FORT KENT, Maine – After trailing by as many as 20 points in the second quarter, the University of Maine at Farmington women's basketball team erupted in the second half, outscoring the University of Maine at Fort Kent 50-16 en route to a 74-58 victory in a non-conference showdown on Saturday afternoon.
The Records:
With the win, Farmington improved to 10-10 on the season, evening their record. Fort Kent dropped to 7-8 following the loss.
How It Happened:
The game began as a competitive back-and-forth battle. With 2:20 left in the opening quarter, Audrey Mackie (South Thomaston, Maine) nailed a three-pointer to tie the game at 10. Following Mackie's three, Cece Bell led a quick 6-0 spurt in the final 75 seconds of the quarter, giving the Bengals a 16-10 lead heading into the second period.
Fort Kent took control in the second quarter, shooting lights out from beyond the arc. Bell, Karolyn Baptiste, Trinity Yocum, and Tobie Yocum combined for a perfect 6-for-6 from three-point range, helping the Bengals extend their lead to 42-22, their largest of the game.
Farmington's Sarah Poli (Benton, Maine) drilled a pair of free throws in the final seconds of the half to cut the deficit to 18 points at halftime.
The Beavers came out strong in the second half, cranking up their defensive pressure. In the third quarter alone, Farmington forced eight Bengal turnovers and outscored Fort Kent 28-13 to pull within three heading into the final quarter.
Offensively, the Beavers were led by Jessica Dow (Saco, Maine), Grace Dwyer (Manchester, Maine), and Ruby McMinis (Wells, Maine), who combined for 20 points on 7-for-13 shooting, including 3-for-6 from beyond the arc.
The fourth quarter was all Farmington. Trailing 55-52 at the start, the Beavers outscored the Bengals 22-3 in the final frame to secure the victory. After a scorching second quarter, Fort Kent could not find their rhythm in the fourth, shooting just 1-for-15, including 1-for-14 from three-point range.
McMinis, Mackie, and Poli combined to score 17 of Farmington's 22 points in the quarter. Mackie hit two big threes, including back-to-back shots that gave Farmington their first lead since the first quarter.
Stats of the Game:
After shooting just 4-for-18 from the field in the first quarter, Farmington finished the game shooting 48.9% (23-for-47) from the floor, including 33.3% (8-for-24) from three-point range.
In contrast, Fort Kent shot 16-for-31 from the floor in the first half but struggled in the second half, finishing with a shooting percentage of 34.9% (22-for-63). The Bengals went just 6-for-32 in the second half, including 1-for-14 from three.
Farmington also dominated the boards, holding a 37-29 advantage, including 25-11 in the second half.
Leaders - Farmington:
- Jaydn Pingree (Jay, Maine) and Poli led the Beavers with 14 points each. Pingree added five rebounds, four assists, and three steals, while Poli contributed six rebounds and shot 5-for-8 from the field.
- Mackie shot 3-of-6 from beyond the arc, finishing with 13 points and five rebounds in 26 minutes off the bench.
- Dow contributed 12 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and a steal.
- McMinis scored 11 points, all in the second half, on 4-of-6 shooting, including 2-for-2 from three-point range.
Leaders - Fort Kent:
- Bell led the Bengals with a double-double of 17 points and 13 rebounds.
- Baptiste added 16 points, shooting 5-for-10 from the field.
UP NEXT:
The Beavers return to action on Wednesday evening for a North Atlantic Conference (NAC) battle at home against Maine Maritime Academy. Tip-off is set for 5:30 PM.
