University of Southern Maine Women's Basketball
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Friday, March 24, 2000
Julie Plant Named to ECAC Basketball All-Star Team
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine women's basketball team picked up another honor
when she was named to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Women's
Division III All-New England first team. The team, announced Friday (March 24)
from the ECAC's Centerville, Mass., headquarters, was selected by voting among
the coaches in the New England region.
Plant was named to the first team along with guard Marissa Garrity of
Clark University and forwards Emily King of Bates College, Gretchen MacColl of
Trinity College and Adrienne Johnson of Salem State College.
The 5-foot-7 Plant had previously been named the Little East Conference
Player of the Year and a first team all-star (third straight year), the Player
of the Year by the Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association (MWBCA), a first
team all-star by the New England Women's Basketball Coaches Association (NEWBA),
and a first team All-District One and honorable mention Kodak Division III All-
American by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). An excellent
student in the classroom, she also was named to the GTE/CoSIDA (College Sports
Information Directors of America) Academic All-District One second team.
Plant averaged 14.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game this
past season while leading the Huskies to a 26-6 overall record. USM won its
fourth straight Little East tournament championship and advanced to the title
game of the NCAA Division III tournament for the second time in the last three
seasons.
In her remarkable and much decorated four-year career, Plant scored 1,451
points and dished out 472 assists to rank fourth all-time in both categories.
Player of the Year
Marissa Garrity, Clark University
First Team:
G - Julie Plant, University of Southern Maine - Senior (Gorham, ME)
G - Marissa Garrity, Clark University - Senior (Clinton, MA)
F - Emily King, Bates College - Senior (Lebanon, NH)
F - Gretchen MacColl, Trinity College - Senior (Portland, OR)
F - Adrienne Johnson, Salem State College - Senior (Dorchester, MA)
Second Team:
G - Melissa Smock, Salem State College - Junior (Belmont, NH)
G - Stacey Kurtyka, Western Connecticut State University - Sophomore (Derby, CT)
G - Dawn Trowbridge, Middlebury College - Senior (Colbert, WA)
F - Rebecca Brooks, Williams College - Senior (Simsbury, CT)
F - Naomi Sullivan, Amherst College - Senior (Hudson, MA)
Honorable Mention:
Melissa Christmas, Eastern Nazarene College
Sacha Ashton, Worcester State College
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Saturday, March 18, 2000
Washington University Routs Southern Maine to Three-Peat
DANBURY, Conn. -- Senior guard Beth Ruether (Washington, Mo.) paced
three players in double figures as the Washington University Bears routed the
University of Southern Maine Huskies, 79-33, Saturday night to win their third
straight NCAA Division III Women's Basketball National Championship. The game
was played at Feldman Arena on the campus of Western Connecticut State
University.
The win was the 68th straight for the Bears who matched the 1971-72 and
1972-73 UCLA men's squads as the only teams in NCAA history to complete back-to-
back undefeated seasons. They are the first team in Division III women's
basketball history to win three consecutive titles. Washington U. completed the
season 30-0.
Southern Maine, which had extended its NCAA women's basketball record for
consecutive seasons winning 20-or-more games to 20 seasons in February, had its
seven-game win streak stopped and finished the year 26-6.
The game was the first championship rematch in the 19-year history of the
NCAA Division III women's basketball championship. Washington beat Southern
Maine in the 1998 championship game, 77-69, for its first title. The Bears set
a pair of championship game records by allowing the fewest points and the
largest margin of victory.
Washington took command of the game early. Tied at 5-5, the Bears went on
a 15-0 run, keyed by a pair of three-point baskets by junior Sara Ettner
(Marengo, Illinois), to open a 20-5 before the ten-minute mark. The lead grew
to a much as 25 before settling at 21 (38-17) at intermission.
"(Alia) Fischer and (Tasha) Rodgers get a lot of attention from the other
team. We do have outside shooters and they are the overlooked group of people.
It is very tough to defend when you can do both," commented WU head coach Nancy
Fahey.
The Bears shot 45 percent (25 for 56) for the game, including 53 percent
(8 for 15) from beyond the arc.
With All-Americans Fischer (Rochester, Minn.) and Rodgers (East St. Louis,
Illinois) dominating inside and Ruether hitting from beyond the three-point
line, the Huskies never threaten the Bears' growing lead in the second half.
The Bears defense was outstanding limiting the Huskies to season-lows of
33 points and 22 percent shooting from the floor, and also forced 18 turnovers.
Rodgers finished with 14 points while Fischer had a double double with 13
points and 11 rebounds.
Junior Jess Hopkins (Hampden, Maine) led Southern Maine with nine points.
Washington limited the Huskies' leading scorers, seniors Julie Plant (Gorham,
Maine) and Trish Ripton (Newport, Maine), to five and six points respectively.
"I don't know anyone at (the Division III) level that has any answers for
them," said USM coach Gary Fifield.
In the third place game, St. Thomas University placed four players in
double figures to defeat the University of Scranton, 66-56.
Named to the all-tournament team were Fischer and Rodgers of Washington
University, Ripton of Southern Maine, Kelly Halpin of the University of
Scranton, and Jennifer Ulstad of St. Thomas University.
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Friday, March 17, 2000
Huskies Advance to NCAA Title Game Against Washington U.
DANBURY, Conn. -- Senior forward Trisha Ripton (Newport, Maine) scored a
game-high 25 points, including making five of six free throws in the final 46
seconds, to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 49-42 victory
over the St. Thomas University Tommies in the second semifinal game of the 2000
NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship Tournament at Feldman Arena on
the campus of Western Connecticut State University Friday evening.
The win was the seventh straight for the Huskies who improved 26-5 on the
season and sets up a rematch of the 1998 championship game with two-time
defending champion Washington University Bears. The Bears, winners of their
last 67 games, punched their ticket into the final with a dominating 64-30 win
over the University of Scranton.
St. Thomas, which had won 26 straight entering Friday's semifinal, slips
to 27-2 and will play Scranton in the third place game at 6:00 p.m. Saturday.
Southern Maine and Washington Univ. will play for the championship at
approximately 8:00 p.m.
Despite being held to just two field goals in the second half (2 for 20,
10 percent), the Huskies maintained their lead throughout by making free throws
and playing tenacious defense. USM held the Tommies to just 25 percent (14 for
57) shooting from the floor for the game. Southern Maine did not score its
first basket of the second half until Ripton hit a three-point shot with 5:41
left in the game. The Huskies only other basket came on a layup by sophomore
Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) with 1:02 to play.
Southern Maine built a 33-21 halftime lead shooting 47 percent (9 for 19)
and converting 11 of 13 free throws. Ripton had 15 points at the break and
senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) added another 12.
St. Thomas, which came into the game shooting 45 percent for the season,
closed the gap to within four on a couple of occasions. Sophomore guard Missy
Pederson's (Plymouth, Minn.) three-point field goal with 49 seconds to go cut
the margin to 44-40.
Zahm came up with a big offensive rebound of a Ripton missed free throw
with 47 second left and got the ball back to Ripton who was immediately fouled.
