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Thursday, March 15, 2001
USM's Amanda Kimball Receives ECAC Honors
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine Huskies women's basketball team has been honored by
Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) for her play during the 2000-2001
basketball season.
Kimball was named to the ECAC Division III Women's New England All-Star
third team, following voting by the ECAC New England head coaches. The
announcement was made by the conference office Thursday afternoon. The ECAC
honor is the first of her four-year USM career.
A 1997 Kennebunk High School graduate, Kimball led the Huskies in scoring,
averaging 11.4 points per game and pulled down 5.2 rebounds per game, third-best
on the squad. She notched career single-game highs in points (24), rebounds
(13), and assists (7) during the season. She reached double figures in scoring
19 times and in rebounding four times, while registering three "double-doubles".
The 5-foot-9 forward shot 46 percent from the field, 64 percent from the
line, dished out 55 assists and recorded 33 steals in 27 games.
She previously was named to the All-Little East Conference first team and
the 2001 LEC All-Tournament team. Kimball was also selected to the 2000-2001
Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association All-State Second Team.
Southern Maine finished its season 20-7 overall, extending its NCAA
women's record for winning 20 or more games to 21 consecutive seasons. The
Huskies qualified for the NCAA Division III national tournament for the seventh
straight season, and 15th time in the last 16 years.
2000-2001 ECAC Division III Women's New England Basketball All-Stars
First Team
Allison Coleman, Eastern Connecticut (Fr. - F)
Kate McLaughlin, Bates College (Sr. - F)
Kristi Royer, Bowdoin College (So. - F)
Melissa Smock, Salem State (Sr. - G)
Kelly Thompson, Springfield (Jr. - G/F)
Second Team
Brianne Bognanno, Emmanuel (So. - F)
Cristina Estrada, MIT (Sr. - C)
Emily Goodman, Tufts (So. - C)
Sara Hammond, Colby-Sawyer (Sr. - G)
Marci Tillman, Emmanuel (Sr. - G)
Third Team
Meg Barao, Wellesley (Sr. - F)
Meredith Eddy, Babson (Jr. - F)
Kelly Grover, Wellesley (So. - C)
Amanda Kimball, University of Southern Maine (Sr. - F)
Jamie Vielmetti, Westfield State (Sr. - G)
Honorable Mention
Courtney Albert, Plymouth State (So. - F)
Sarah Ashton, Worcester State (Sr. - G)
Ashley Bramwell, Colby-Sawyer (Jr. - F/C)
Jody Gardner, Eastern Nazarene (Sr. - G)
Kristin Hanley, Middlebury (So. - F)
Renee Hellert, New England College (Sr - F)
Emily Morgan, Clark (Sr. - F)
Kristine O'Coin, Framingham State (So. - F)
Catherine Proto, Springfield (Jr. - F)
Kara Smolinsky, Salem State (So. - F)
Player of the Year
Allison Coleman, Eastern Connecticut (Fr. - F)
*******************************************************************************
Wednesday, March 7, 2001
USM's Amanda Kimball, Kara Crockett and Meg Cressler Receive MWBCA Honors
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine),
sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) and freshman guard Meg Cressler
(Appleton, Maine) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies women's basketball
team have been honored by the Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association
(MWBCA) for their play during the 2000-2001 basketball season.
Crockett and Kimball were named to the MWBCA All-State Second Team while
Cressler was named to the All-Rookie Team. The awards are the first for each
player.
Kimball, a Kennebunk High School graduate, led the Huskies in scoring,
averaging 11.4 points per game and pulled down 5.2 rebounds per game, third-best
on the squad. She notched career highs in points (24), rebounds (13), and
assists (7) during the season. She reached double figures in scoring 19 times
and in rebounding four times, while registering three "double-doubles".
The 5-foot-9 forward shot 46 percent from the field, 64 percent from the
line, dished out 55 assists and recorded 33 steals in 27 games. She previously
was named to the All-Little East Conference first team and the 2001 LEC All-
Tournament team. She was an All-LEC second team selection last year.
Crockett, a Bangor High School product, was the Huskies third leading
scorer, averaging 11.1 points per game, and finished second in rebounding,
grabbing 6.6 boards per game. She recorded 92 blocked shots this season, fourth
best in school history, and led the Little East Conference with 3.4 blocked
shots per game. She was ranked fifth in the nation in blocked shot average in
the latest NCAA Division III statistics.
Twice this season, the 6-foot center blocked nine shots in a single game,
one shy of the school record, and has 141 career blocks after two seasons, sixth
most in the program's history. She led the team in field goal percentage
(.548), making 121 of 221 shots, made 67 percent of her free throws, scored in
double digits 16 times, reached double figures in rebounding four times and
notched three "double-doubles". She also registered single-game career highs in
points (19), rebounds (16), and assists (5). Crockett was twice selected Little
East Conference Player of the Week this season, was named to the LEC Honor Roll
three times and was chosen as the 2001 LEC tournament's Most Outstanding Player
Cressler, a graduate of Camden-Rockport High School averaged 9.4 points,
fourth on the Huskies scoring list, and 3.4 rebounds. She led the squad in
three-point shooting percentage, making 34 of 77 shots from behind the three-
point arc (44 percent). She shot 48 percent from the floor overall and 66
percent from the charity stripe. Cressler also handed out 48 assists and had 26
steals in 27 games. She reached double figures in scoring 13 times, including a
team-high 14 points in the Huskies' NCAA first round tournament game at
Springfield College.
The 5-foot-8 sharpshooting guard posted single-game highs of 17 points,
seven rebounds, and four assists. Cressler was selected as Little East
Conference Rookie of the Week once and was also named to the 2001 LEC All-
Tournament Team.
Southern Maine finished its season 20-7 overall, extending its NCAA
women's record for winning 20 or more games to 21 consecutive seasons. The
Huskies qualified for the NCAA Division III national tournament for the seventh
straight season and 15th time in the last 16 years. USM lost to Springfield
College, 60-49, in a first-round NCAA game on February 28.
2000-2001 Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association Awards
First Team All-State
Kate McLaughlin, Bates College
Stacey Gelinas, St. Joseph's College
Kristi Royer, Bowdoin College
Amanda Rodgerson, University of New England
Becky Roak, University of Maine Farmington
Second Team All-State
Kara Crockett, University of Southern Maine
Amanda Kimball, University of Southern Maine
Lora Trenkle, Bowdoin College
Sue Picard, St. Joseph's College
Michele Plant, University of New England
All-Rookie Team
Missy Stults, University of New England
Betsy Elmer, University of Maine Machias
Meg Cressler, University of Southern Maine
Lauren Dubois, Bates College
Rachel Larlee, University of Maine Presque Isle
Abbie Rice, St. Joseph's College
Player of the Year
Sarah Walsh, Colby College
Rookie of the Year
Lora Trenkle, Bowdoin College
Coach of the Year
Curt Smyth, University of New England
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Wednesday, February 28, 2001
NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament
Northeast Region - First Round Game
Big Second Half Lifts Pride Past Huskies, 60-49
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- The Springfield College Pride shot a blistering 54
percent (13 of 24) from the floor in the second half to overcome a five-point
deficit and go on to defeat the University of Southern Maine Huskies, 60-49, in
a first round game of the 2001 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship
Tournament at Blake Arena Wednesday night.
The win vaults the Pride, champions of the New England Women's and Men's
Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) making their first appearance in the Division III
tournament, into a second round game against Emmanuel College in Boston on
Saturday afternoon. The Pride won their eighth straight game to improve to 24-4
on the season.
Southern Maine, champions of the Little East Conference for the fifth
straight season, ended its season 20-7 overall. This is the first time since
1995 that the Huskies, who were making their seventh straight appearance in the
tournament, have been knocked out in the first round.
Tailing by five (26-21) early in the second half, the Pride went on a 13-0
run led by NEWMAC Player of the Year, junior Kelly Thompson (Albany, N.Y.).
Thompson scored six straight points to break a 26-26 tie and give Springfield
the lead for good. Junior Katie Strong (Newington, Conn.) also contributed five
points during the run.
The Pride put the game away midway through the half with an 11-1 run that
expanded their lead to 50-33 with 5:48 to play. Junior Jess Sherman (Bloomfield
Hills, Mich.) had four points during the outburst. Southern Maine got no closer
than nine (58-49) the rest of the way.
In the first half, the two teams combined to shoot just 15 of 56 from the
floor. The Huskies trailed by four (10-6) five minutes into the game before
going on an 11-0 run to take a seven-point lead. Sophomore Kara Crockett
(Glenburn, Maine) ignited the run with a lay-up and free throw for a three-point
play, and had five points during the five-minute span. Freshman Meg Cressler
(Appleton, Maine) and sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) also hit shots from
beyond the three-point arc.
Springfield came back over the final nine minutes to pull within one (21-
20) on senior Cara McMahon's (Springfield, Mass.) three-point shot with 1:50 to
go, but the Pride were not able to regain the lead and went to the locker room
trailing at the break, 22-20.
Strong paced four Springfield players in double figures with 14 points.
Sherman posted a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. Thompson and
McMahon each tossed in 11 points.
Cressler shared game-high scoring honors with Strong, scoring 14 points.
Sophomore Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) added 11 points, 12 rebounds and six
blocked shots for the Huskies.
Southern Maine never got on track from the floor in the second half,
making just 9 of 27 shots (33 percent) to finish the game shooting only 32
percent from the field. Springfield, which made just 7 of 30 shots in the first
half, finished the game shooting 37 percent (20 of 54). The Pride won the
battle of the boards, 45-35.
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Tuesday, February 26, 2001
USM's Amanda Kimball and Erin Shaw Receive LEC Honors
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior co-captains Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) and
Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies women's
basketball team have been selected to the 2000-01 Little East Conference all-
star team, following balloting by the conference's eight head coaches. The
announcement was made Monday afternoon by the conference commissioner, William
M. Moore.
Kimball, who earned second team all-conference honors last year, was named
to the LEC all-star first team. Shaw was selected to the LEC all-star second
team. The honor is the first of the 5-foot-5 guard's four-year career.
Kimball, a product of Kennebunk High School, leads the Huskies squad in
scoring, averaging 11.6 points a game. She also is pulling down 5.2 rebounds
per game. She is shooting 46 percent from the field, 64 percent from the free
throw line, and has passed out 52 assists and made 31 steals in 26 games this
season.
The 5-foot-9 forward was named to the Little East Conference All-
Tournament team for her play in the Huskies' victories over Plymouth State and
Western Connecticut last weekend..
Shaw, a Mt. Desert Island High School graduate, is averaging 11.3 points,
second on the Huskies' squad. She leads the Little East Conference in three-
point field goal percentage (.431), making 56-of-130 from beyond the arc. She
was ranked fourth nationally in Division III by the NCAA in three-point field
goal shooting percentage.
Southern Maine, which has won three straight, 13 of its last 14, and 17 of
its last 19 games, is 20-6 on the season. The Huskies won the Little East
Conference Tournament last Saturday to secure the automatic bid to the NCAA
Division III National Tournament. USM will travel to Springfield College
Wednesday (February 28) for a 7:00 p.m. first round NCAA tournament game.
2000-01 Little East Conference Women's Basketball All-Stars
First Team
Player Class Position Institution Hometown
Allison Coleman Freshman Forward Eastern Connecticut State Univ. Jewett City, Conn.
Courtney Albert Sophomore Forward Plymouth State College Hudson, N.H.
Erika Forsberg Junior Forward Keene State College Laconia, N.H.
Kristyn Grassi Junior Forward Eastern Connecticut State Univ. Tolland, Conn.
Amanda Kimball Senior Forward University of Southern Maine Arundel, Maine
Darcy Mund Junior Guard Eastern Connecticut State Univ. Marlborough, Conn.
Jenn Pelletier Sophomore Guard Plymouth State College Derry, N.H.
Second Team
Player Class Position Institution Hometown
Arianna Dolock Senior Forward Western Connecticut State Univ. Charlestown, R.I.
Margot Fleming Senior Forward Keene State College Delhi, N.Y.
Andreen Gilpin Sophomore Forward Univ. of Massachusetts Boston Boston, Mass.
Sarah Linn Junior Guard Keene State College Brattleboro, Vt.
Erin Shaw Senior Guard University of Southern Maine Hancock, Maine
Krystyna Zagorski Senior Forward Plymouth State College Matawan, N.J.
Player of the Year
Allison Coleman Freshman Forward Eastern Connecticut State Univ. Jewett City, Conn.
Rookie of the Year
Allison Coleman Freshman Forward Eastern Connecticut State Univ. Jewett City, Conn.
Coach of the Year
Denise Bierly, Eastern Connecticut State University
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Sunday, February 25, 2001
USM Huskies to Play at Springfield College in NCAA First Round
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Huskies women's
basketball team, tournament champions of the Little East Conference for the
fifth straight year and 12th time in the last 15 years, will travel to
Springfield, Mass., on Wednesday to play the Springfield College Pride in the
first round of the Northeast Regional of the 2001 NCAA Division III Women's
Basketball Championship Tournament. The entire 50-team tournament field was
announced by the Sue Lauder, chair of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball
Selection Committee, and Nichole Manning, Assistant Director of Championships
and NCAA liaison to the selection committee, Sunday evening.
