FARMINGTON, Maine - The University of Maine at Farmington women's basketball team pulled away in the second half, avenging its first-semester loss to Thomas College with a 74-62 win over the Terriers on Saturday afternoon in Dearborn Gymnasium.
Saturday's game served as Senior Day for the Beavers, who had the distinct privilege of honoring the phenomenal impact their three seniors—Grace Dwyer (Manchester, Maine), Ruby McMinis (Wells, Maine), and Sarah Poli (Benton, Maine)—have had on the program over the past four years.
The Records:
The win moved Farmington to 16-5 overall and 13-2 in NAC action. Thomas dropped to 12-9 overall and 8-6 in conference play with the loss.
How it Happened:
Farmington opened the game on a 9-2 run behind seven quick points from junior forward Jessica Dow (Saco, Maine). Dow got to the rim for an easy layup, knocked down a pair of free throws, and then converted a three-point play the old-fashioned way to stake the Beavers to an early lead.
Thomas settled in, answering with a quick 7-1 run to pull within two with five minutes remaining in the opening quarter. The teams traded baskets over the final five minutes of the period, as the Beavers clung to a 20-19 lead heading into the second quarter.
The second quarter was more of the same, with the teams continuing to trade buckets as the game remained a one-possession contest throughout the frame. Both teams scored just nine points in the quarter, while each side turned the ball over eight times.
After the Beavers took a 29-28 lead into halftime, they quickly extended it to four behind another three-point play from Dow off a beautiful feed from Jaydn Pingree (Jay, Maine). Thomas responded with an extended 13-6 run, capped by back-to-back baskets from Pryelle Kesse-Beda.
Farmington answered with a run of its own behind the stellar play of junior guard Melissa Mayo (Bridgton, Maine) and sophomore guard Makayla Emerson (Bradley, Maine). Mayo scored eight points in the final 3:48 of the third quarter, including a pair of three-pointers. Emerson drilled a three from the left corner and knocked down a pair of free throws as the duo combined for 13 points during a 15-5 Beavers run that opened up a 53-46 lead heading into the fourth quarter.
Kesse-Beda converted a three-point play on Thomas' opening possession of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to four, but that was as close as the Terriers would get. Pingree played the closer for Farmington in the final period, scoring 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field in the quarter to help secure the crucial victory. Dow added seven rebounds, four assists, and two steals in the final ten minutes.
Stats of the Game:
Farmington:
Field Goal Pct: 39.3% (22-for-56)
Three-Point Pct: 27.3% (6-for-22)
Free Throw Pct: 66.7% (24-for-36)
Rebounds (Total, Off-Def): 42 (19-23)
Turnovers: 21
Thomas:
Field Goal Pct: 41.8% (23-for-55)
Three-Point Pct: 15.8% (3-for-19)
Free Throw Pct: 76.5% (13-for-17)
Rebounds (Total, Off-Def): 30 (9-21)
Turnovers: 21
Leaders – Farmington:
- Pingree led all scorers with a game-high 19 points and added five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
- Dow stuffed the stat sheet with 18 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, and three steals, shooting 6-of-12 from the field and 6-of-10 from the free throw line.
- Mayo finished with ten points and two rebounds in 15 minutes off the bench.
Leaders – Thomas:
- Elena Alderman led the Terriers with 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting and added four assists and three rebounds.
- Kesse-Beda chipped in 15 points and five rebounds in 23 minutes off the bench.
- Holey Loring added 11 points, five steals, and four rebounds while shooting 4-of-8 from the field.
UP NEXT
The Beavers will host Colby College on Tuesday evening in their final non-conference contest of the season. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM.