The senior, who transferred in to USM at mid-year, calmly sank both free throws.
Ripton added another two free throws with 30 seconds left to push the lead
to eight (48-40). St. Thomas answered back with a pair of free throws by
Pederson with 14 seconds left, and Ripton closed the game making one of two
charity tosses with eight seconds left.
Ripton hit four of 10 shots from the floor, including three of eight from
beyond the arc, and made 14 of 17 free throws for her 25 points. Plant finished
13 points. Zahm had a game-high 15 rebounds.
Pederson led the Tommies with 13 points. Senior Molly Hayden (Eden
Prairie, Minn.) was the only other player in double figures with 10 points.
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Wednesday, March 15, 2000
Julie Plant Named to WBCA All-District One Team
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine women's basketball team is among the 41 finalists
announced Wednesday (March 15) by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association
(WBCA) for the 2000 Division III Kodak Women's All-America Basketball Team.
The 10-member All-America team is chosen by the WBCA, in cooperation with
the Eastman Kodak Company. The 10 All-Americans are expected to be announced
this weekend as part of the festivities at the NCAA Division III National
Championship Tournament finals in Danbury, Conn.
Plant is among the 41 finalist after earning a spot on the All-District
One team. She is the eighth different Southern Maine player to be named to the
WBCA All-District One team, which automatically makes her eligible for the All-
America team, since 1983. She joins three-time honorees Maureen Burchill (1983,
1984, 1985) and Joanna Brown (1996, 1997, 1998), two-time recipients Diana Duff
(1988, 1989), Nancy Love (1989, 1990) and Allison Gagnon (1992, 1993), and Laura
Pate (1991) and Tracy Libby (1999) among the USM players honored by the WBCA.
District One is comprised of the six New England states.
The other five players named to the All-District One team included Rebecca
Brooks of Williams College, Marissa Garrity of Clark University, Emily King of
Bates College, Gretchen MacColl of Trinity College and Melissa Smock of Salem
State College.
The 5-foot-7 guard is averaging 14.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists
in 30 games this season. She helped guide Southern Maine to a 25-5 overall
record and a spot in this weekend's NCAA Division III finals being hosted at
Western Connecticut State University.
For her outstanding play this season, Plant has been named the Little East
Conference Player of the Year and a first team all-star (third straight year),
the Player of the Year by the Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association, and
a first team all-star by the New England Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
During her standout four-year career that has covered 120 games, Plant has
scored 1,433 points (4th all-time), grabbed 401 rebounds, dished out 471 assists
(4th all-time) and made 259 steals (6th all-time).
WBCA Division III All-America Finalists
District One
Rebecca Brooks, Williams
Marissa Garrity, Clark
Emily King, Bates
Gretchen MacColl, Trinity
Julie Plant, Southern Maine
Melissa Smock, Salem State
District Two
Liz Brown, William Smith
Sarah Curley, Nazareth
Meredith Eisenhut, St. Lawrence
Jen Feneli, SUNY-Brockport
Tiffany Hurley, Hartwick
District Three
Erin Caulfield, Mary Washington
Felicia Harris, St. Mary's (Md.)
Ronda Jo Miller, Gallaudet
Lisa Neylan, Salisbury State
Meg Renna, William Paterson
District Four
Kate Corcoran, Allentown
Michelle Costa, Gwynedd-Mercy
Abbie Fabian, Elizabethtown
Kelly Halpin, Scranton
Joanne Polakoski, King's College
District Five
Jennifer Bulkeley, Univ. of the South
Tara Carleton, Randolph-Macon Women's
Arden Miller, Guilford
Katthryn Otwell, Hardin Simmons
Lauren Turnbow, Hendrix
District Six
Anjee Beard, Baldwin-Wallace
Josie Eilerman, Wilmington
Lisa Hoekstra, Hope
Kendra Meyer, Capital
Katy Sturtz, Ohio Wesleyan
District Seven
Jayme Anderson, Wisconsin Eau Claire
Jill Dewane, Lakeland
Alia Fischer, Washington (Mo.)
Vanessa Rieder, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Tasha Rodgers, Washington (Mo.)
District Eight
April Abeyta, Chapman
Molly Hayden, St. Thomas
Jodi Ottersburg, Dubuque
Emily Tonn, Simpson
Laura Wendorff, St. Benedict
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Saturday, March 11, 2000
Huskies Headed to the Division III Final Four
GLASSBORO, N.J. -- Sophomore forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) keyed
a decisive 13-2 run by scoring six of her career-high 19 points midway through
the second half to help the University of Southern Maine Huskies earn their
second trip to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship Finals in
the past three years by defeating the Rowan University Profs, 65-62, in the
Sectional Finals at the Esby Gymnasium Saturday evening.
The win was the Huskies sixth straight in postseason play since losing
their regular season finale. Southern Maine heads to the Final Four with a 25-5
overall record. Rowan ended its season 24-4.
The NCAA semifinals and finals will be played Friday and Saturday (March
17-18) at the O'Neil Center on the campus of Western Connecticut State
University in Danbury, Conn. Two-time defending championship Washington
University (St. Louis, Mo.) will play the University of Scranton (Penn.) in the
first semifinal at 6:00 p.m. Friday followed by Southern Maine playing St.
Thomas University (St. Paul, Minn.) at 8:00 p.m. The third place and
championship games will be played Saturday at the 6:00 and 8:00 p.m.,
respectively.
With the game tied at 39-39 with 11:24 to play, Zahm scored two straight
baskets to put the Huskies into the lead for good. Senior Trish Ripton
(Newport, Maine) scored on a layup, and Zahm's three-point play pushed the
Huskies' lead to nine (48-39).
After the Profs' Stephanie Allocco (Parlin, N.J.) made both ends of a one-
and-one to break the Huskies' run, USM juniors Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine)
and Jess Hopkins (Hampden, Maine) scored to give the Huskies their largest lead
of the game, 52-41, with 7:42 to play.
Still leading by 11 (56-45) with 3:34 to play, the Huskies had to
withstand a furious Rowan comeback bid. A 7-0 Profs' run cut the margin to four
(56-52) with 1:56 to play.
In the final minute, Ripton made four free throws to keep the Huskies in
the lead. A three-point play by Rowan sophomore Kristi McCullough (Marlton,
N.J.) with nine seconds left got the Profs within one (63-62).
Ripton made the first of two free throws, and Zahm grabbed the rebound
with seven seconds left. Zahm got the ball to senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham,
Maine) who was fouled with one second left. Plant made the second of two free
throws to restore a three-point lead (65-62), and the Huskies survived a
desperation three-point try at the buzzer.
Zahm, who had her previous career high of 18 points in Friday night's
Sectional semifinal win over Clark University, converted nine of ten shots from
the floor and one of two free throws. She also pulled down a game-high 13
rebounds. Ripton ended up with 14 points, and Kimball contributed 12. The
Huskies shot 53 percent (16 for 30) in the second half after a shooting a cold
35 percent (11 for 31) in the opening 20 minutes.