The Huskies (20-6), who earned the automatic berth in the tournament by
defeating Western Connecticut State University, 59-46, in the championship game
of the Little East tournament last Saturday, will play Springfield, champions of
the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). The winner of
that game will take on Emmanuel College, champions of the Great Northeast
Conference, in a second round game on Saturday.
In the other half of the regional bracket, Bowdoin College, champion of
the New England Small College Athletic Conference, will travel to Eastern
Connecticut State University, an at-large selection to the tournament, for a
game on Wednesday. The winner of that game will play Salem State College,
champion of the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference, in the second
round.
This will be Southern Maine's seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA
tournament, and 15th in the last 16 seasons since moving from the National
Association for Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) to the NCAA in 1985. The
Huskies best finishes in the tournament were second place efforts in 1998 and
2000, and fourth place in 1988. USM has compiled a 28-15 mark in NCAA
tournament play.
Southern Maine compiled a 20-6 overall record this season, winning 17 of
its last 19 games after a 3-4 start. The Huskies, who received a first round
bye, advanced through the Little East Conference tournament beating the Plymouth
State College and Western Connecticut State University to earn the automatic
berth in the NCAA tournament.
NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship Tournament
University of Southern Maine vs. Springfield College
Who: University of Southern Maine vs. Springfield College
When: Wednesday February 28, 2001, Time - tba
Where: Blake Arena, Springfield, Mass.
Team Info: Southern Maine 20-6 overall, 12-2 Little East Conference (tied
for first place)
Little East tournament champion (fifth consecutive year)
7th straight NCAA tournament appearance, 15th in the last 16 years since
moving from NAIA to NCAA in 1985.
All-time record in NCAA play is 28-15.
Best finishes - 2nd place in 1998 and 2000
4th place in 1988
Last year - First round bye. Advanced to the championship game beating
Salem State, Clark, Rowan, and St. Thomas (Minn.).
Lost in the championship game to Washington University (Mo.)
Head Coach: Gary Fifield (Vermont '74, 346-64, .844 pct. overall
collegiate record)
USM Scoring Leaders: - Amanda Kimball, Sr., F, 11.6 ppg; Erin Shaw, Sr., G,
11.3 ppg; Kara Crockett, Soph., F, 11.2 ppg; Meg Cressler, Frosh., F/G. 9/3
ppg; Niki Dominiczak, Jr., F, 8.1 ppg; Jess Libby, Soph., G/F, 8.1 ppg
USM Rebounding Leaders - Dominiczak, 6.9 rpg; Crockett, 6.4 rpg; Kimball 5.2 rpg.
USM Assist Leaders - Libby, 4.2 apg; Dominiczak 3.5 apg ; Shaw 2.4 apg.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, February 24, 2001
Southern Maine Defeats Western Connecticut 59-46 to Win Little East Conference Title
Huskies Advance to NCAA Tournament; USM Reaches 20 Wins for the 21st Consecutive Year
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Sophomore forward Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine)
paced three players in double figures with 17 points, including 13 in the second
half, as the University of Southern Maine Huskies defeated the Western
Connecticut State University Colonials, 59-46, in the championship game of the
Little East Conference tournament Saturday afternoon at Geissler Gymnasium on
the campus of Eastern Connecticut State University.
The tournament crown is the Huskies fifth straight, and 12th in the 15-
year history of the conference, and advances them into the NCAA Division III
Tournament for the seventh consecutive year. The entire 50-team tournament
field and pairings will be announced Sunday night (9:00 p.m. EST).
With the win, USM improved to 20-6 overall and reached the 20-win mark for
the 21st consecutive year, an NCAA Division III women's basketball record. It
was the fourth time in the last five years that the Huskies and Colonials have
met in the Little East championship game.
Western Connecticut, which came into the tournament as the fifth seed and
riding a five-game losing skid that included a 27-point loss to USM in the
regular season finale, upset fourth seeded Keene State College on Tuesday and
top seeded Eastern Connecticut State University Friday night to reach the
championship game. The Colonials finished the season 11-16 overall.
Crockett, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, came up
big in the second half after playing just seven minutes in the first half before
going to the bench with four points and two fouls. The 6-foot forward made 4 of
6 shots from the floor and all five of her free throws for 13 points after the
intermission. She finished the game making 6 of 8 shots from the floor.
Crockett had 19 points and nine blocked shots in the Huskies semifinal win over
Plymouth State on Friday.
Tied 21-21 at halftime, the Huskies outscored the Colonials 17-5 over the
first eight minutes of the second half to take command. Crockett had five
points in the run, including a three-point play that gave the Huskies the lead
for good. Senior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine), who was also named to the
all-tournament team, had four points during the decisive stretch.
Western Connecticut, which shot just 25 percent (9 for 36) from the floor
in the second half, put together an 11-2 run to pull within seven (49-42) on
freshman Lindsay Johnson's (Deer Park, Texas) three-pointer with 2:30 to play,
but Crockett broke the momentum with her final basket. USM converted 8 of 10
free throws in the final two minutes to insure the victory.
The first half was a defensive struggle as neither team led by more than
four points. There were six ties and three lead changes. USM had its biggest
lead (21-17) after freshman Megan Cressler (Appleton, Maine) converted an old-
fashion three-play with 4:34 to go, but the Huskies would not score again before
the break. Western Conn. had the final four points of the half.
Southern Maine got a big lift from Cressler off the bench as she tossed in
14 points, eight in the first half when neither team generated much offense, and
was named to the all-tournament team. Kimball also finished in double figures
with 11 points. Junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) led all players with
11 rebounds.
Freshman Christin Morgatto (Seymour, Conn.) led the Colonials upset bid,
pouring in 17 points to share game-high scoring honors with Crockett. Morgatto,
who made 8 of 12 shots from the field, was the only Western Connecticut player
to reach double figures.
Also named to the all-tournament team from Western Connecticut were senior
Chrissy Camella (Monroe, Conn.) and Morgatto, and junior Megan Fournier (East
Waterboro, Maine) of Plymouth State College.
*******************************************************************************
Friday, February 23, 2001
USM Huskies Advance to LEC Final, Defeat PSC Panthers 72-65
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Sophomore Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) scored a
game-high 19 points and blocked a tournament single-game record nine shots,
including eight in the second half, to lead the second-seeded University of
Southern Maine Huskies to a hard-fought, 72-65 victory over the third-seeded
Plymouth State College Panthers Friday night in the first semifinal game of the
2001 Little East Conference Women's Basketball Championship Tournament being
played at Eastern Connecticut State University. The game was a rematch of last
season's LEC championship game.
The win moved the Huskies, winners of the last four LEC tournaments, into
their seventh straight tournament championship game Saturday afternoon against
fifth-seeded Western Connecticut State University, which upset top-seeded in-
state rival Eastern Connecticut State, 63-54.
Southern Maine has won its last two games, and 12 of its last 13, to
improve to 19-6 overall. Plymouth State, which had its school record tying
nine-game winning streak snapped, falls to 19-7 overall and awaits a possible
ECAC postseason tournament bid.
Crockett connected on 8 of 11 shots from the floor and 3 of 6 from the
foul line for her game high scoring honors. The 6-foot forward also grabbed six
rebounds.
Unlike the teams two regular season meetings that saw PSC jump out to big
early leads, the Huskies jumped out to the lead with an impressive inside game.
Crockett and junior forward Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) combined for half
of USM's 34 first half points as the Huskies built a
34-27 lead at the break. Crockett had 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting
PSC took its first of two leads (18-17) in the game on a basket by junior
Megan Fournier (East Waterboro, Maine) with just under eight minutes left in the
first half. After the teams swapped the lead, USM went on a 6-0 run as Crockett
converted a three-point play and senior Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) buried a shot
from beyond the three-point shot to put USM ahead for good.
The Panthers stayed close throughout the second half, closing the gap to
one point on six occasions. The last time PSC was within a single point (57-56)
came when sophomore Jenn Pelletier (Derry, N.H.) converted two free throws with
6:45 to play. Freshman Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine) responded for the Huskies
with a three-point shot, and USM was able to preserve its lead over the final
five minutes.
Five players accounted for all the USM scoring in the game. In addition
to Crockett, Cressler finished with 16 points, Shaw had 14, senior Amanda
Kimball (Arundel, Maine) contributed 12 points and nine rebounds before fouling
out, and Dominiczak finished with 11 points. Sophomore Jess Libby (Orono,
Maine) had a "double-double" without scoring a point, grabbing a game-high 10
rebounds and dishing out a career-high 11 assists.
Pelletier and sophomore Courtney Albert (Hudson, N.H.) led the Panthers
with 14 points each. Fournier finished with 12 points.
*******************************************************************************
Thursday, February 22, 2001
Little East Conference Tournament Semifinals
Game: #2 University of Southern Maine Huskies versus #3 Plymouth State College Panthers
Date & Time: Friday, February 23, 6:00 p.m.
Site: Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium, Eastern Connecticut State University,
Willimantic, Conn.
Records: Southern Maine (18-6; 12-2 LEC) Plymouth State (19-6; 10-4 LEC)
All-time Series Record: Southern Maine leads 45-6
2000-2001 Results: Southern Maine won 61-59, at Gorham, January 23.
Plymouth State won 79-75, at Plymouth, February 13
Players to Watch: Southern Maine -- Amanda Kimball, Sr., F (11.6 ppg, 5.2
rpg); Erin Shaw, Sr., G (11.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 53 three-point FGM, 45.3% 3pt/FG% =
ranked fourth nationally); Kara Crockett, So., F/C (10.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 53.4%
FG, 75 blocked shots = 3.1 p/g = ranked fifth nationally); Meg Cressler, Fr., G
(8.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 26 three-point FG, 43.3 % 3pt/FG); Jess Libby, So., G/F (8.6
ppg, 3.4 rpg, 95 assists); Niki Dominiczak, Jr., F (8.1 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 89
assists).
Plymouth State -- Courtney Albert, So., F/C (14.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 51.2 % FG);
Krystyna Zagorski, Sr., F (12.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg); Jenn Pelletier, So., G (12.2 ppg,
5.2 rpg, 105 assists); Megan Fournier, Jr., G/F (9.0 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 72 assists);
Whitney Morin, So., G (8.8 ppg, 2.6 rpg); Kate Fillion, Sr., G/F (7.0 ppg, 3.2
rpg); Heather Adey, So., F (6.3 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 52.8 % FG)
Notes: Southern Maine received a first round tournament bye. Plymouth State
defeated #6 Rhode Island College 70-63 in a first round game Tuesday (February
20). Southern Maine has won the last four Little East Conference tournaments,
and 11 of 14 since the conference's inception in 1987. Southern Maine defeated
Plymouth State 87-40 in last year's championship game at Danbury, Conn. The
winner of the Little East Conference Tournament receives an automatic bid to the
2001 NCAA Division III National Tournament. The 50 team field will be announced
Sunday evening. Southern Maine is ranked number eight in the latest NCAA
Division III Northeast Regional poll and seventh in the New England Women's
Basketball Association poll and is the defending women's Division III national
runner-up. The Huskies have advanced to the final four twice in the last three
seasons. Southern Maine is ranked fifth nationally in field goal percentage =
46.8 % and second in three-point field goal percentage = 39.6 %. Plymouth State
has won a program record-tying nine straight games. The Panthers average 79.4
ppg = eighth ranked nationally.
Game: #1 Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors vs. #5 Western
Connecticut State University Colonials
Date & Time: Friday, February 23, 8:00 p.m.
Site: Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium, Eastern Connecticut State University,
Willimantic, Conn.
Records: Eastern Connecticut (22-2; 12-2 LEC) Western Connecticut (10-15; 6-8 LEC)
All-time Series Record: Eastern Connecticut leads 18-16
2000-2001 Results: Eastern Connecticut won 74-67, at Williamantic, January 16
and 62-61, at Danbury, February 6.
Players to Watch: Eastern Connecticut -- Allison Coleman, Fr., F (17.5 ppg,
9.2 rpg, 107 assists); Kristyn Grassi, Jr., C/F (17.4 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 63.9 % FG =
ranked third nationally); Joanna Debicki, Jr., F (12.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg); Darcy
Mund, Jr., G (11.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 147 assists/6.1apg = ranked sixth nationally);
Kathleen Burdelski, Fr., G (5.6 ppg, 3.8 rpg). Western Connecticut --
Arianna Dolock, Sr., F (11.9 ppg, 6.0 rpg); Shanna Fairchild, Jr., F (7.9 ppg,
4.7 rpg); Christin Morgatto, Fr., F (7.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg); Lindsay Johnson, Fr., F
(7.4 ppg, 3.9 rpg); Jasmine Arroyo, Jr., F (6.6 ppg, 4.3 rpg); Chrissy Camella,
Sr., G (4.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 66 assists)
Notes: Eastern Connecticut is ranked number one in the latest NCAA Division III
Northeast Regional poll and second in the NEWBA poll. The Warriors are ranked
17th nationally in the latest D3Hoops.com poll and 12th in the USA Today/WBCA
poll. Eastern Connecticut is scoring 75.5 ppg = ranked 18th nationally.
