – The University of Maine at Farmington women's basketball team didn't seem to have an answer for Thomas College sophomore forward Pryelle Kessa-Beda, who finished with a game-high 31 points and 17 rebounds to help the Terriers secure a 48-43 victory on Friday evening.

The Records:

Farmington dropped to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in NAC play following the loss. Thomas improved to 6-3 on the season, moving to 3-1 in conference play.

How it Happened:

Neither team was able to shoot the ball efficiently, and both struggled to take care of the basketball, finishing with 25 turnovers apiece. But whenever Thomas
needed a bucket, they turned to Kessa-Beda, who had her way all night.

Junior guard Audrey Mackie (South Thomaston, Maine) got the Beavers' offense rolling early, connecting on consecutive threes on the first two possessions to make it 6-0 just 65 seconds into the game.

The hot shooting didn't last, as the Beavers went without a field goal for the next eight minutes and 22 seconds while Thomas surged ahead on a 10-1 run. Kessa-Beda and Rox Dagostino combined to score all 10 points during the stretch.

The second quarter turned into a defensive battle. Melissa Mayo (Bridgton, Maine) hit 1-of-2 from the line in the opening seconds to tie the game at 10-10. Neither team scored again until the 6:22 mark, when Kytana Williamson (Nobleboro, Maine) picked Dagostino's pocket and went coast-to-coast for a layup. Thomas was
held scoreless until the 4:53 mark, when Kessa-Beda grabbed an offensive rebound and quickly put it back to make it 14-12.

Lilly Gray (Benton, Maine) and Kessa-Beda traded baskets in the closing minute of the half, and Farmington entered the break with an 18-14 lead.
Offense picked up in the third quarter. After a Kessa-Beda layup cut the lead to 20-19 two minutes in, Mayo drilled a three and followed it with a steal and layup on the next possession to push Farmington's lead back to six.

But Kessa-Beda responded again, scoring six straight points and sparking an 8-2 run to tie the game at 22. The teams traded baskets late in the quarter, but a layup from Kaya Loring gave Thomas a 33-31 lead heading to the fourth.

The final quarter belonged entirely to Kessa-Beda, who scored 11 of Thomas' 15 points to secure the win. She did much of her damage at the free throw line, going 9-for-10 from the stripe in the fourth alone. Thomas led by as many as seven in the period. Mackie hit a pair of big threes to keep Farmington close, but the Beavers were unable to mount a full comeback, dropping their second game of the season.

Stats of the Game:

Farmington
Field Goal Pct: 29.3% (17-for-58)
Three-Point Pct: 27.8% (5-for-18)
Free Throw Pct: 30.8% (4-for-13)
Rebounds (Total, Off-Def): 38 (11-27)
Turnovers: 25

Thomas
Field Goal Pct: 32.0% (16-for-50)
Three-Point Pct: 0.0% (0-for-9)
Free Throw Pct: 72.7% (16-for-22)
Rebounds (Total, Off-Def): 43 (9-34)
Turnovers: 25

Leaders – Farmington:

• Mackie led the Beavers with 12 points, knocking down four threes in 30 minutes.
• Sarah Poli (Benton, Maine) pulled down a season-high 13 rebounds.
• Williamson added four points, six rebounds, and four steals in 24 minutes off the bench.

Leaders – Thomas:

• Kessa-Beda shot 9-for-19 from the field and 13-for-14 from the line on her way to a dominant 31-point, 17-rebound performance, also contributing four steals and three blocks.
• Dagostino chipped in six points and three rebounds.

Up Next:

Farmington will look to get back in the win column on Saturday afternoon on the road against Lesley University. Tip-off is set for 3:00 PM.