McCullough led three Rowan players in double figures with 15 points.
Sophomore Lisa Guide (Gloucester, N.J.) chipped in with 12 points and freshman
Kathy Darling (Milford, Del.) added 10 points.
Southern Maine will be making its third trip to the Division III Final Four. The Huskies have previously gone in 1988 and 1998. This was the Huskies'
eighth trip to the Sectional finals.
Named to the all-tournament team were Zahm and Ripton from Southern Maine,
Donna Clark (Collingswood, N.J.) and Darling from Rowan, and Marissa Garrity of
Clark University.
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Friday, March 10, 2000
Huskies Advance to Elite Game Against Rowan
GLASSBORO, N.J. -- Senior forward Trish Ripton (Newport, Maine),
sophomore forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) and senior guard Julie Plant
(Gorham, Maine) combined for 54 points as the University of Southern Maine
Huskies defeated the Clark University Cougars, 77-61, in the Sectional semifinal
game of the 2000 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship Tournament at
Esby Gymnasium on the campus Rowan University.
The win catapults the Huskies into the Sectional finals Saturday evening
(6:30 p.m.) against Rowan University. The winner advances to next weekend's
Division III Final Four in Danbury, Conn. Rowan advanced to the Sectional
finals by defeating Eastern Nazarene College, 70-44.
Southern Maine never trailed in the game jumping out to a 16-2 lead five
minutes into the game. Zahm had seven points and Plant, who had a career high
10 assists, hit a three-point shot and dished out four assists in the early run.
Ripton came off the bench to give the Huskies' offense an added lift with
11 first half points, including a pair of three-point shots late in the half.
The Huskies shot a blistering 66.7 percent (18 for 27) in the first half
to build a 45-26 lead at the break. USM was four of four from beyond the arc in
the first half.
Clark made a brief run at the Huskies midway through the second half. A
7-0 run by the Cougars cut the lead to 15 (60-45) with 7:19 to go after senior
Nicole Dais (Plymouth, Mass.) hit a three-point shot.
Sophomore Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) and Zahm responded for the
Huskies to push the lead back up to 19 with 6:23 to play. The teams traded
baskets over the final six minutes as Clark got no closer than 17 until senior
Marissa Garrity (Clinton, Mass.) hit a three-point shot at the end for the final
margin.
Ripton led the Huskies with 21 points and hit four of four from three-
point territory. Zahm had a career-high 18 points and a team-high seven
rebound. Plant finished with 15 points to go along with her 10 assists.
Southern Maine finished the night shooting a season-high 60.4 percent (29 for
48) from the field, including eight of nine from three-point range.
Garrity led all scorers with 27 points, but shot just 12 of 31 from the
floor. Clark, which came into the game shooting 41 percent for the season, was
held to just 36 percent shooting (23 for 64).
Saturday's game will be Southern Maine's eighth appearance in the
Sectional finals. Rowan will be making its third appearance in the Sectional
finals. The two teams have met once before back in the 1993 NCAA tournament.
Southern Maine won that game 75-48.
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Monday, March 6, 2000
USM's Julie Plant Named MWBCA Player of the Year
Jaime Zahm Named to All-State Second Team
Jess Libby Named to All-Rookie Team
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior co-captain Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine women's basketball team picked up another major
award Monday afternoon when she named the Maine Women's Basketball Coaches
Association (MWBCA) Player of the Year following voting done by the state's 13
head coaches.
The MWBCA also announced that sophomore forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier,
Vt.) had been named to the All-State second team, and freshman forward Jess
Libby (Orono, Maine) was selected to the All-Rookie Team.
The all-state teams, the all-rookie team and the individual award winners
will be honored at a banquet at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine, on Tuesday,
April 11.
Plant is the third different USM player in the last three seasons to win
the award, following Tracy Libby last year and Joanna Brown in 1997-98. This is
her second major award in the last eight days. She was named the Little East
Conference Player of the Year and an LEC first team all-star last week. Also
an outstanding student majoring in communication, she was named to the
GTE/College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-
District One second team last week.
The 5-foot-7 guard has led the Huskies to a 23-5 overall mark this season
and a spot in this weekend's NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship
Sectional Semifinals. USM will play Clark University (21-8) at 7:30 p.m. Friday
evening in the second sectional semifinal. Rowan University (22-3) will play
Eastern Nazarene College (25-2) in the other semifinal at 5:30 p.m. Rowan is
hosting the Sectional semifinals and finals.
The 13th player in the history of the USM women's basketball program to
score over 1,000 career points, Plant is averaging 15.1 points, 3.4 rebounds,
3.7 assists and 2.2 steals per game for the Huskies heading into the sectional
semifinals. She led the second-seeded Huskies to their fourth straight Little
East Conference tournament championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA
tournament by averaging 20.3 points and 3.3 assists in three games. She shot
51.4 percent from the floor and 93.8 percent at the foul line in the LEC
tournament.
Zahm is averaged 8.9 points and 9.0 rebounds per game in her first
campaign as a starter. The 6-footer is shooting a team-high 47.7 percent from
the field and has blocked 52 shots in 27 games. Zahm also was named to the All-
LEC first team last week.
Libby came off the bench this season to contribute 3.5 points and 1.9
rebounds per game while playing eight minutes a game.
Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association
1999-2000 All-State Teams, All-Rookie Team and Individual Awards
Player of the Year
Julie Plant, Senior, Guard, University of Southern Maine
Rookie of the Year
Sarah Walsh, Forward, Colby College
Coach of the Year
Jim Murphy, Bates College
First Team All-State Second Team All-State
Emily King, Bates College Erin Cole-Karagory, Colby College
Stacey Gelinas, St. Joseph's College Kate McLaughlin, Bates College
Katie Nye, Husson College Becky Roak, University of Maine at Farmington
Kelly A. Dow, Husson College Jaime Zahm, University of Southern Maine
Amanda Rogerson, Univ. of New England Michele Plant, Univ. of New England
All-Rookie Team
Erin Lovely, Thomas College
Kristi Royer, Bowdoin College
Marcy Grossman, Bates College
Angela Robb, University of Maine at Machias
Jess Libby, University of Southern Maine
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Saturday, March 4, 2000
NCAA Division III Championship Tournament - Northeast Section -- Second Round
Huskies Hang On to Beat Lady Vikings, 72-68
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) scored 28
points, including six three-point baskets, as the University of Southern Maine
Huskies hung on down the stretch to defeat the Salem State College Lady Vikings
in a second round game in the Northeast Section of the 2000 NCAA Division III
Women's Basketball Championship Tournament at the Warren Hill Gymnasium Saturday
afternoon.
The win moves the Huskies into the "Sweet Sixteen" for the 11th time in
the last 14 years. The Huskies will play Clark University next Friday (March
10) at a site and time to be announced. Clark upset top-seeded Bates College,
63-59, in the other Northeast Section second round game. Southern Maine won its
fourth straight game to improve to 23-5.