Western Connecticut will host the women's NCAA Division III Final Four March
16&17 at the O'Neil Center for the third consecutive season.
The Little East Conference Championship game is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Saturday
February 24 at the Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium, Eastern Connecticut State
University.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 20, 2001
NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION DIVISION III
WEEKLY DIVISION III POLL
Release Date of Poll - Tuesday, February 20, 2001 (Poll #8)
Rank Team (Record) 1st-Place Pts Last Poll
1. Emmanuel College (22-2) 7 119 1
2. Eastern Connecticut St. U. (22-2) 4 118 2
3. Amherst College (21-3) 2 103 3
4. Salem State College (21-3) 89 4
5T. Springfield College (20-4) 59 8
5T. Wellesley College (18-3) 59 6
7. U. of Southern Maine (18-6) 48 5
8. Colby College (18-6) 42 7
9. St. Joseph's College (Me.) (20-4) 22 10
10T. Bowdoin College (16-7) 19 9
10T. Plymouth State College (18-6) 19 NR
Also Receiving Votes: Bates 12
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Saturday, February 17, 2001
Huskies Smother Colonials, 60-33
DANBURY, Conn. -- The University of Southern Maine Huskies used a
stifling defense and red-hot shooting to wallop the Western Connecticut State
Colonials, 60-33, in a Little East Conference women's college basketball regular
season finale Saturday afternoon at the O'Neil Center.
Southern Maine, which has won 15 of its last 17 games, concluded the
regular season at 18-6 overall. The Huskies finished tied with Eastern
Connecticut State University for first place in the Little East Conference at
12-2. USM has received a first round bye and will play in the semifinal round
Friday (February 23) against the winner of Tuesday's first round game between
third seeded Plymouth State (18-6, 10-4 LEC) and sixth seeded Rhode Island
College (7-16, 4-10 LEC) at a location and time to be determined.
Western Connecticut finished at 9-15 overall and 6-8 in the conference.
The fifth seeded Colonials will visit fourth seeded Keene State College (16-8,
8-6 LEC) in a first round tournament game on Tuesday (February 20).
Both teams opened the game slowly and were tied at 6-6 after four-and-a-
half minutes. Freshman Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine) started a 23-0 Huskies
run over the next ten minutes with a three-point basket at 14:24. Six different
Huskies scored during the run, led by seniors Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) and
Megan Rombalski (South Portland, Maine) who each scored six points. Sophomore
Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) chipped in five points as USM blew the game wide open.
Western Connecticut senior Chrissy Camella (Monroe, Conn.) finally snapped
the Colonials' drought with a bucket at 4:04 to make the score 29-8. The teams
traded hoops over the final four minutes of the period as USM went to the locker
room leading 35-12 at halftime.
Southern Maine used a tenacious defense to limit the Colonials to just
four field goals in the first half, on ice-cold 16 percent (4-of-25) shooting.
The Huskies blistered the net at a 60 percent clip (15-of-25) during the first
half.
USM's margin never dipped below 20 points in the second half as Western
Connecticut continued to struggle from the floo. Southern Maine's lead peaked
at 29 points, 55-26, on a free throw by senior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine)
with 5:42 to play as the Huskies cruised home to the victory.
Libby led all scorers with 11 points and also distributed a game-high six
assists. Rombalski scored a career-high ten points on 4-of-6 field goal
shooting, while Shaw added nine markers, all in the first half. Cressler and
junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) each cleaned the glass for a game-high
seven rebounds. Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) was immense on
the defensive end for the Huskies, registering seven blocked shots.
No Colonial reached double figures in scoring. Camella notched eight
points while seniors Arianna Dolock (Charlestown, R.I.) and Erin Zagaski
(Colchester, Conn.) each contributed six.
Southern Maine finished the day shooting 51 percent (24-of-47) and
outrebounded Western Connecticut 42-33. The Colonials make only 22 percent (13-
of-59) of their field goal attempts.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 13, 2001
Panthers Snap Huskies Winning Streak at Ten, 79-75
PLYMOUTH, N.H. -- Senior Krystyna Zagorski (Matawan, N.J.) and junior
Brooke Randall (Harrisville, R.I.) paced five players in double figures with 18
points each to lead the Plymouth State College Panthers to a 79-75 victory over
the University of Southern Maine Huskies in Little East Conference women's
college basketball action Tuesday evening at the Foley Gymnasium.
Plymouth State has won six in a row to improve 16-6 overall and clinched
third place in the conference with a 9-4 record. The Panthers also extended
their home-court winning streak to 16 games. PSC will host a first round LEC
tournament game on Tuesday (February 20).
Southern Maine, which had won ten straight and 14 of its last 15 games,
dipped to 17-6 on the season. The Huskies are tied with Eastern Connecticut
State University for first place in the Little East Conference at 11-2. The
Huskies already clinched a first round bye in the LEC tournament and will play
in the semifinal round February 23 at a location and time still to be
determined.
Plymouth State opened the game red-hot, charging out to a 24-4 advantage
after just eight minutes. Southern Maine responded with 22-6 run over the next
six-and-a-half minutes to cut the margin to 30-26 with 5:23 in the half. Senior
Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine), sophomore Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) and
freshman Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine) each scored six points during the run.
USM hung close over the final five minutes to trail 39-33 at the break.
Southern Maine stayed within eight points of the Panthers through the
early part of the second half before tying the game on a jumper by Shaw with
15:03 remaining. Shaw hit a three-pointer 33 seconds later to give the Huskies
their first lead, 50-47. Crockett followed with a bucket at 13:30, giving USM
its largest lead of the night, 52-47.
Over the next eight minutes, the lead changed hands six times and there
were three ties. Southern Maine took a 71-68 lead on a pair of free throws by
Cressler with 5:26 left before Plymouth State ran off nine straight points to
take a 77-71 lead with 3:43 left. Sophomore Courtney Albert (Hudson, N.H.)
scored four points for the Panthers in the run, including the go-ahead hoop at
4:43.
Senior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) finally broke the Panther streak
with a bucket at 2:55, but Randall answered 15 seconds later. USM sophomore
Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) scored the game's final basket with 2:25 to play.
Neither team scored in the final two minutes.
Zagorski grabbed a team-high eight rebounds to go with her team-leading 18
points. Randall came off the Panthers' bench to equal Zagorsky's total on 8-of-
10 field goal shooting. Sophomore Jenn Pelletier (Derry, N.H.) recorded a
"double-double" for PSC, scoring 13 points and dishing out a game-high 13
assists. Senior Kate Fillion (Littleton, N.H.) added 12 points while Albert
finished with 11.
Shaw equaled her career high with a game-high 23 points, including five
baskets from behind the arc. Crockett notched the second "double-double" of her
USM career, scoring 17 points on 7-of-10 shooting, and pulled down a game-high
15 rebounds. She also had six blocked shots. Libby and Cressler each added 10
points for the Huskies. USM hurt itself committing 20 turnovers.
Southern Maine concludes the regular season on Saturday (February 17) with
a 1:00 p.m. Little East Conference game at Western Connecticut State University.
Plymouth State travels to Eastern Nazarene College on Thursday (February 15) for
a 6:00 p.m. match-up in its next action.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 13, 2001
NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION
WEEKLY DIVISION III POLL
Release Date of Poll - Tuesday, February 13, 2001 (Poll #7)
Rk Team (Record) 1st-Place Votes Points Last Poll
1. Emmanuel College (20-2) 11 153 1
2. Eastern Connecticut St. U. (20-2) 4 143 2
3. Amherst College (19-3) 109 3
4. Salem St. College (18-3) 1 104 T5
5. U. of Southern Maine (17-5) 90 T5
6. Wellesley College (16-3) 79 7
7. Colby College (17-5) 62 9
8. Springfield College (18-4) 57 8
9. Bowdoin College (14-6) 37 4
10. St. Joseph's College (Me.) (18-4) 26 10
Also Receiving Votes: Bates 11
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, February 10, 2001
Shaw, Huskies Sink Anchorwomen for Tenth Straight Win, 87-40
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) scored a game-high 18
points on 7-of-8 shooting from the field to lead the University of Southern
Maine Huskies to a lopsided 87-40 victory over the Rhode Island College
Anchorwomen in Little East Conference action Saturday afternoon at the Warren G.
Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine has won ten straight games, and 14 of its last 15, to
improve to 17-5 on the season. The Huskies remained in first place in the Little
East Conference at 11-1. Rhode Island College drops to 6-14 overall and 3-9 in
conference play. With the victory, USM clinched a first-round bye in the
upcoming Little East Conference Tournament. The Huskies will play in the
semifinal round Friday, February 23 at a location and time to be determined.
Southern Maine came out sizzling, jumping to a 16-2 lead after just six
minutes on a three-point basket by Shaw. USM continued its torrid shooting
throughout the half, pushing the lead to 46-20 at the break. The Huskies made a
torrid 18-of-24 (75 percent) from the floor in the first half while holding the
Anchorwomen to only 26 percent (8-of-31).
USM continued to scorch the net in the second half, shooting 52 percent
from the field (17-of-33) while building its lead to as much as 49 points (87-
38).
Shaw, who is second in the conference in three-point field goal
percentage, made 4-of-5 shots from behind the arc on the way to her 18 points.
Classmate Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) scored 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting,
while grabbing seven rebounds. Senior Megan Rombalski (South Portland, Maine)
added nine points in a starting role for the Huskies, while freshman Sunshine
Anders (Bowdoinham, Maine) came off the bench to also chip in nine points. All
12 Huskies who saw action scored as USM worked its offense effectively, totaling
23 assists on 35 baskets. No USM player logged more than 25 minutes.
Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) pulled down a game-high
eight boards for the Huskies while junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine)
dished out a contest-best five assists.
Senior Beth Iacoi (Westerly, R.I.) paced the Anchorwomen with 14 points.
Freshman Liz Shields (Warwick, R.I.) joined her in double digits, scoring ten
points.
Southern Maine finished the day shooting 61 percent (35-of-57) while Rhode
Island College struggled to a 26 percent (15-of-59) mark.
Southern Maine plays Tuesday (February 13) at Plymouth State College in a
5:30 p.m. Little East Conference matchup. Rhode Island College entertains
Western Connecticut Tuesday in an LEC game at 5:30 p.m.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 6, 2001
Libby, Huskies Extinguish Beacons for Ninth Straight Win, 81-54
GORHAM, Maine --All five starters scored in double figures, led by
sophomore Jess Libby's (Orono, Maine) career-high 17 points, as the University
of Southern Maine Huskies rolled to an easy 81-54 victory over the University of
Massachusetts Boston Beacons in Little East Conference women's college
basketball action Tuesday evening at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine has won nine straight and 13 of its last 14 games to
improve to 16-5 on the season. The Huskies remain in first place in the Little
East Conference at 10-1. UMass Boston dips to 8-11 overall and 2-9 in
conference play.
Senior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) sparked the Huskies in the first
half, scoring 10 of her 16 points as the Huskies built a 15-2 margin just six
minutes into the game. Libby added eight points in the period as Southern Maine
went to the locker room with a 33-21 advantage at the break.
The Huskies opened the second half with a 15-6 burst, building their lead
to 48-29 on a three-pointer by senior Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) with 14:56 to
play. UMass Boston never threatened as USM steadily increased its margin,
peaking at 34 points, 81-47, on a lay-up by freshman Larisa Sobey (Pittsfield,
Maine) with 3:05 left.
Libby dished out a game-high eight assists and snared six rebounds to go
along with her 17 points. Kimball hit 7-of-10 shots from the floor and both her
free throw attempts for 16 points. Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn,
Maine) just missed another "double-double", scoring 14 points and grabbing a
team-high nine rebounds. Shaw made 3-of-5 shots from behind the arc, to tally
13 points. Versatile junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) joined the double
figure parade with 10 points, and added five rebounds and five assists.
Beacons' sophomore Andreen Gilpin (Boston, Mass.), the conference's
leading rebounder, registered a "double-double", scoring ten points and hauling
down a game-high 12 boards. Classmate Jamila Gales (Boston, Mass.) also scored
ten points, but no other Beacon reached double digits.
Southern Maine shot very consistently for the entire game, making 52
percent of its field goal attempts in each half to finish 30-for-58 on the
evening. The Huskies defense held the Beacons to a frigid 27 percent (18-for-
68) from the floor.
Southern Maine next plays Saturday (February 10) when the Huskies host
Rhode Island College in a 1:00 p.m. Little East Conference matchup. UMass
Boston entertains Plymouth State Saturday in an LEC game at 1:00 p.m.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 6, 2001
NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION DIVISION III
WEEKLY DIVISION III POLL
Release Date of Poll, Tuesday, February 6, 2001 (Poll #6)
Rank Team (Record) 1st-Place Points Last Poll
1. Emmanuel College (17-2) 10 123 2
2. Eastern Connecticut St. U. (18-2) 2 100 1
3. Amherst College (17-3) 87 5
4. Bowdoin College (14-4) 81 8
5T. Salem St. College (15-3) 1 70 4
5T. U. of Southern Maine (15-5) 70 10
7. Wellesley College (14-3) 60 3
8. Springfield College (16-4) 37 6
9. Colby College (15-5) 35 7
10. St. Joseph's College (Me.) (17-4) 20 9
Also Receiving Votes: M.I.T. 16, Bates 9
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, February 3, 2001
Crockett, Libby Power Huskies Over Top-Ranked Warriors, 60-47
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) scored
a game-high 17 points and sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) added 14 points on
5-of-5 field goal shooting to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a
convincing 60-47 victory over the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors
in Little East Conference women's college basketball action Saturday afternoon
at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine has now won eight straight and twelve of its last thirteen
games to improve to 15-5 overall, and grabbed sole possession of first place in
the Little East Conference at 9-1. Eastern Connecticut had its 15-game winning
streak snapped, absorbing its second loss of the season to dip to 18-2 overall
and 8-2 in conference play. Eastern Connecticut was ranked 14th nationally in
the D3Hoops.com poll and ninth in the USA Today/WBCA national poll.
Eastern Connecticut scored the game's first five points to take the early
advantage. Crockett quickly brought the Huskies even with two buckets and a
free throw, tying the game at the 16:44 mark. The Warriors took a two-point
advantage five times over the next four-and-a-half minutes, but the Huskies
answered each hoop with a score of their own, three of those buckets coming from
Libby.
Freshman Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine) put the Huskies ahead for the
first time, 16-15, with three-point bomb from the top of the key off a nice pass
from Crockett. It was a lead the Huskies would never relinquish, as USM went on
a 13-2 run to take 26-17 lead and force a Warrior timeout with 7:35 left. The
Huskies continued to light it up from the floor as Crockett, Libby and Cressler
scored all but two of USM's next 22 points to build the lead to 38-24 with 0:45
remaining. Southern Maine finished the period with a 38-26 advantage, shooting
57 percent (16-for-28) while holding the Warriors to 29 percent (11-for-38).
USM opened the second half with a quick 6-0 run to build an 18-point
margin, 44-26, with 17:10 to play. The Huskies maintained a comfortable double-
digit lead for the next 14 minutes as the Warriors' shooting woes continued.
Eastern Connecticut made a final 8-0 run to cut the lead to nine, 54-45, on a
three-point basket by freshman Allison Coleman (Jewett City, Conn.) with 3:08
remaining, but Huskies' senior co-captain Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) hit a
key jumper in the lane at 2:32 to stem the tide and push the lead back to 11,
56-45.
Crockett hit 8-of-14 field goals and sank her only free throw attempt for
her 17 points. She also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds as did junior
Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine). Dominiczak also dished out a team-leading
four assists. Libby scored all 14 of her points in the first half, including
2-of-2 from behind the arc. Cressler turned in another strong performance off
the Huskies' bench, scoring 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor. Kimball
scored ten points for the Huskies, but her primary contribution came at the
defensive end as she held Coleman, the LEC's leading scorer, to just 15 points
on 6-of-20 shooting.
Coleman grabbed ten rebounds to post a "double-double." Junior teammate
Kristyn Grassi (Tolland, Conn.) also had a "double-double," scoring 13 points
and snaring ten caroms. Junior Darcy Mund (Marlborough, Conn.) tossed in ten
points for ECSU. Classmate Joanna Debicki (Shelton, Conn.) hauled down a game-
high 13 rebounds
USM held the Warriors to 27 percent shooting (19-for-70) on the day, while
making 44 percent (24-for-54) from the floor. The Warriors made only 3-of-22
from behind the arc. Eastern Connecticut out-rebounded the Huskies, 47-36. The
47 points was the lowest offensive output by the Warriors this season.
Southern Maine next plays Tuesday (February 6) at 5:30 p.m. when the
Huskies host the University of Massachusetts Boston in a Little East Conference
matchup. Eastern Connecticut travels to LEC rival Western Connecticut Tuesday
for their next action.
*******************************************************************************
Wednesday, January 31, 2001
Kimball and Cressler Rally Huskies Past Monks, 66-54
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) and freshman Meg
Cressler (Appleton, Maine) combined for 33 points and 12 rebounds to lead the
University of Southern Maine Huskies to an impressive 66-54, come-from-behind
victory over the St. Joseph's College Monks in a non-conference women's college
basketball game Wednesday evening at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine, which has won seven straight and eleven of its last twelve
games, improved to 14-5 overall. St. Joseph's, which had won nine in a row,
dipped to 16-3 on the year. Southern Maine was ranked sixth in this week's
Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association poll, while St. Joseph's is ranked
number one. Both teams also were ranked in the New England Women's Basketball
Association poll - USM tenth and St. Joe's ninth.
Southern Maine jumped ahead early in the game, maintaining a small lead
for the majority of the first half behind the hot shooting of Kimball, who
scored 14 of her game-high 18 points in the initial stanza. USM's largest
first-half margin was five points on four different occasions, the last coming
at 16-11 on a Kimball hoop with 9:07 to go.
St. Joseph's went on a 6-2 run over the next three minutes, taking its
first lead, 19-18, on a bucket by senior Cassie Turcotte (Peru, Maine). The
teams traded buckets over the next four minutes as the lead changed hands four
times. The Monks closed the half with a 10-6 run to lead 31-28 at the break.
Monks' senior Kendra Brown (Milford, Maine) canned a pair of free throws
at the 18:28 mark to give St. Joseph's its largest lead of the contest, 33-28.
The Monks maintained the lead over the next five minutes before Cressler took
over, scoring on a drive with 13:04 remaining to put the Huskies ahead to stay,
41-40.
Cressler drilled a three thirty seconds later for a 44-40 margin, but
Monks' junior Stacey Gelinas (Biddeford, Maine) answered with a three-point shot
to pull St. Joseph's within one, 44-43.
Southern Maine went on a 13-2 burst over the next six minutes, capped by a
nifty lay-up by sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) off a pass from
Cressler for a 57-45 margin at 6:15. Cressler scored 13 of her 15 points in the
final 13 minutes as the Huskies lead never dipped below eight points for the
remainder of the game.
Crockett recorded the first double-double of her USM career, scoring 12
points and hauling down a game-high 12 rebounds. Junior Niki Dominiczak
(Dixfield, Maine) played a fine all-around game for the Huskies, grabbing 11
boards, dishing out a game-high nine assists, and scoring eight points.
Junior Sue Picard (Saco, Maine) and freshman Abbie Rice (South Portland,
Maine) each scored 14 points to pace the Monks. Rice came off the bench to
record a double-double, tying for game rebounding honors with 12 caroms.
Gelinas added 11 points, including three hoops from behind the arc.
Southern Maine plays Saturday (February 3) when the Huskies host Little
East Conference co-leader Eastern Connecticut at 1:00 p.m. Southern Maine and
Eastern Connecticut are each 8-1 in LEC play. St. Joseph's travels to Green
Mountain College on Saturday in their next action.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 30, 2001
NEW ENGLAND WOMEN'S BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION DIVISION III
WEEKLY DIVISION III POLL
Rank Team (Record) 1st-Place Points Last Poll
1. Eastern Connecticut (17-1) 13 148 1
2. Emmanuel (16-2) 1 108 2
3. Wellesley (13-2) 1 99 3
4. Salem State (13-2) 88 T4
5. Amherst (15-3) 82 6
6. Springfield (14-3) 79 T4
7. Colby (13-4) 74 9
8. Bowdoin (12-4) 69 10
9. St. Joseph's (Me.) (16-2) 41 8
10. Southern Maine (13-5) 22 NR
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, January 27, 2001
Dominiczak Posts Double-Double to Lead Huskies Past Corsairs, 86-80
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- Junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine)
posted the second double-double of her career with career highs of 22 points and
13 rebounds to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a hard-fought,
86-80 victory over the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs in Little
East Conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Francis
Tripp Athletic Center.
Southern Maine, which has won six straight and ten of its last eleven
games, improved to 13-5 for the season and remains tied with Eastern Connecticut
for first place in the Little East at 8-1. UMass Dartmouth has dropped nine in
a row to dip to 3-13 overall and remains winless in conference play at 0-9.
Southern Maine used an early 7-0 run to forge an 18-8 lead with 11:58 gone
in the first half on a three-point hoop by sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine).
Freshman Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine) drilled a three with 7:52 left to give
the Huskies their largest margin of the day, 26-15, at 7:52. The Corsairs
narrowed the gap to 39-37 with 0:16 left on a pair of free throws by junior Jess
Cummings (Middleboro, Mass.) capping a 13-4 run. Libby scored with 0:02
remaining to give the Huskies a 41-37 edge at the break.
Cummings nailed a three-pointer just thirty seconds into the second half
to cut the Huskies lead to 41-40. Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn,
Maine) tallied six points in a 15-8 run over the next five minutes to give the
Huskies their largest second half margin, 56-48 with 14:45 to go.
UMass Dartmouth hung tough, outscoring the Huskies 20-11 during a ten-
minute stretch to take their only lead of the second half, 68-67, on a bucket by
senior Melissa Gears (Rochester, N.Y.) with 4:40 left.
Crockett scored to put the Huskies ahead to stay at the 3:50 mark. Libby
followed with four straight free throws and Crockett tallied USM's final basket
of the game at 2:07 to give USM a 75-71 margin. Cummings scored at 1:42 to cut
the margin to 75-73, but five different USM players canned 11-of-12 free throws
in the final 1:22 to seal the victory.
Dominiczak was immense for the Huskies, tying Cummings for game-high
scoring honors with 22 points and cleaning the glass for a game-high 13
rebounds. She also made 10-of-12 free throws. Crockett registered a career-high
with 19 points. Libby also posted a career high with 16 markers.
Gears and senior Katie Douglas (Sharon, Mass.) joined Cummings in double
digits for the Corsairs with 19 and 16 points, respectively.
Southern Maine finished with a huge advantage at the charity stripe,
making 33-of-39 attempts. The Corsairs made 17-of-20 free throws. The 80
points scored by UMass Dartmouth was the second-highest total allowed by
Southern Maine this season.
Southern Maine will host traditional rival St. Joseph's College Wednesday
(January 31) at 5:30 p.m. in its next action. UMass Dartmouth travels to
Wheaton College on Thursday (February 1) for a 7:00 p.m. contest.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 23, 2001
Huskies Rally Late to Nip Panthers, 61-59
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) made two free
throws with one minute remaining to give the University of Southern Maine
Huskies a dramatic, 61-59 come-from-behind victory over the Plymouth State
College Panthers in Little East Conference women's college basketball action
Tuesday evening at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine, which has won five straight and nine of its last ten
games, improves to 12-5 for the season and remains tied with Eastern Connecticut
for first place in the Little East Conference at 7-1. Plymouth State drops to
10-6 overall and 4-4 in conference play.
The Huskies came out ice-cold to start the game, quickly falling behind
the Panthers. Plymouth State went on an early 17-2 run to take a19-4 lead at
the 14:03 mark. USM's shooting woes continued as the Panthers built their
largest lead of the evening, 27-9, on a three-point basket by freshman Erica
Perry (Fryeburg, Maine) with 11:56 left. USM continued to trail through the
remainder of the half, cutting the Panthers' margin to ten, 38-28, at the break
on a three-pointer by sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) with 15 seconds to go.
USM began the second half with a 10-4 run, cutting the lead to 44-38 on a
put-back by sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) at the 16:13 mark.
After a Panthers' timeout, PSC increased its lead to nine, 49-40 on a shot from
beyond the arc by junior Megan Fournier (East Waterboro, Maine) with 14:03 to
go.
Southern Maine responded with an 11-2 run, keyed by six points by senior
Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) and some amazing shot-blocking by Crockett, to
tie the game at 51-51. It was the first tie since the opening minutes. USM
took its first lead of the night, 56-53, at the 2:58 mark on a three-point bomb
by freshman Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine). Senior Kate Fillion (Littleton,
N.H.) answered with a three of her own 12 seconds later, for a 56-56 tie.
Huskies' senior Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) nailed her third long-range
basket at 2:21 to again put USM up three, but Fillion hit another clutch three-
pointer 19 seconds later to tie it at 59-59. Dominiczak was then fouled with
one minute remaining, and after a Panthers' timeout, calmly swished both free
throws to give the Huskies their final margin. Crockett saved the win for USM
with two key blocks in the final thirty seconds, thwarting a last-ditch
Panthers' comeback.
Kimball recorded her third double-double of the season, totaling game
highs of 20 points and 10 rebounds. Shaw, despite struggling with her shooting,
joined Kimball in double figures with 12 points and dished out a game-high six
assists. Crockett scored eight points but her main contribution came at the
defensive end as she recorded a career-high nine shot-blocks, one short of the
school single-game record.