Salem State had its 15-game winning streak stopped and finished the season
20-8 after a 3-6 start.
Plant helped the Huskies build a 12-point halftime lead (37-25) scoring 15
points, including making four of seven shots from beyond the arc. Salem State
scored the game's first four points to lead 4-0 before the Huskies, ignited by a
Plant three-pointer, went on a 15-0 run over a four minute span to take command.
Salem State came back with an 8-2 run to pull within five (17-12) on a
basket and free throw by senior Kara Lunden (Lynn, Mass.) with 10:59 left.
Southern Maine responded with a 12-2 run over the next five minutes to build its
biggest lead (29-14) of the half. Plant, senior Trish Ripton (Newport, Maine)
and Plant again hit shots from behind the arc during the run.
The Huskies were able to maintain their double-digit lead over the first
five minutes of the second half before the Lady Vikings, who eliminated the
Huskies last season in the second round on the way to a third place finish, got
back into the game.
Freshman Kara Smolinsky (Ashburnham, Mass.) got the Lady Vikings going
with four points as Salem State put together a 12-2 run to cut the margin to
five (48-43) with 10:14 to play.
A 6-2 spurt by the Huskies pushed the lead back into double figures
(60-49) before Smolinsky went wild. The rookie guard scored ten straight points
to pull the Lady Vikings within one (60-59) with 2:12 to play.
Ripton converted an offensive rebound with 1:57 to play for the Huskies.
Senior Adrienne Johnson (Dorchester, Mass.) made a pair of free throws with 1:47
to play to get Salem within one for the final time.
Junior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) scored on a short jumper, and
sophomore Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) scored on a three-point play inside to
give the Huskies a six-point edge (67-61) with 43 seconds to play. USM made
five of eight free throw attempts in the final 34 seconds to offset a basket by
Johnson, a three-point by Smolinsky and two free throws by junior Melissa Smock
(Belmont, N.H.).
Plant hit nine of 19 shots, including six of 10 from three-point
territory, on the way to her 28 points which is one shy of her career high.
Kimball ended up with 14 points and Ripton came off the bench to finish with 13
points. Zahm had nine points and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Smolinsky made 11 of 16 shots, including five of seven three-point tries,
on the way to a game-high 30 points. Johnson had 15 points and Smock had 13
points.
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Tuesday, February 29, 2000
Plant Named to Academic All-District Team
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine women's basketball team has been named to the 2000
GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-District One Women's Basketball second team for the
college division following balloting by the District One sports information
directors.
The GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-America program is conduct annually by the
College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). To be nominated by
their respective schools, student-athletes must maintain at least a 3.20
cumulative grade point average and be a starter or important reserve with
legitimate athletic credentials.
Plant, a communication major with a 3.52 GPA, was recently named the
Little East Conference Player of the Year, and for the third consecutive year
was named to the All-LEC first team. The 5-foot-7 guard led the Huskies to
their fourth straight conference tournament championship and an automatic berth
in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.
This season, Plant is averaging 14.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists
per game. She also leads the team in steals (61). For her career, she has
scored 1382 points to rank fifth on the all-time scoring list, dished out 452
assists (fifth all-time), and been credited with 256 steals (sixth all-time).
A two-sport standout (basketball and softball), Plant was named to the
college division All-District One softball first team last year.
2000 GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-District I Women's Basketball Team
-College Division-
First Team
Name School Cl. Hometown GPA Major
Susan Damaske Univ. of Rochester Sr. Victor, N.Y. 3.93 Brain & Cognitive Science
Cristina Estrada M.I.T. Jr. Bogata, Columbia 4.9 (5.0) Economics
Bess Greenberg Binghamton Univ. Jr. Vestal, N.Y. 3.84 English
Stacy Mattioli Assumption College Sr. Sturbridge, Mass. 3.84 Psychology
Julie Stockwell Stonehill College Sr. Foster, R.I. 3.41 Elementary Education
Second Team
Name School Cl. Hometown GPA Major
Lauren Kernochan Smith College Sr. Santa Monica, Calif. 3.73 Biochemistry
Nicole RaRocque College of St. Rose Sr. Randolph, Vt. 3.44 Psychology
Erin Lunde Wellesley College Sr. Joseph. Ore. 3.89 Biological Chemistry
Julie Plant Univ. of Southern Maine Sr. Gorham, Maine 3.52 Communication
Jolene Thurston Bates College Sr. Post Mills, Vt. 3.76 Chemistry
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Monday, February 28, 2000
USM's Julie Plant Named Little East Conference Player of the Year
Three Huskies Named to LEC All-Star Teams
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine women's basketball has been named Player of the
Year in the Little East Conference for the recently completed 1999-2000 season.
Conference commissioner William M. Moore announced the individual awards and
all-star teams Sunday evening following voting by the conference's eight head
coaches.
In addition, Plant and sophomore forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) were
named to the All-Little East Conference first team, and junior small forward
Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) was named to the all-conference second team.
Plant is the fifth different USM player to win Player of the Year honors.
She joins three-time winner Joanna Brown (1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98), two-time
honoree Allison Gagnon (1991-92, 1992-93), Nancy Love (1988-89) and Diana Duff
(1987-88) as recipients of the award.
"Julie has certainly had a great four-year career here at Southern Maine
and is very, very deserving of this award. She's been starter since her
freshman year, and has been a key player for us since day one.
"What separates her from other players is her competitiveness and the
intensity she brings to the game," said veteran head coach Gary Fifield.
"It is also a great honor for Jaime and Amanda, as underclassmen, to be
recognized by the other coaches for their contributions to our program," added
Fifield.
Plant led the Huskies to their fourth straight Little East Conference
tournament championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament by
averaging 20.3 points and 3.3 assists in three games. She shot 51.4 percent
from the floor and 93.8 percent at the foul line in the LEC tournament. For the
season, she is averaging 14.6 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game.
Southern Maine takes a 22-5 overall record into the NCAA tournament.
Zahm averaged 8.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per game in her first campaign
as a starter. The 6-footer shot a team-high 48.1 percent from the field and
blocked 52 shots in 26 games.
Kimball averaged 8.6 points and 4.1 rebounds in her first season as
starter.
1999-2000 Little East Conference Women's Basketball All-Stars
First Team
Player Class Position Institution Hometown
Stacey Kurtyka Sophomore Guard Western Connecticut State Univ. Derby, Conn.
Emily Nester Senior Forward/Center Eastern Connecticut State Univ. Coventry, R.I.
Julie Plant Senior Guard University of Southern Maine Gorham, Maine
Jaime Zahm Sophomore Forward/Center University of Southern Maine Montpelier, Vt.
Darcy Mund Sophomore Guard Eastern Connecticut State Univ. Marlborough, Conn.
Courtney Jacques Senior Guard Plymouth State College Belmont, N.H
Second Team
Jen Cook Senior Forward Rhode Island College West Warwick, R.I.
Megan Jalbert Senior Center Keene State College Jaffrey, N.H.