Fournier paced the Panthers with 13 points and nine caroms, while
sophomore Courtney Albert (Hudson, N.H.) added 12 points and Fillion finished
with 11.
Southern Maine next plays on Saturday (January 27) when the Huskies travel
to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth for a 1:00 p.m. Little East
Conference game. Plymouth State travels to Norwich University Thursday (January
25) for a 7:00 p.m. contest.
*******************************************************************************
Monday, January 22, 2001
USM's Erin Shaw Receives Pair of Honors
Huskies Guard Named LEC and MWBCA Co-Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) of the University
of Southern Maine Huskies women's basketball team has been chosen as the Little
East Conference Co-Player of the Week for the week of January 15-21. She shared
the award with Keene State College junior Erika Forsberg (Laconia, N.H.). The
announcement was made Monday afternoon by the conference office.
The Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association also announced Monday
that Shaw had been chosen as Co-Player of the Week in the state, along with
sophomore Kristi Royer (Lewiston, Maine) of Bowdoin College.
The weekly honors are the first of the 5-foot-5 guard's four-year career.
The Mt. Desert Island High School graduate shot a sizzling 57 percent from
the floor (13-of-23), including 9-of-15 from three-point range, in a pair of
Little East Conference road victories over the University of Massachusetts
Boston and Keene State College. She averaged 21.0 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0
rebounds for the two games, including career-highs of 23 points and seven
assists against UMass Boston. Shaw made 5-of-7 three-point attempts versus
Keene State and was 7-of-10 overall from the floor.
For the season, Shaw is averaging 11.1 points, second highest on the
Huskies' squad. She leads the Little East Conference in three-point field goal
percentage (.500), making 36-of-72 from beyond the arc.
Southern Maine, which has won four straight and eight of its last nine
games, is 11-5 on the season overall. The Huskies are tied with Eastern
Connecticut State University for first place in the Little East Conference at 6-
1. USM will host long-time conference rival Plymouth State College Tuesday
(January 23) at 5:30 p.m.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, January 20, 2001
Erin Shaw Shoots Huskies Past Owls, 75-51
KEENE, N.H. -- Senior Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) scored a game-high 19
points on 7-of-10 shooting to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to
an impressive 75-51 victory over the Keene State College Owls in Little East
Conference women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at Spaulding Gymnasium.
Southern Maine won its fourth straight game to improve to 11-5 overall and
remains tied with Eastern Connecticut for first place in the Little East at 6-1.
Keene State dips to 11-5 overall and 4-3 in the conference.
Shaw scored the game's first six points, hitting a pair of three-pointers
before three minutes had elapsed. The Huskies jumped out to a 10-2 lead at the
15:57 mark on a hoop by sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine).
Keene State responded with a 10-5 run to narrow the margin to 15-12 with
11:17 left. USM countered with a 10-3 run, keyed by two more hoops from beyond
the arc by Shaw, to grab a 25-15 lead at 6:27. Southern Maine, which made 58
percent of its field goals in the first half, continued its hot shooting,
cruising into the locker room up 35-20 at the break.
Shaw came out hot again in the second half, scoring four of the Huskies'
first six points as USM quickly upped its lead to 49-27 on a bucket by junior
Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) with 13:18 to go. The Huskies lead never
dropped below 20 points the remainder of the game, peaking at 70-41 on pair of
free throws by sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) with 4:48 left.
Shaw made 5-of-7 three point attempts on the way to her 19 points. She
also snared four rebounds and dished out three assists. Libby scored 13 points
while Crockett added ten. Freshman Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine) came off the
bench to contribute 11 points on 4-of-4 shooting. Senior Amanda Kimball
(Arundel, Maine) recorded a team-high five assists while Dominiczak pulled down
five rebounds to lead the Huskies.
Junior Erika Forsberg (Laconia, N.H.) was the lone Owl to reach double
figures, tallying 15 points. No other Keene State player scored more than seven
points.
Southern Maine finished with a blazing 57 percent (28-of-49) mark from the
floor while holding the Owls to 35 percent (20-of-58). USM made 14-of-21 free
throws to Keene State's 9-of-13.
Southern Maine will host Plymouth State College in a Little East
Conference game Tuesday (January 23) at 5:30 p.m. Keene State will entertain
LEC foe Eastern Connecticut Tuesday.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 16, 2001
Shaw Leads USM Huskies By UMB Beacons, 91-65
BOSTON, Mass. -- Senior guard Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) tossed in a
career-high 23 points, including four three-point field goals, to lead the
University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 91-65 victory over the University of
Massachusetts Boston Beacons in a Little East Conference game Tuesday night at
the Clark Athletic Center.
The win was the third straight, and seventh in the last eight games, for
the Huskies. Southern Maine is 10-5 overall and 5-1 in Little East play. UMass
Boston dropped its sixth straight game to fall to 5-7 overall and 0-6 in the
conference.
The Huskies sprinted out to a 9-0 lead in the first three minutes and
never looked back. Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine), freshman
forward Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine) and Shaw combined for 31 of the Huskies
44 first half points to give USM a 44-24 lead at the break.
UMass Boston never threatened the Huskies' lead in the second half. The
Beacons got within 17 on two occasions, the last at 60-43 after junior Seiko
Kudo (Sannohe-gun Aomori, Japan) hit a three-pointer with 12:15 to play.
Shaw responded with a three-point shot of her own that ignited an 11-2 run
over the next three-plus minutes, effectively short-circuiting any thoughts of a
Beacon comeback.
Shaw hit 6-of-13 shots from the floor, including 4-fo-8 from beyond the
arc, and 7-of-8 free throws for her career-high 23 points to pace five USM
players in the double figures. The 5-foot-5 guard also passed out a game-high
seven assists.
Crockett finished with 17 points before fouling out. Cressler came off
the bench to end up with 16 points. Sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) and
senior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) had 11 and 10, respectively. Cressler
and Kimball shared team-high rebounding honors with five apiece.
Junior Dana Wilson (Jacksonville, Fla.) led the Beacons with 16 points,
and she grabbed a game-high 13 rebounds. Sophomore Andreen Gilpin (Boston,
Mass.), this week's LEC Player of the Week, contributed 12 points.
The 91 points was a season high for Southern Maine, which has averaged 82
points in its last three games. The Huskies shot 52 percent (27-for-52) from
the field, including 8-of-16 from three-point territory. USM also converted
29-of-34 free throws (85 percent) in the foul-plagued contest.
UMass Boston shot just 36 percent (21-for-58) from the field for the game
and also committed 25 turnovers.
Southern Maine will travel to Keene, N.H., on Saturday to play the Keene
State College Owls in a Little East Conference game beginning at 1:00 p.m.
UMass Boston will host Bridgewater State College in a non-conference game on
Thursday, starting at 5:30 p.m.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, January 13, 2001
Crockett, Hot-Shooting Huskies Dominate Colonials
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine)
equaled her career high scoring 18 points as the University of Southern Maine
Huskies overwhelmed the Western Connecticut State University Colonials, 80-49,
in Little East Conference women's college basketball action Saturday afternoon
at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine, improved its overall record to 9-5 and moved into a first-
place tie in the conference at 4-1. Western Connecticut dropped to 5-8 for the
season and 4-1 in LEC play. The 31-point drubbing tied the mark for largest
margin of victory in the series since a 71-40 USM victory on November 22, 1992
at the Hill Gym. Southern Maine holds a 17-6 all-time advantage over the
Colonials.
Crockett and sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) each scored four quick
points as the Huskies jumped out to a 12-2 lead at the 14:50 mark of the first
half.
The Colonials responded with a 17-11 run to trim the lead to 23-19 on a
bucket by senior Chrissy Camella (Monroe, Conn.) with 6:27 remaining.
USM senior Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) canned a three-pointer to ignite an
18-7 Husky run over the final 5:38 of the half to give USM a comfortable lead at
the break, 41-26.
Southern Maine's lead never dipped below 13 points in the second half,
peaking at 33 (80-47) on a hoop by freshman Larisa Sobey (Pittsfield, Maine)
with 1:49 left. The Huskies, who shot a sizzling 57 percent from the floor in
the first half, made an incredible 14-of-18 field goal attempts (78 percent) in
the second stanza. USM finished the game shooting a season's best 65 percent
(31-of-48) from the floor.
Crockett made 8-of-11 field goals to pace four Huskies in double figures.
Senior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) tossed in 16 points on 7-of-10 shooting
while Libby hit 5-of-5 from the floor for 13 points and tallied six assists.
Shaw totaled 11 points for the Huskies, including 3-of-3 from behind the three-
point stripe. Junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) and Crockett shared
game-high rebounding honors with nine caroms. Southern Maine amassed its highest
point total of the season since its season-opening 85-point effort against
Manhattanville.
Southern Maine dominated Western Connecticut on the boards, 39-23. WCSU
shot 35 percent (19-of-55) from the floor.
Five-foot-nine freshman Christin Morgatto (Seymour, Conn.) led the
Colonials with team-highs in points (13) and rebounds (5). Senior Arianna
Dolock (Charlestown, R.I.) joined Morgatto in double-digits with 12 points.
Southern Maine will play Tuesday (January 16) when it travels to the
University of Massachusetts Boston for a 5:30 p.m. Little East Conference game.
Western Connecticut will play at long-time rival Eastern Connecticut on Tuesday
in a key LEC match-up. Eastern Connecticut is currently tied with USM and WCSU
for first place in the conference (4-1).
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 9, 2001
USM Huskies Sinks RIC Anchorwomen, 75-41
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Freshman Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine) topped a
balanced attack with a game-high 12 points to lead the University of Southern
Maine Huskies to a 75-41 victory over the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen in a
Little East Conference women's basketball game Tuesday evening.
Southern Maine improves its record to 8-5 on the season and 3-1 in Little
East play. Rhode Island College dips to 4-7 overall and 1-2 in the conference.
Eleven of the twelve players who saw action for Southern Maine found the
net. Sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) joined Cressler in double figures with
10 points and dished out a game-high five assists. Freshman Sunshine Anders
(Bowdoinham, Maine) also scored 10 points, equaling her career high. Cressler
shot a sizzling 83 percent from the floor, making 5-of-6 field goal attempts.
Senior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) cleaned the glass for a
career-high 13 rebounds, while dropping in seven points. Sophomore center Kara
Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) played a solid all-around game for the Huskies,
totaling eight points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. She also doled out
five assists to tie Libby for game honors.
Southern Maine jumped out quickly, taking a 17-5 lead just six-and-a-half
minutes into the action. The Huskies first-half margin peaked at 21 (32-11)
with 1:18 remaining on two Libby free throws. USM led 32-15 at the break.
The Anchorwomen suffered from dreadful first half shooting, hitting just
19 percent (6-of-32) from the floor.
Southern Maine's lead increased steadily in the second half as the Huskies
made 60 percent (18-of-30) of their field goals in the period. The final 34-
point margin was the night's largest, coming when Anders scored with 30 seconds
remaining.
USM finished the game shooting 49 percent (31-of-63) from the floor while
RIC hit only 23 percent (15-of-66). Southern Maine dominated the Anchorwomen on
the boards, 57-35.
Senior Beth Iacoi (Westerly, R.I.) and freshman Liz Shields (Warwick,
R.I.) paced the Anchorwomen with eight points each. Shields and junior Brenda
Rattray (Johnston, R.I.) each snared a team-high six rebounds.
Southern Maine will host rival Western Connecticut State University in a
key Little East game Saturday (January 13) at 1:00 p.m. Rhode Island College
will entertain conference foe Eastern Connecticut State University on Saturday.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, January 6, 2001
Grassi Powers Hot-Shooting Warriors Over Huskies, 74-62
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Six-foot-three junior center Kristyn Grassi
(Tolland, Conn.) scored a career-high 35 points on 14-of-17 shooting from the
field to power the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors to a 74-62
victory over the University of Southern Maine Huskies in Little East Conference
women's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Francis E. Geissler
Gymnasium.
The loss snapped a four-game Southern Maine winning streak, dropping the
Huskies to 7-5 on the season and 2-1 in Little East play. Eastern Connecticut
has won five straight to improve to 8-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
Eastern Connecticut, which led for the entire game, came out hot. The
Warriors grabbed 9-0 lead less than two minutes into the action on a jumper by
freshman Allison Coleman (Jewell City, Conn.), two free throws by junior Darcy
Mund (Marlborough, Conn.) and a pair of hoops and a free throw by Grassi.
Sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) got the Huskies on the board with a
bucket at the 17:40 mark but Grassi scored again and junior Joanna Debicki
(Shelton, Conn.) nailed a three-pointer to give the Warriors a 12-point cushion,
14-2, with 16:21 remaining in the half.
Southern Maine battled back to cut the deficit to four, 26-22, on jump
shot by senior co-captain Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) with 7:26 left in the
half, but Grassi proved unstoppable inside, scoring eight straight points in
the final four-and-a-half minutes of the period to again push the Warriors
margin to twelve ,40-28, at halftime.
Eastern Connecticut's lead never dropped below ten in the second half,
peaking twice at 18 points, the last at 70-52 on Grassi's basket with 6:18
remaining.
Grassi also pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds to finish with a double-
double. She made 7-of-9 free throws and collected four steals. Coleman, a
three-time LEC Rookie of the Week this season, added 16 points and nine caroms.
Mund dished out a game-high six assists.
Senior co-captain Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) played well for Southern
Maine, scoring a career-high 21 points on 8-of-12 field goal shooting, including
5-of-7 from beyond the three-point arc. Kimball recorded her second double-
double of the season with 13 points and a team-leading 10 rebounds. Sophomore
center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine), who was hampered by foul trouble for
much of the game, joined Shaw and Kimball in double figures with 10 points.
The Warriors held a decided advantage from the charity stripe, canning 13-
of-19 free throws. USM went to the line only seven times, making five. Eastern
Connecticut shot a blazing 53 percent from the floor (30-of-57). Southern Maine
made 43 percent of its field goal attempts (26-of-61).
Eastern Connecticut out-rebounded Southern Maine, 35-29.
Southern Maine's next game is Tuesday (January 9), when the Huskies travel
to Rhode Island College for a 5:30 p.m. Little East Conference match-up.
Eastern Connecticut will host LEC rival UMass Dartmouth on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
*******************************************************************************
Thursday, January 4, 2000
Kimball Leads Balanced Attack as Huskies Tame Cougars
GORHAM, Maine -- All five USM starters, led by senior forward Amanda
Kimball's (Arundel, Maine) game-high 18 points, scored in double figures as the
University of Southern Maine Huskies pulled away for an impressive 77-58 victory
over the Clark University Cougars in non-conference women's college basketball
action Thursday evening at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine, which has won four straight games, improved its record to
7-4 on the season while the Cougars dropped to 5-6. The game was the first
meeting between the teams since USM ended the Cougars 1999-2000 season March 10
in the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen round, 77-61.
Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) came out with the hot
hand early for the Huskies, scoring eight of the team's first 14 points, as
Southern Maine built its largest lead of the half, 14-5, with 15:25 remaining.
Clark refused to wilt, however, cutting the lead to just one on three
occasions, the last coming at the 8:20 mark (22-21) on a bucket by sophomore Liz
Nadeau (Bristol, Conn.).
A three-point play with 5:24 left by freshman Meg Cressler (Appleton,
Maine) built the Huskies' margin back up to five, 29-24. Southern Maine went
into the locker room with a 37-29 halftime lead.
USM doubled its halftime margin over the first eight minutes of the second
half. Kimball had four points during the decisive 13-5 run that made it 50-34.
Sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) added three, and Crockett, Cressler and
senior Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) each scored two points during the run.
USM's lead never went below 11 points for the remainder of the game,
peaking at 22, 75-53, on a Kimball bucket with 1:12 remaining.
Kimball made 8-of-13 field goals while grabbing seven rebounds and dishing
out three assists. Crockett finished with 14 points and seven blocked shots.
Libby tied her career-high with 13 points. She also snared six rebounds and
passed for a game-high five assists. Shaw scored 11 points and collected four
rebounds.
Five-foot-six junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) again led the
Huskies in rebounding, hauling down a game-high 10 caroms and scoring 10 points
for her first career double-double. She also contributed four assists.
Cressler added nine points off the Huskies bench on 3-of-4 field goal shooting
and 3-of-3 free throw shooting.
Senior Emily Morgan (Templeton, Mass.) paced the Cougars with 16 points,
while sophomore guard Rachel Turkington (Holland, Mass.) joined her in double
figures with 14 points. Freshman Jessica Petitt (Hatfield, Mass.) came off the
bench to grab a team-high nine rebounds.
Southern Maine shot a season-high 58 percent from the floor, hitting 30-
of-52 field goals. Clark struggled with its shooting all night, shooting only
27 percent in the second half and 30 percent overall (21-of-70) from the floor.
The Cougars were also cold from the line, making only 10-of-21 free throws.
Southern Maine's next game will be Saturday (January 6), when the Huskies travel
to Eastern Connecticut State University for a 1:00 p.m. Little East Conference
match-up. Clark next plays Tuesday (January 9) at Trinity College.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, December 30, 2000
Land of Magic Classic
Crockett Rescues Southern Maine, Huskies Nip Owls
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine)
scored with 1:53 remaining to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a
come-from-behind, 50-49 victory over the Westfield State College Owls in a
women's non-conference college basketball game Saturday afternoon in the second
round of the Land of Magic Classic hosted by Embry-Riddle University.
Southern Maine, which has won its last three games, improved its overall
record to 6-4. Westfield State, which had won five straight games, dipped to
6-3.
Following a USM timeout, Crockett sealed her defender on the right block,
took a pass from junior Amanda Bourgoin (Skowhegan, Maine), and laid the ball in
for the winning basket. The Huskies had trailed by between one and four points
since the 13:47 mark of the second half.
Southern Maine held Westfield State scoreless for the final 6:14 of the
game, after a hoop by sophomore Melissa Cote (Feeding Hills, Mass.) gave the
Owls a 49-46 lead.
Huskies' senior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) nailed a jumper
with 5:50 remaining to narrow the margin to 49-48. Neither team scored again
until Crockett's deciding hoop.
The teams battled evenly through most of the first half, going into the
locker room at half-time tied at 25. Southern Maine took its largest lead
early, 9-2, following a jump-shot by sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) with
13:47 remaining in the period.
Westfield battled back, scoring 12 straight points, to take a five-point
lead, 14-9, on a bucket by freshman Abbey Laffond (Athol, Mass.) at the 8:44
mark.
Crockett led USM with 12 points, while snaring four caroms and blocking
three shots. Kimball notched a double-double for the Huskies, scoring 10 points
and grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds.
Senior guard Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) tossed in 10 points for the
Huskies, including a pair of three-point shots, and dished out three assists.
Libby scored eight points, while collecting six rebounds and three assists.
Cote was the lone Owl to reach double figures, scoring 11 points and
snaring a team-high eight boards. Southern Maine held the Owls' leading scorer,
senior Jamie Vielmetti (South Deerfield, Mass.), to just seven points.
Vielmetti had 27 points in Westfield's 71-59 victory over Wisconsin-LaCrosse on
Friday.
Westfield State out-rebounded Southern Maine, 42-33, but the Huskies out-
shot the Owls from the floor, 38 percent (18-of-48) to 29 percent (18-of-63).
USM returns home to host Clark University Thursday (January 4) at 6:00
p.m. Westfield State entertains Albertus Magnus Saturday (January 6).
*******************************************************************************
Friday, December 29, 2000
Land of Magic Classic
Crockett Powers Huskies Past Bears
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Sophomore center Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine)
scored a career-high 18 points to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies
to a 61-47 victory over the Bridgewater State College Bears in women's college
basketball action Friday afternoon in the opening round of the Land of Magic
Classic hosted by Embry-Riddle University.
With the win the Huskies improve to 5-4 on the season while the Bears drop
to 3-4.
Southern Maine never trailed in the contest, jumping out to a quick 8-3
lead in the first four-and-a-half minutes behind two buckets by Crockett, a
basket by senior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine), and two free throws by
sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine).
Crockett sparkled for USM in the first half, making 4-of 5 field goals and
all four of her free throws for 12 points. The Huskies led by as many as 14
(30-16) before the break.
Bridgewater sophomore Heidi Egan (Rehobeth, Mass.) made four free throws
in the final 2:21 of the half to bring the Bears to within nine points (30-21)
at the intermission. The Bears struggled from the floor, shooting an ice-cold
12 percent (3-for-26). Crockett contributed to the Bears shooting woes,
registering four blocked shots.
Southern Maine's lead never dipped below eight in the second half, peaking
at 18 points (55-37) on a layup by senior Megan Rombalski (South Portland,
Maine) with 6:28 remaining.
Crockett finished with six rebounds, five blocks and a steal to go along
with her 18 points. Kimball joined Crockett in double-figures with 13 points
and hauled down seven boards.
Junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) turned in a fine all-around
performance for the Huskies, scoring five points and dishing out a game-high six
assists. She also tied for game-high rebounding honors with eight boards.
Junior forward Amanda Bourgoin (Skowhegan, Maine) came off the bench to tally
seven points with five rebounds and three assists for USM.
Seniors Danielle Ryan (Hanover, Mass.) and Tracy Howard (Westwood, Mass.)
paced the Bears' attack. Ryan scored a team-high 17 points, including 11 free
throws, and grabbed five rebounds. Howard tossed in 15 points. Egan tied
Dominiczak for game-high rebounding honors, snaring eight caroms.
No other Bears' player scored more than four points as Bridgewater
finished the game shooting just 24 percent (12-for-51) from the floor. Southern
Maine shot 37 percent (23-for-62) from the floor. The Huskies out-rebounded the
Bears, 43-35.
USM will play Westfield State College Saturday afternoon (December 30) at
1:00 p.m. Bridgewater State takes on the University of Wisconsin-Lacrosse on
Saturday.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, December 9, 2000
Crockett and Cressler Hot as Huskies Overwhelm Corsairs, 74-46
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) and freshman
Meg Cressler (Appleton, Maine) each scored 14 points to lead the University of
Southern Maine Huskies to an easy 74-46 victory over the University of
Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs in Little East Conference women's basketball
action Saturday afternoon at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine raises its record to 4-4 on the season and is 2-0 in Little
East play. UMass Dartmouth drops to 3-5 overall and 0-2 in the LEC.
The Huskies jumped out early on the Corsairs and never looked back.
Crockett scored six of the Huskies' first 12 points as USM led 14-4 after only
four minutes. Southern Maine steadily increased its margin, taking a 39-26 lead
at the break.
UMass Dartmouth went ice-cold from the floor in the second half, hitting
only 4-of-27 field goal attempts. Southern Maine outscored the Corsairs 25-4 in
the first 14 minutes of the period, blowing the game wide-open, 66-34, on a
Cressler hoop with 7:08 remaining.
Crockett's 14 points, on six-of-nine shooting, matched her career high as
four Huskies finished in double-figures. Senior Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine)
scored 11 points, including three treys, and sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine)
tossed in ten points with six assists. Cressler came off the bench to make six-
of-ten field goal tries.
Junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) played a fine all-around game for
Southern Maine, scoring eight points and grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. She
also contributed six assists, tying Libby for game honors. Junior Amanda
Bourgoin (Skowhegan, Maine) came off the bench to also score eight points for
the Huskies.
Senior Katie Douglas (Sharon, Mass.), the Corsairs' leading scorer,
struggled from the floor, making only 3-of-15 field goal attempts. She finished
with ten points and tied Dominiczak for rebounding honors with 11.
Freshman Kelly O'Neal (Mansfield, Mass.) played well for the Corsairs,
matching Douglas for team scoring honors with ten points. Junior Carla Ferreira
(Marion, Mass) snared ten caroms for UMass Dartmouth.
USM out-rebounded UMD, 50-to-39. The Huskies shot 43 percent from the
floor (32-74) while holding the Corsairs to 29 percent (15-51).
Southern Maine will play next on December 29 when it takes on Bridgewater
State College (Mass.) in the Land of Magic Classic hosted by Embry-Riddle
University of Daytona Beach, Florida. UMass Dartmouth will entertain LEC rival
Keene State College on January 6 in its next action.
*******************************************************************************
Wednesday, December 6, 2000
White Mules Pull Away From Huskies, 70-56
WATERVILLE, Maine -- Sophomore forward Sarah Walsh (Catonsville, Md.)
scored a game-high 17 points to pace four players in double figures as the Colby
College White Mules pulled away in the second half for a 70-56 victory over the
University of Southern Maine Huskies in a non-conference game at the Harold
Alfond Athletic Center Wednesday night.
The win was the White Mules' fourth in the last five games and improved
their overall record to 5-2. Southern Maine dropped its third game in the last
four to fall to 3-4 overall.
Sophomore Bianca Belcher (Lewiston, Maine) ignited the White Mules' second
half surge by hitting two three-point shots in the first two minutes. The 6-0
run pushed the Colby lead to 39-32.
USM sophomore Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) responded with three
consecutive baskets for the Huskies to cut the margin to 39-38 with 16:12 to
play, but that would be the closest the Huskies would get to the White Mules.
Another 6-0 run by Colby pushed the lead back to seven (45-38), and the
Huskies never got closer than five the rest of the way as some ice-cold shooting
(32 percent) and turnovers hurt their comeback effort.
In the first half, USM took the early lead on senior guard Erin Shaw's
(Hancock, Maine) three-pointer. The Huskies led throughout the half until the
final four minutes when senior Mandy Cochrane (Arlington, Mass.) gave the White
Mules their first lead (25-24).
After a tied and two lead changes, the White Mules took the lead (29-28)
for good on Cochrane's two free throws with 2:37 left. The lead grew to five
(33-28) on two Belcher free throws before the Huskies scored to the final four
points to trail by one (33-32) at the break.