Amanda Kimball Junior Forward University of Southern Maine Arundel, Maine
Kim Palmer Senior Guard Eastern Connecticut State Univ. Weston, Conn.
Krystyna Zagorski Junior Forward Plymouth State College Matawan, N.J.
Player of the Year
Julie Plant, Senior, Guard, University of Southern Maine
Rookie of the Year
Courtney Albert, Freshman, Forward/Center, Plymouth State College
Coach of the Year
Jody Rajcula, Western Connecticut State University
*******************************************************************************
Sunday, February 27, 2000
USM Draws First Round Bye in NCAA Tournament
Huskies to Host Winner of Salem State-Wellesley in Second Round
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Huskies women's
basketball team, tournament champions in the Little East Conference for the 11th
time in the last 14 years, has drawn a first round bye in the Northeast Regional
of the 2000 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship Tournament that
begins Wednesday night. The entire 50-team tournament field was announced by
the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Selection Committee Sunday evening.
The Huskies (22-5), who earned an automatic berth in the tournament by
winning the Little East tournament, will play the winner of Wednesday night's
game between Salem State College (19-7), champion of the Massachusetts State
College Athletic Conference, and Wellesley College (21-3) on Saturday.
In the other half of the regional bracket, Bates College (21-3) has drawn
the first round bye and will play the winner of the first round game between
Clark University (19-8) and Norwich University (18-9).
This will be Southern Maine's sixth consecutive trip to the NCAA
tournament, and 14th in the last 15 seasons since moving from the National
Association for Intercollegiate Athletics to NCAA in 1985. The Huskies best
finishes in the tournament were second place in 1998 and fourth place in 1988.
USM has compiled a 24-14 mark in NCAA tournament play.
Southern Maine compiled a 22-5 overall record this season and rolled
through the Little East Conference tournament beating the University of
Massachusetts Dartmouth, Eastern Connecticut State University and Plymouth State
College.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, February 26, 2000
Little East Conference Tournament -- Championship Game
Ripton, Huskies Rout Panthers in LEC Title Game, 87-40
DANBURY, Conn. -- Senior Trish Ripton (Newport, Maine) scored a game-
high 28 points, grabbed 11 rebounds and dished out seven assists to earn Most
Outstanding Player honors as the second seeded University of Southern Maine
Huskies won their fourth straight Little East Conference tournament championship
with an 87-40 rout of the fifth-seeded Plymouth State College Panthers Saturday
afternoon at the O'Neil Center on the campus of Western Connecticut State
University.
The tournament championship was the Huskies' 11th in the 14-year history
of the Little East Conference. Southern Maine, which earned an automatic berth
in the NCAA Division III Tournament that will be announced Sunday evening,
improved its overall record to 22-5. Plymouth State, making its first-ever
appearance in the LEC title game after upsetting top-seeded Western Connecticut
State University Friday night, slips to 19-8 and awaits a possible ECAC
tournament berth on Monday.
Trailing 11-8 following a three-point basket by PSC junior Kate Fillion
(Littleton, N.H.), the Huskies went on a 40-10 scoring binge over the final 15
minutes to build a 48-21 halftime lead and put the game away early. Ripton had
13 and senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) added 11 to lead the Huskies.
Plant finished with 13 points and four steals, and junior Amanda Kimball
(Arundel, Maine) chipped in 12 points. Sophomore Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.)
had nine points and grabbed a game-high 14 rebounds.
Senior Courtney Jacques (Belmont, N.H.) was the lone PSC player to reach
double figures finishing with 10 points. The Panthers were stone cold from the
field hitting just 14 of 74 shots in the game (19 percent). PSC came into the
game as the LEC's top offensive team (74.8 ppg) while USM was the top defensive
team (49.4 ppg allowed).
Named to the all-tournament team were Plant, Jacques and freshman
Jennifer Pelletier (Derry, N.H.) of Plymouth State, senior Kim Palmer of Eastern
Connecticut State University (Weston, Conn.) and sophomore Stacey Kurtyka of
Western Connecticut (Derby, Conn.).
*******************************************************************************
Friday, February 25, 2000
Little East Conference Tournament -- Semifinal Game
Plant Scores Career-High 29 to Lead Huskies to LEC Championship Game
DANBURY, Conn. -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) scored a
career-high 29 points to lead the second seeded University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a 71-57 victory over the third seeded Eastern Connecticut State
University Warriors in the semifinals of the Little East Conference Championship
Tournament being played at Feldman Arena on the campus of Western Connecticut
State University.
The win puts the Huskies into the title game for the sixth straight year.
USM will play fifth-seeded Plymouth State College which upset top-seeded Western
Connecticut State University, 80-66, in the other semifinal. Southern Maine is
21-5 overall while Eastern Connecticut goes home with a 17-9 record.
Southern Maine used a 16-4 run over the final eight minutes of the first
half to erase a four-point deficit (25-21) and take a 37-29 lead to the locker
room. Senior guard Trish Ripton (Newport, Maine) came off the bench to give the
Huskies a spark scoring nine points during the run.
Plant scored 18 of her 29 points in the second half as the Huskies were
able to maintain their lead throughout. The Warriors drew within four (42-38)
with 15:32 to play when senior Emily Nester (Coventry, R.I.) scored.
Plant responded for USM by scoring the next eight points, including a pair
of three-point shots, to push the lead into double figures (50-38). Eastern
Connecticut got no closer than eight points on two occasions (last at 52-44 with
10:44 to play) the rest of the way.
Ripton finished the game with 15 points, four assists and three steals.
Sophomore Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) came off the bench to chip in 10
points. Plant connected on nine of 15 shots, including two of four trifectas,
and sank all nine free throws she took for her 29 points. Sophomore Jaime Zahm
(Montpelier, Vt.) had a strong game defensively and pulled down a game-high 14
rebounds.
Senior Kim Palmer (Weston, Conn.) was the lone ECSU player to reach double
figures with 20 points.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 22, 2000
Little East Conference Tournament -- First Round Game
Plant Paces Huskies in Rout of Corsairs
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) scored a game-
high 19 points and was one of three players in double figures as the second-
seeded University of Southern Maine Huskies (20-5) cruised to a 85-40 victory
over the visiting seventh-seeded University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Corsairs
in the opening round of the Little East Conference tournament Tuesday night at
the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win gives the Huskies a 20-5 overall record, and extends the school's
NCAA women's basketball record of 20 or more wins in a season to 20 consecutive
years. The Corsairs, who stunned the Huskies back in December, finished the
season at 8-17.
The game started out close as UMass Dartmouth held a two point lead,
13-11, with 12:41 left in the first half. The Huskies then blew the game open by
going on a 16-0 run over a seven-minute span to lead 27-13 when junior Amanda
Kimball (Arundel, Maine) scored.
Junior forward Melissa Gears (Rochester, N.Y.) stopped the run for the
Corsairs by netting a two-pointer with 5:42 remaining in the half, but that
would be the last basket the Corsairs would score in the half. Southern Maine
closed out the half scoring the final 14 points to take a 41-15 lead to the
locker room.