Walsh had 11 of her 17 points in the first half. She also grabbed a team-
high eight rebounds. Belcher, who scored just two points in the first half,
tossed in 12 second-half points to finish with 14 points. Senior Jen Hallee
(Nashua, N.H.) added 11 points, and Cochrane contributed 10.
Junior forward Amanda Bourgoin (Skowhegan, Maine) was the lone USM player
in double figures, coming off the bench to toss in 10 points. Crockett grabbed
a career-high 16 rebounds and was one of three Huskies to finish with nine
points.
Southern Maine shot only 34 percent (21 for 61) from the floor and 50
percent (10 for 20) at the foul line in the game. The Huskies also committed 21
turnovers. Colby shot only 37 percent (24 for 69) from the floor, but converted
71 percent of its free throws (17 for 24).
The Huskies will try to get back the .500 mark this Saturday when they
host the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in a Little East Conference game
starting at 1:00 p.m. Colby travels to Salem State College on Saturday.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, December 2, 2000
Bourgoin Comes Off the Bench to Lead Huskies Past Owls, 69-63
GORHAM, Maine --Junior Amanda Bourgoin (Skowhegan, Maine) came off the
bench to score a career-high 14 points, all in the second half, as the
University of Southern Maine Huskies battled their way past the visiting Keene
State Owls, 69-63, in the Little East Conference opener for both teams at the
Warren G. Hill Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
The win snapped a two-game losing skid and improved the Huskies' overall
record to 3-3. The Owls, who dropped their second straight game after winning
four straight, fell to 5-3 overall.
Bourgoin, who went scoreless in two minutes of action in the first half,
hit 6-of-12 shots from the floor and a pair of free throws for her 14 points.
She had eight points during the Huskies' 10-0 run over a 5:43 span early in the
second half that erased a two-point deficit and gave USM an eight-point lead
(49-41).
Keene State's sophomore forward Hayley Alaimo (Ellington, Conn.) ended the
Huskies' run with a three-pointer. After the Owls pulled back within two
(51-49) on another Alaimo three-pointer with 9:00 to go, Southern Maine slowly
pulled away. With 4:18 to play, Bourgoin put in a left-handed layup to cap a
10-2 run and give the Huskies their biggest lead of the game, 61-51.
Keene State was able to pull within four, 63-59, when Kim Thomson
(Wolfeboro, N.H.) hit a pair of free throws with 44 seconds remaining. USM
sophomore forward Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) responded with a basket at the other
end, and later hit two-of-three free throws in the final 30 seconds to help
secure the win.
In the first half, Southern Maine jumped out to a quick 13-5 lead just
five minutes into the game behind the long-range shooting effort by senior guard
Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) who went three-for-three from beyond the arc.
The Huskies could only managed eight points over the next 6:15 as Keene
State clawed its way back to tie the game at 21-21. The 16-8 run was lead by
junior guard Sarah Linn (Brattleboro, Vt.) and junior forward Erika Forsberg
(Laconia, N.H.) who each dropped in six points. Both teams then traded baskets
for the rest of the half without either team being able to establish any
momentum. Southern Maine led by just one point (35-34) at the half, despite 14
turnovers.
Four Huskies finished in double figures led by Shaw with a career-high 17
points. Senior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) with 11, and Libby with
10. Bourgoin and Kimball each grabbed six rebounds. Bourgoin and Kimball
shared team rebounding honors with six.
Keene State was led by a 17 point performance from Alaimo. Forsberg added
12, and senior center Margot Fleming (Delhi, N.Y.) grabbed game-high nine
rebounds for the Owls.
Southern Maine returns to action Wednesday (December 6) when they travel
to meet the White Mules of Colby College in Waterville, Maine. Game time is
5:30 PM. Keene State hosts Williams on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m.
*******************************************************************************
Thursday, November 30, 2000
Nor'easters Hold Off Huskies For Win
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Michele Plant (Gorham, Maine) scored a
team-high 21 points, including five three-point shots, to lead the visiting
University of New England Nor'easters to an 81-71 win over the University of
Southern Maine Huskies (2-3) Thursday night at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win was UNE's first ever in 28 tries against Southern Maine, and lifts
the Nor'easters to 3-2 overall while Southern Maine falls to 2-3.
Southern Maine senior guard Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) opened the scoring
when she hit a jumper just 0:15 into the game. Plant hit a three-point shot to
put UNE in front for good as the visitors went on a 7-0 run. USM trailed by 13
(25-12) with 5:13 left after an 8-0 run by UNE.
Junior forward Amanda Rodgerson (Newburgh, Maine) led the first half
attack for the Nor'easters scoring 10 of her 17 points. Southern Maine's senior
forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) dropped in eight first-half points, but
the Nor'easters went in at halftime leading by 11 (33-22).
The second half opened with both teams trading baskets until the 11:38
mark when the Huskies went on a 9-0 run over the next 2:30 to cut the lead to
four points, 49-45. Sophomore forward Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) netted five
points and junior Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) had four in that run.
After the teams traded baskets, UNE went on its own run scoring the next
seven points in a span of 0:55 to get the lead back into double figures (58-47).
Plant capped off the surge hitting a three-point shot from the top of the key.
Led by Kimball's 16 second half points, the Huskies tried to claw their
way back into the game, but each time Plant answered for the Nor'easters by
scoring 13 points in the final eight minutes. UNE also converted 10-of-12 free
throws in the final two minutes to maintain its edge.
USM shot 54 percent form the floor (29 for 54), but poor free throw
shooting (9-for-20)and 20 turnovers hurt the Huskies.
UNE finished with four players in double figures led by Plant. Rodgerson
ended with 17 and a game-high 11 rebounds. Freshman Melissa Roller (Sandwich,
Mass.) and junior Lori Kempton (Cumberland, Maine) each added 16 points. UNE
shot 50 percent (30-for-60) from the floor, including 9-of-17 from beyond the
three-point stripe. U.N.E. went 12-for-16 from the charity stripe.
Kimball finished with a game-high 24 points. Freshman forward Megan
Cressler (Appleton, Maine) and Shaw had 15 and 12 points, respectively.
Southern Maine returns to action Saturday when it opens Little East
Conference play hosting the Keene State Owls. Tip-off is at 1:00 p.m.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, November 28, 2000
Polar Bears End 20-Year Streak, Defeat Huskies
BRUNSWICK, Maine -- Junior Jessie Mayol (Westbrook, Maine) and freshman
Lora Trenkle (Surry, Maine) scored the first eleven points of the game to lead
the Bowdoin College Polar Bears to 77-62 victory over the University of Southern
Maine Huskies in non-conference women's basketball action Tuesday evening at the
Morrell Gymnasium.
The win snapped a 20-game Huskies' winning streak against the Polar Bears.
Bowdoin last defeated Southern Maine on February 7, 1981, 50-39, in Gorham.
Mayol hit a three-pointer to open the Polar Bears' scoring just 21 seconds
into the game. Trenkle followed with her own three, assisted by Mayol. Mayol
then sank her second three-point basket 26 seconds later. Trenkle made two free
throws at 17:29 to put the Polar Bears up 11-0, a lead which the Huskies could
never completely erase.
USM turned the ball over on four of its first six possessions, while also
missing two shots. Junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) finally broke the
ice for the Huskies, grabbing an offensive rebound and sticking back a short
jump shot. Southern Maine closed to within three twice, 13-10 and 15-12, on a
pair of jump shots by freshman Nikki Allen (Blue Hill, Maine), but could get no
closer. Bowdoin continued to ride the hot hands of Trenkle and Mayol, who
finished the half with 13 and 11 points, respectively. The Polar Bears led
41-28 at the break.
Senior Lauren Myers (South Boston, Mass.) and sophomore Kristi Royer
(Lewiston, Maine) combined to score the first six points of the second half,
putting Bowdoin up by 19, 47-28. The Polar Bears reached their biggest lead of
the night, 56-34, on a Trenkle jumper with 13:30 remaining.
Southern Maine, which was plagued by 25 turnovers, narrowed the lead to
nine three times in the final three minutes, but the Polar Bears cashed in on 19
of 25 free throws in the half to maintain their cushion. Bowdoin outscored
Southern Maine 25-9 from the charity stripe overall, and also outrebounded the
Huskies, 37-27.
Trenkle made 8-of-13 shots from the floor and all six of her free throws
to lead all scorers with 24 points, while tying Royer for rebounding honors with
seven.. Mayol and Myers each tossed in 14 points for Bowdoin.
Junior center Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.), although hampered by first
half foul trouble, continued her fine early-season play for the Huskies, scoring
a team-high 14 points on six-of-eight field goal shooting. Zahm, the Little
East Conference Player of the Week, also led the Huskies with five rebounds and
three blocks.
Senior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) was the only other Husky to
reach double figures, scoring 10 points. Dominiczak scored all nine of her
points in the first half, while junior Amanda Bourgoin (Skowhegan, Maine) added
eight points off the bench for the Huskies.
Southern Maine hosts the University of New England Thursday (November 30)
at 5:30 p.m. in its next action. Bowdoin next plays Saturday (December 2) at
Babson in a 2:00 p.m. tilt.
*******************************************************************************
Monday, November 27, 2000
Jaime Zahm Named Little East Conference Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) of the
University of Southern Maine Huskies women's basketball team has been chosen as
the first Little East Conference Player of the Week for the 2000-2001 season.
The weekly honor is the first of the 6-foot forward's career. The
announcement was made by the conference office Monday afternoon.
In three games, including two against teams that played in last winter's
NCAA tournament, Zahm averaged 17.3 points and 9.7 rebounds. She also chipped
in four assists, four blocked shots and five steals while shooting a torrid .750
(21 for 28) from the floor and .667 (10 for 15) from the foul line.
Against Manhattanville in the season-opening USM Tip-Off Invitational
Tournament, Zahm had 14 points and eight rebounds, She made all five shots for
the floor and went 4-for-4 from the foul line.
In the championship game against nationally ranked Salem State College,
she tossed in 13 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and was named to the all-
tournament team.
Playing in-state rival Bates College on the road, Zahm converted 12-of-13
shots from the floor on the way to a career-high 25 points. She also posted her
second double-double of the season corralling 11 rebounds.
Southern Maine, 2-1 on the season, gets back into action Tuesday evening
when the Huskies play at Bowdoin College. Game time is 7:30 p.m. USM will host
the University of New England on Thursday (5:30 p.m.) and open its Little East
Conference schedule on Saturday hosting Keene State College (1:00 p.m.).
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, November 21, 2000
Zahm Scores Career High 25 to Lead Huskies Past Bobcats
LEWISTON, Maine -- Junior forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) scored a
career-high 25 points and grabbed a game-high 10 rebounds to lead the visiting
University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 77-69 victory over the Bates College
Bobcats in a non-conference game Tuesday night at Alumni Gym.
The win improved the Huskies' overall record to 2-1. Bates slipped below
.500 at 1-2.
Zahm connected on 12-of-13 shots from the floor and one-of-four shots from
the foul line for her 25 points. The 6-foot forward had 19 points in a fast-
paced first half that ended with the Huskies holding a four-point margin (47-
43).
Southern Maine built upon its lead over the first seven minutes of the
second half pushing the margin to 15 (63-48) behind the scoring of senior co-
captain Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) and Zahm.
Kimball's basket with 7:47 to play gave the Huskies their biggest margin
of the night at 72-57. Bates cut the margin to seven (76-69) over the next six
minutes, but could not score in the final minute after sophomore Marcy
Grossman's (Eastsound, Wash.) three-point shot with 1:16 to go.
Junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) finished with a career-high 14
points and seven rebounds while Kimball added 13 points.
Senior Kate McLaughlin (Laconia, N.H.) paced four Bobcats in double
figures with 18 points and a team-high eight rebounds. Freshman Lynn
Antinarelli (Bedford, Mass.) came off the bench to toss in 14 points, including
four shots from beyond the three-point arc. Grossman finished with 13 and
sophomore Lisa Golobski (Methuen, Mass.) had 10 points.
USM is off until next Tuesday (November 28) when it travels to Brunswick,
Maine, to play Bowdoin College. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.. Bates travels
to the University of New England on Monday (November 27) for a 5:30 p.m. game.
*******************************************************************************
SEASON OPENER
USM INVITATIONAL TOURNAMENT
Warren G. Hill Gymnasium, Gorham, Maine
Friday-Saturday, November 17-18
Friday, November 17
Game One Southern Maine 85 Manhattanville College 48
Game Two Salem State 75 UMaine Farmington 56
Saturday, November 18
Game Three UMaine Farmington 86 Manhattanville 64
Gzme Four Salem State 70 Southern Maine 58
Saturday, November 18, 2000
USM Invitational Championship Game
Smock, Vikings Down Cold-Shooting Huskies
GORHAM, Maine -- Sharp-shooting senior guard Melissa Smock (Belmont,
N.H.) scored a game-high 24 points to lead the Salem State College Vikings to a
70-58 victory over the cold-shooting University of Southern Maine Huskies in the
championship game of the USM Invitational Tournament at the Warren G. Hill
Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
Smock, who was selected as the tournament's Most Valuable Player, hit
fifty percent of her field goal attempts, including four of seven three-
pointers, and six-of-eight free throws while adding four assists and a steal.
Senior teammate Tracy McKeen (Peabody, Mass.) made all four of her three-
point field goal tries on the way to 16 points and she passed out six assists.
McKeen also was named to the all-tournament team.
The Vikings shot better from behind the three-point line than from the
floor overall, hitting 43 percent of their long-range attempts. Southern Maine
struggled from the floor, making just 9 of 38 field goals in the first half and
shooting just 28 percent (21 for 75) for the game.
The Huskies trailed 28-22 at the break but could never cut the Vikings'
lead below four points in the second half. Salem State led just 47-42 with 9:08
remaining but outscored Southern Maine 13-2 over the next four minutes for a 60-
44 lead to put the game away.
Smock hit a three-pointer during the run, while junior guard Casie Rhodes
(East Greenwich, R.I.) sparkled off the bench for the Vikings with eight points
during the key stretch, including two three-point buckets. She finished with 12
points. Salem State scored its final ten points from the free throw line as the
Huskies were forced to foul.
The game was the first meeting between the two long-time rivals since
March 4 when Southern Maine ended the Vikings' season, 72-68, in the second
round of the NCAA tournament.
Senior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) and junior center Jaime
Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) keyed Huskies' second half rally. Kimball scored 12 of
her team-high 14 points and Zahm tallied 12 of her 13 in the second half. Zahm
also grabbed ten rebounds and Kimball snared eight caroms for the Huskies as
both were chosen to the all-tournament team.
Junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) hustled for 11 points and eight
rebounds for the Huskies while sophomore Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) had seven
assists.
Sophomore all-tournament selection Kara Smolinski (Ashburnham, Mass.)
scored nine points with two assists for Salem State.
The University of Maine at Farmington Beavers (1-1) defeated the
Manhattanville College Valiants (0-2) in the consolation round game, 86-64.
UMF sophomore center Jocelyn Sawyer (Parsonsfield, Maine) led all scorers with
22 points and was named to the all-tournament team. Freshman Nicole Terzian
(Bronx, NY) paced the Valiants with 19 points.
Southern Maine (1-1) next plays Tuesday (November 21) at Bates College in
Lewiston, Maine. Game time is 6:00 p.m. Salem State (2-0) does not play again
until Thursday (November 30) when they host Plymouth State College in 6:00 p.m.
contest.
Saturday, November 18, 2000
USM Invitational Consolation Game
Sawyer, Beavers Shoot Down Valiants
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore center Jocelyn Sawyer (Parsonsfield,Maine)
scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds to lead the University
of Maine at Farmington Beavers to an 86-64 victory over the Manhattanville
College Valiants in the consolation round game of the USM Invitational
Tournament Saturday afternoon at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Sawyer, who was named to the all-tournament team, hit five of seven field
goals and 12 of 15 free throws. Foul-plagued senior teammate Becky Roak
(Portland, Maine) added 19 points for the Beavers in just 13 minutes of playing
time. Hot-shooting senior guard Jen Robertson (Biddeford, Maine) hit five of
ten three point field goal attempts to total 16 points for the Beavers while
junior point guard Rachel Bard (Winslow, Maine) dished out eight assists and
netted eight points.
UMaine Farmington, leading 42-37 at the break, scored the first 11 points
of the second half to break the game open, 53-37, with Sawyer tallying seven of
those eleven points during a three-minute stretch. The Beavers shot fifty
percent in the second half and 48 percent for the game.
Freshman Nicole Terzian (Bronx, N.Y.) paced the Valiants with 19 points on
six-of-nine field goal shooting Junior Adrienne Borrani (Yonkers, N.Y.) came
off the bench to join Terzian in double figures with 11 points. Sophomore
reserve center Kristina McRae (Brooklyn, N.Y.) added eight points and eight
rebounds for Manhattanville.
The Salem State College Vikings (2-0) defeated the host University of
Southern Maine Huskies (1-1) in the championship game, 70-58. Vikings senior
guard Melissa Smock (Belmont, N.H.) was selected as the tournament's Most
Valuable Player after scoring a game- and tournament-high 24 points.
UMaine Farmington (1-1) travels to St. Joseph's College in Standish for
their next game Tuesday (November 21) at 5:30 p.m. Manhattanville (0-2) will
host William Smith at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday in their next action.
*******************************************************************************
Friday, November 17, 2000
USM Invitational Tournament
Cressler, Huskies Overwhelm Valiants
GORHAM, Maine -- Freshman guard Megan Cressler (Appleton, Maine) came
off the bench to score 17 points in her first collegiate game as the University
of Southern Maine rolled to a dominating 85-48 season-opening victory over
Manhattanville College in the first round of the USM Invitational Tournament
Friday evening at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Cressler hit five of eight field goal attempts, including three-of-three
from behind the three-point line, and five of six free throws to lead four
Huskies in double figures. All 13 Southern Maine players scored. Junior center
Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) did not miss a shot from the floor or the line to
total 14 points for the Huskies and also added eight rebounds and two blocks.
Junior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) and freshman guard Sunshine
Anders (Bowdoinham, Maine) each tallied ten points for Southern Maine. Freshman
guard Nikki Allen (Blue Hill, Maine) passed for six assists in her first
collegiate action, while junior Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) and sophomore
Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) each contributed four assists, Dominiczak adding eight
points.
The Huskies shot a blistering 56% in the first half to take a 51-21 lead
at the break. Southern Maine finished the evening shooting 50% from the floor
overall. USM outrebounded Manhattanville 47-27 No Huskies' starter played more
than 18 minutes.
Senior guard Kelly Vecchione (Bayside, NY) was the only Valiant to reach
double digits, totaling 16 on the night. Manhattanville shot only 32% from the
floor for the evening.
The Vikings of Salem State College defeated the University of Maine at
Farmington Beavers 75-56 in the other first round game. Salem State (1-0) will
play Southern Maine (1-0) at 3:00 p.m. Saturday in the championship game.
Manhattanville (0-1) takes on UMaine Farmington (0-1) at 1:00 p.m. in the
consolation round.
USM Tip-Off Invitational
Salem State Too Much for UMF
GORHAM, Maine -- Guards Melissa Smock (Belmont, N.H.) and Kara Smolinsky
(Ashburnham, Mass.) combined for 42 points to lead four players in double
figures as the Salem State College Lady Vikings overpowered the University of
Maine at Farmington Beavers, 75-56, in the first round of the USM Tip-Off
Tournament at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium Friday evening. The game was the
season opener for both teams
The win sets up a rematch of last season's NCAA tournament game between
the Lady Vikings (1-0) and the host University of Southern Maine Huskies for the
championship. USM overwhelmed Manhattanville College, 85-48, in the other first
round game. Manhattanville plays UMF (0-1) for third place honors at 1:00 p.m.
followed by the title game at 3:00. Salem State beat USM in the 1998 tournament
final.
Smock and Smolinsky sparked a 15-0 run over the final five minutes of the
first half to break open a tight game. Leading 27-22 following a three-point
basket by UMF's Megan Woodcock (Farmington, Maine), Smock ignited the Lady
Vikings' run with an old fashion three-point play. Smolinsky chipped in three
free throws and a three-point basket during the run. Sophomore Edwina Ashe
(Lincoln, Mass.), who lead all rebounders in the game with 12, also had a pair
of baskets.
The smaller UMF team made things interesting in the second half getting
within 14 on three occasions, the last at 64-50 with 4:09 to play after senior
Becky Roak (Portland, Maine) made a pair of free throws.
Salem State outscored UMF 11-6 over the final four minutes to preserve the
win.
Smock finished with a game-high 23 points while Smolinsky ended the night
with 19 points. Sophomore Betsy Nichols (Gardner, Mass.) added 14 points and
grabbed nine rebounds while Ashe contributed 11 points.
Roak lead the Beavers with 16 points. Sophomore Jocelyn Sawyer
(Parsonsfield, Maine) added 15 points and shared game-high rebounding honors
with Ashe corralling 12 caroms.
*******************************************************************************
Thursday, November 9, 2000
USM Names New Assistant Women's Basketball Coaches
GORHAM, Maine -- Cara Millett, a former Boston University women's
basketball captain, and Wayne Martin, the Windham (Maine) seventh and eighth
grade boys basketball coach for the past two years, have been named assistant
women's basketball coaches at the University of Southern Maine. Head coach Gary
Fifield announced the appointments.
Southern Maine opens its 2000-2001 season hosting the USM Invitational
Tournament November 17-18. USM begins the tournament that Friday evening
playing Manhattanville College at 6:00 p.m., followed by Salem State College
squaring off with the University of Maine at Farmington at 8:00 p.m. The two
winners will play for the championship the following afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The
third place game will precede the title game at 1:00 p.m.
Millett spent last year as the freshman coach and assistant varsity coach
at Reading, Mass., High School. This is her first collegiate coaching position.
A four-year member of the B.U. women's basketball team, Millett was the
Terriers' starting point guard her last two seasons. She served as a tri-
captain during her senior year (1998-99) and received the team's Coaches Award.
A three-time selection to the America East academic honor roll, Millett scored
426 points, grabbed 239 rebounds and passed out 382 assists in her career. She
finished her B.U. career ranked fourth in assists and sixth in steals.
Martin has held a variety of coaching positions at the grade school and
high school levels. In addition to his basketball responsibilities at Windham,
he also served as the boys junior varsity soccer coach, the eighth grade boys
soccer coach and the middle school track coach. Prior to coming to Windham, he
was the girls varsity basketball coach and the middle school boys baseball coach
in Van Buren, Maine (MSAD #24).
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, November 7, 2000
Kimball, Shaw Named USM Women's Basketball Captains
GORHAM, Maine -- Seniors Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) and Erin Shaw
(Hancock, Maine) of the University of Southern Maine women's basketball team
have been named co-captains for the upcoming 2000-2001 season.
Veteran head coach Gary Fifield made the announcement following a vote by
the team's players. This is the first time that either player has served as a
captain.
Southern Maine opens its 2000-2001 season hosting the USM Invitational
Tournament November 17-18. USM opens the tournament that Friday evening playing
Manhattanville College at 6:00 p.m., followed by Salem State College squaring
off with the University of Maine at Farmington at 8:00 p.m. The two winners
will play for the championship the following afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The third
place game will precede the title game at 1:00 p.m.
Kimball, a 5-foot-9 small forward, is coming off a season where she
averaged 8.4 points and 4.2 rebounds playing all 32 games. Her play was
recognized by the coaches in the Little East Conference who voted her to the
second all-star team. For her career, Kimball has scored 424 points in 89
games.
Shaw, a 5-foot-5 guard, tallied 49 points and passed out 12 assists in 20
games last winter. She has netted 126 points in her career.
"They've both been with our program for three years, and both have been to
two national championship games. They know the history of the program and what
it takes to get to that level. Both lead by example and have done a great job
in the preseason making sure the team stays focused," commented Fifield who
guided the Huskies to a 26-6 overall record and their fourth straight Little
East championship last year.
"Amanda is a natural leader in terms of people following her lead. She's
certainly one of the better athletes in the Little East Conference and should be
one of the top players in the conference this season. I expect she'll be one of
the catalysts that ignites our team this year.
"Erin has tremendous leadership skills. She is a very intelligent player
with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. She'll provide us with plenty
of experience at both the point guard and shooting guard positions," said
Fifield.
The remainder of the Huskies' 2000-2001 schedule is as follows: Nov. 21,
at Bates (6:00); Nov. 28, at Bowdoin (7:30); Nov. 30, University of New England
(5:30); Dec. 2, Keene State (1:00); Dec. 6, at Colby (5:30); Dec. 9, UMass
Dartmouth (1:00); and Dec. 29-20 at the Land of Magic Class hosted by Embry
Riddle University,
Also, Jan. 4, Clark (6:00); Jan. 6, at Eastern Connecticut (31:00); Jan.
9, at Rhode Island College (5:30); Jan.13, Western Connecticut (1:00); Jan.
16, at UMass Boston (5:30); Jan. 20, at Keene State (1:00); Jan. 23, Plymouth
State (5:30); Jan. 27, at UMass Dartmouth (1:00); and Jan. 31, St. Joseph's
College (5:30).
The final month of the season includes games on Feb. 3, Eastern
Connecticut (1:00); Feb. 6, UMass Boston (5:30); Feb. 10, Rhode Island College
(1:00); Feb. 13, at Plymouth State (5:30); and Feb. 17, at Western Connecticut
(1:00).
The Little East Conference tournament, which will involve only the top six
teams, will have two first round game on February 20. The semifinals and finals
will be held at the site of the regular season champion on February 23-24. The
winner of the tournament will receive an automatic berth into the 2001 NCAA
Division III Women's Basketball Championship Tournament.
*******************************************************************************
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