UMass Dartmouth was unable to make up any of the deficit in the second
half as the Huskies used a 58 percent field goal shooting in the second half to
seal the win.
Joining Plant in double figures were Kimball and freshman guard Jessica
Libby (Orono, Maine) who scored 12 and 13 points, respectively. Sophomore
forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, VT) grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
The Corsairs were paced by sophomore guard Jess Cummings (Middleboro,
Mass.) who scored eight points.
Southern Maine advances to the conference tournament semifinals to play
Eastern Connecticut State University this Friday at Western Connecticut State
University. Top-seeded Western Conn. will play fifth-seeded Plymouth State
College in the other semifinal. The two winners will meet on Saturday for the
conference championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, February 19, 2000
Colonials Top Huskies 69-66
GORHAM, Maine -- Sophomore Stacey Kurtyka (Derby, Conn.) and junior Erin
Zagaski (Colchester, Conn.) combined to make six of eight free throws in the
final minute as the Western Connecticut State University Colonials hung on to
beat the University of Southern Maine Huskies, 69-66, in a Little East
Conference game Saturday afternoon at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win improved the Colonials overall mark to 18-6 and 12-2 in the Little
East. Western Connecticut will be the top seed in next week's conference
tournament and host the University of Massachusetts Boston on Tuesday. Despite
the loss, the Huskies will be the second seed in the tournament and host the
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. Southern Maine is 19-5 overall and 9-5
in conference play.
Western Connecticut swept the regular season series for the first time
since joining the Little East in 1993, and beat the Huskies in Gorham for the
first time in 12 tries.
Southern Maine had clawed its way back to within one (63-62) of the
Colonials when sophomore Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) scored on a short jumper
inside with 1:26 to play. Kurtyka hit a pair of free throws with 41 seconds to
go to push the margin back to three.
Junior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) got USM within one again when she
banked a shot in off the backboard with 23 seconds left. Zagaski was fouled
immediately on the inbounds, and calmly sank two free throws. After the Huskies
missed, Zagaski was fouled again and made the first of two shots to give the
visitors a four-point edge (68-64).
Senior Trisha Ripton (Newport, Maine) cut the deficit in half with seven
seconds to go. Kurtyka made the first of two free throws to make it 69-66. USM
senior Julie Plant's (Gorham, Maine) three-point shot from the top of the key
hit the rim, but bounced out.
Western got out of the blocks quickly taking an 8-0 lead before Plant got
the Huskies on the board. USM trailed throughout the half and closed within one
(33-32) on Plant's layup at the buzzer. Junior Arianna Dolock (Charlestown,
R.I.) paced the Colonials with 13 first half points.
Southern Maine used an 8-2 run to open the second half and took the lead
40-35 on Kimball's basket. Western erased the Huskies' lead (44-39) when
Kurtyka hit a three-point shot and Dolock hit a jumper.
Kurtyka's second three-point basket snapped a 53-53 tie with 7:42 left to
give the Colonials the lead for good.
Kurtyka and Dolock each finished with 15 points to lead the Colonials, and
junior Deanita Lane (Newburgh, N.Y.) added 12 points. Dolock also grabbed a
game high eight rebounds.
Ripton paced the Huskies with 17 points and Plant added 16. Kimball
finished with 12 points and Zahm chipped in 10.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 15, 2000
Huskies Put Away Panthers, 79-58
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior Trish Ripton (Newport, Maine) came of the bench
to score 16 points, grab seven rebounds and dish out six assists to pace the
University of Southern Maine Huskies to a convincing 79-58 victory over the
Plymouth State College Panthers in a Little East Conference women's basketball
game Tuesday night at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win was the third straight to the Huskies who moved within one win of
their 20th straight 20-win season, and avenged an earlier loss at the hands of
the Panthers. Southern Maine, which host regular season champion Western
Connecticut on Saturday with chance to still finish second in the final
standings, is 19-4 overall and 9-4 in conference play.
Plymouth State lost for just the second time in the its last eight outings
to slip to 16-7 overall and 7-6 in the conference. The Panthers host UMass
Dartmouth Saturday.
The Huskies used a balanced attack and a tough defense to build a 45-25
halftime. All nine USM players that saw action in the first half scored, led by
Ripton with 11 and senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine ) with seven.
Senior Courtney Jacques (Belmont, N.H.) had pulled PSC within six (27-21)
with a three-point shot with 6:30 to play in the half. But Plant answered right
back with a three-pointer of her own to ignite an 18-4 run over the final 6:23
that gave the Huskies the big halftime cushion. Plant had all seven of her
first half points, and Ripton added five, during the run.
Plymouth never threaten the Huskies in the second half as the margin grew
to as many as 26 (71-45). The Panthers were within 17 (60-43) with 11:30 to
play when freshman Whitney Morin (Derby Line, Vt.) made one of two free throws,
but the Huskies outscored the Panthers 11-2 over the next six minutes to put the
decision out of doubt. Junior Jessica Hopkins (Hampden, Maine) and sophomore
Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) accounted for nine of the 11 points in that
run.
Plant finished the game with 11 points and five assists while Hopkins
contributed 10 points and seven rebounds. Ten of the 11 players that saw action
for the Huskies found their way into the scoring column.
Jacques led the Panthers with 14 points, and junior forward Krystyna
Zagorski (Matawan, N.J.) had 12 points. The Panthers hurt themselves by
shooting just 31 percent (21 for 68) and committing 27 turnovers.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, February 12, 2000
Strong First Half Lifts Huskies Past Anchorwomen
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The University of Southern Maine Huskies used a
balanced offensive attack and a stifling defense to build a 17-point lead by
halftime and cruised home for a 58-41 victory over the Rhode Island College
Anchorwomen in a Little East Conference game Saturday afternoon at the
Intercollegiate Athletic Complex.
The victory improved the Huskies record to 18-4 overall and 8-4 in Little
East play. Rhode Island lost for the fourth time in the last five games to fall
to 6-15 overall and 4-8 in conference play. Each team has two conference games
remaining in the regular season.
Eight different players contributed points for the Huskies in the first
half. USM scored the first seven points of the game, and never lead by less
than five. Freshman forward Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) sparked an 8-1 run
over the final 1:57 to leave the Huskies with a 32-15 lead at the break.
The Huskies defense held the Anchorwomen to just 22 percent (6 for 27)
shooting and forced nine turnovers in the first half.
Southern Maine pushed the lead as high as 22 (50-28) when junior Amanda
Kimball (Arundel, Maine) scored on the break. RIC, sparked by eight points from
senior forward Christine Martin (Middletown, R.I.), used a 10-0 run get within
12 (50-38) with four minutes to play.
Southern Maine clamped down defensively and outscored the Anchorwomen,
8-3, over the final four minutes.
Senior Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) was the lone USM player to reach double
figures scoring a game-high 10 points, and she grabbed eight rebounds. Five
other players scored seven or more points, and ten players in all scored points
for USM.
RIC's Martin led all scorers with 16 points.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, February 8, 2000
Huskies Explode Past Beacons 97-54
BOSTON, Mass. -- Junior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) scored a
game-high 15 points to pace six players in double figures as the University of
Southern Maine Huskies exploded with their largest offensive outburst since the
February 1997 to defeat the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons, 97-54,
in a Little East Conference game Tuesday night at the Clark Athletic Center.
The win was the Huskies' 35th straight against the Beacons since the
series began in 1984, and improved USM's overall record to 17-4 and 7-4 in the
Little East Conference. UMass Boston fell to 3-18 overall and 0-11 in the
conference.
Southern Maine's 97 points were the most scored by the Huskies since they
reach 100 points against St. Joseph's College in February 1997.
The Huskies left little doubt to the final results racing to a 50-20
halftime lead. USM outscored UMB, 19-0, over a five-and-a-half minute span to
go from a 12-9 lead to a 31-9 advantage. USM shot 51 percent (18 for 35) in the
half while holding the Beacons to 27 percent shooting (8 for 30) and forcing 11
turnovers. Junior forward Jessica Hopkins (Hampden, Maine) led the Huskies'
first half onslaught with 11 points, including a three-point field goal.
Joining Kimball in double figures for the Huskies were Hopkins and senior
guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) each with 13 points, junior Erin Shaw
(Hancock, Maine) and senior Trish Ripton (Newport, Maine) with 11 points, and
sophomore forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) finished with 10 points. Hopkins
led all rebounders with eight caroms. Zahm blocked five shots and senior point
guard Danielle DeGraw (Bristol, Vt.) contributed nine assists and four steals.
Junior guard Seiko Kudo (Aomori, Japan) led the Beacons with 12 points.
UMass Boston shot just 33 percent (22 for 67) from the floor and committed 25
turnovers in the game.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, February 5, 2000
Warriors Hold Off Ice Cold Huskies
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Seniors Kim Palmer (Weston, Conn.) and Nicole
DuPont (Waterford, Conn.) combined for 32 points as the Eastern Connecticut
State University Warriors defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies for
the first time in ten games, 59-51, in a Little East Conference game Saturday
afternoon.
The win was Eastern Connecticut's first against Southern Maine since the
Warriors beat the Huskies in the Little East tournament title game in 1996. The
Warriors won their fourth straight game, and sixth in the last seven, to improve
to 15-5 overall and 8-2 in the conference. Southern Maine slips to 16-4 overall
and 6-4 in the conference. All four losses have come on the road.
The Warriors jumped out to an early 9-2 lead as the Huskies were cold from
the field. DuPont had five points in the early going. The Huskies finally
began to find the range to tie the game at 11-11 midway through the half.
Southern Maine took its first lead (18-15) of the game when senior Trish Ripton
(Newport, Maine) hit a three-point shot with 7:37 left in the half, and the
Huskies were able to maintain the lead until halftime (27-23).
Southern Maine pushed the lead up to six (33-37) with 16:46 to play after
senior Ali Hathaway (Hampden, Maine) scored four straight points. Eastern
responded over the next six minutes with a 13-7 run that left the game tied at
40-40 with 9:40 to go.
EC senior forward Emily Nester (Coventry, R.I.) broke the tie with an
offensive rebound and basket after both teams had gone scoreless for over three
minutes. Southern Maine's cold shooting left the Huskies playing catch up the
rest of the way. The Warriors preserved the victory by converting eight of 12
free throws in the final minute after USM had moved within four (51-47) on a
free throw by senior Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine).
Palmer led the Warriors with 17 points and shared team-high rebounding
honors with Nester as both grabbed nine caroms. DuPont hit six of eight shots
from the floor on the way to 15 points. The Warriors five starters combined for
55 of the team's 59 points.
Ripton broke out of her recent shooting slump making six of 11 shots to
lead the Huskies with 16 points. Plant finished with 10 points, but made just
three of 20 shots from the floor. The Huskies finished the game shooting a
season-low 27 percent (20 for 74) from the field.
The Huskies will look to rebound Tuesday night when they travel to Boston,
Mass., to play the University of Massachusetts Boston.
*******************************************************************************
Wednesday, February 2, 2000
Plant Leads Huskies Past Monks
STANDISH, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) scored 24
points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a 61-54 victory over the St. Joseph's College Monks Wednesday night
in a non-conference women's college basketball game matching two of New
England's top ten teams.
The win improved the Huskies overall record to 16-3. St. Joseph's slips
to 16-3 overall. Southern Maine was ranked third in this week's New England
Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) poll while St. Joseph's cracked the top
ten for the first time this season in tenth place. The Huskies have won the
last five meetings between the two teams.
Plant made seven of 20 shots for the floor, including a pair of three-
point tries, and converted eight of ten free throws to tie her single-game
career high for points. She also dished out three assists, made four steals and
blocked two shots in the game.
The game included five lead changes and five ties before the Huskies took
the lead (33-32) for good with 14:44 to play when sophomore Jaime Zahm
(Montpelier, Vt.) scored. Plant scored 11 of her 24 points over the final 14
minutes of play as the Huskies protected the lead.
Zahm was the only other USM player to reach double figures scoring 13
points. She also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds,
St. Joseph's sophomore guard Stacey Gelinas (Biddeford, Maine) led all
scorers with 25 points. The Monks were held to just 29 percent shooting (17 for
59) from the floor.
Southern Maine returns to action this Saturday traveling to Willimantic,
Conn., to play Little East rival Eastern Connecticut State University.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, January 29, 2000
USM Huskies Pull Away From UMD Corsairs
GORHAM, Maine -- Freshman forward Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) scored
a season-high 14 points to lead three players in double figures as the
University of Southern Maine Huskies pulled away from the visiting University of
Massachusetts Corsairs to post a 75-44 victory in a Little East Conference game
at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium Saturday afternoon.
The Huskies' victory avenged an earlier 53-51 defeat at the hands of the
Corsairs. USM is now 15-3 overall and 6-3 in the Little East. UMass Dartmouth
had its three-game win streak stopped as it falls to 7-11 overall and 3-6 in the
conference.
After spotting the Corsairs a 2-0 lead on a pair of free throws by junior
Melissa Gears (Rochester, N.Y.), the Huskies slowly took command of the game.
An 18-4 run gave the Huskies an 18-6 lead by the midway point of the half. USM
held the Corsairs to just three baskets and 15 percent shooting (3 for 20) over
the first 20 minutes to build a 15-point margin (33-18) at the break.
Crockett went to work inside in the second half to score 10 of her game-
high 14 points as the Huskies continued to methodically pull away. The 6-foot
freshman, who connected on seven of nine shots from the field, also pulled down
eight rebounds to lead the Huskies in that category.
USM junior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) scored 12, and senior guard
Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) contributed 11 points. The Huskies were able to
play all 15 players that dressed for the game, and 12 contributed points. USM
shot 49 percent from the floor (29 for 59) for the game.
Senior Natarsha Silva (Brockton, Mass.) was the lone UMD player to reach
double figures with 12 points. UMD shot better in the second half, but still
finished the game shooting 25 percent (14 for 56) for the game from the floor.
*******************************************************************************
Thursday, January 27, 2000
Panthers Upset Huskies
PLYMOUTH, N.H. -- Freshman forward Courtney Albert (Hudson, N.H.) led
four players in doubles figures as the Plymouth State College Panthers upset the
University of Southern Maine Huskies, 80-67, in a Little East Conference game
Thursday night. The game was postponed from Tuesday night due to a snow storm.
Plymouth State, 11-5 overall and 3-4 in the conference, beat USM for the
first time since February 1994 when the Panthers knocked off the Huskies in the
Little East Conference tournament semifinals at Danbury, Conn. USM, which had
won the last 12 games played between the two teams, slips to 14-3 overall and
5-3 in the Little East.
The game featured the conference's top offensive team against the top
defensive team. PSC came into the game averaging 75.5 points while USM was
allowing an average of 45.6 points a game, and had not given up more than 56
points in one game.
The 80 points scored by the Panthers were the most the Huskies have
allowed by a PSC team in the 47-game history of the series that began in 1972.
Albert and junior Krystyna Zagorski (Matawan, N.J.) helped the Panthers
build a 13-point lead in the first half before the Huskies rallied with an 13-2
run over the final four minutes to close within two (41-39) at halftime. Albert
and Zagorski combined for 22 points in the first half.
After a three-point basket by PSC sophomore Megan Fournier (East
Waterboro, Maine) to open the second half, the Huskies went on a 12-2 run led by
senior Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) and junior Jessica Hopkins (Hampden, Maine)
to take a 51-46 lead with 16:07 to play.
Albert ignited a 20-2 run over the next seven minutes with a basket and a
pair of free throws as the Panthers regained the lead and opened up a 13-point
margin (66-53). The Panthers hit three three-point shots during the decisive
stretch while Southern Maine was only able to respond with a lone basket by
sophomore Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine).
Plant led another Husky comeback bid with six points during a 10-0 run
that chopped the deficit to three points (66-63) with 3:53 to play. Another
three-point basket by Fournier broke the Huskies' momentum and USM never got
closer than four points the rest of the way. Plymouth State made eight of eight
free throws in the final 67 seconds to push the final margin back up to 13
points.
Albert led the Panthers with 20 points and a team-high 12 rebounds.
Zagorski finished with 16 points, junior Kate Fillion (Littleton, N.H.) came off
the bench to add 14 points, and Fournier ended up with 13 points, including
three baskets from beyond the arc.
Plant, who had four three-point baskets, led the Huskies with 23 points.
Dominiczak came off the bench to toss in 13 points, and sophomore Jaime Zahm
(Montpelier, Vt.) had 10 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and five blocked
shots.
Southern Maine will look to rebound Saturday afternoon when the Huskies
host the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
*******************************************************************************
Saturday, January 22, 2000
USM Huskies Put the Clamps on KSC Owls
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Huskies women's
basketball team used a suffocating defense to hold the visiting Keene State
College Owls to a season low 22 points to post a convincing 61-22 victory in a
Little East Conference game Saturday afternoon at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win was the third straight for the Huskies who improved to 14-2
overall and 5-2 in the conference. Keene State slipped to 10-6 overall and 4-3
in conference play.
Southern Maine's defense was the story of the game holding the Owls to
just 14 percent shooting (6 for 43) from the floor and forcing 27 turnovers.
The Owls enjoyed their only lead in the game when junior Margot Fleming
(Delhi, N.Y.) hit a pair of free throws to make it 2-0 in the first minute.
Neither team shot well in the early going as Southern Maine, behind sophomore
Niki Dominicizak's (Dixfield, Maine) six points, inched its way out to an 11-6
lead midway through the half.
Keene State went over eight minutes without scoring allowing the Huskies
to push the lead to 19 (25-6) with a 14-0 run. The Owls finally broke the
drought when sophomore Erika Forsberg (Laconia, N.H.) made a pair of free throws
with 1:42 left in the half.
It got no better for the visitors in the second half as the Owls went
scoreless the first six and half minutes. By the time senior Kerrie Raymond
(Goffstown, N.H.) drained a three-point shot with 13:22 to play, the Huskies had
enlarged their lead to 29 (35-6).
Southern Maine had a balanced attack as Dominiczak, senior guard Julie
Plant (Gorham, Maine) and sophomore forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) all had
10 points. Twelve different players scored for Southern Maine.
Forsberg and sophomore Nicole Fargione (Colonie, N.Y.) paced the Owls with
six points.
*******************************************************************************
Thursday, January 20, 2000
Huskies Knock Off Bobcats in Battle of Region's Top Teams
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) equaled
her career high scoring 16 points to pace four players in double figures as the
University of Southern Maine Huskies defeated the Bates College Bobcats, 65-52,
in a battle of New England's top two ranked Division three teams before a crowd
of 663 Thursday night at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
Southern Maine, ranked number two in this week's New England Women's
Basketball Association (NEWBA) poll, improves to 13-2 on the season. Bates,
ranked number one, had its seven-game winning streak snapped while losing for
just the second time this season. The Bobcats are now 11-2.
Kimball hit six of eight shots in the first half as the Huskies built a
38-26 lead by the break. The 5-9 small forward sparked a 10-0 run late in the
first half with six points as the Huskies expanded their lead form seven (20-13)
to 17 (30-13) with 5:47 left in the half. She had all 12of her first points
over the final eight minutes.
Sophomore Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine) converted four of seven shots
for eight points as Southern Maine shot 49 percent (17 for 35) during the first
20 minutes while holding Bates to just 31 percent (11 for 35) shooting.
Bates, which came into the game shooting 43 percent as a team, closed to
within nine (50-41) on a basket by junior Kate McLaughlin (Laconia, NH) with
12:06 to play. Southern Maine used an 8-2 run over the next three minutes to
push the margin back up to 15 (58-43) when sophomore Jaime Zahm (Montpelier,
Vt.) scored with 8:28 left.
A three-point basket by Bates' sophomore Sarah Williamson (Plainfield,
N.J.) and a steal and basket by freshman Carla Flaherty (Gorham, Maine) with
6:41 left quickly chopped five points off the Huskies' lead (58-48). Bates
shooting went ice cold as the Bobcats could only muster a basket by McLaughlin
and senior Emily King's (Lebanon, N.H.) two free throws over the final 6:41.
Southern Maine held Bates to just 26 percent shooting (21 for 81) for the
game including 22 percent (10 for 46) in the second half. The Huskies finished
the game shooting 45 percent (28 for 62) from the floor.
Senior Trisha Ripton (Newport, Maine) added 13 points, grabbed 10
rebounds, dished off seven assists and had four steals for the Huskies.
Dominiczak and senior Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) each finished with 10 points.
McLaughlin took team-high scoring honors with 15 points for the Bobcats.
King added 12 points and pulled down a game-high 11 rebounds before fouling out
with 50 seconds to play. Senior Jolene Thurston (Post Mills, Vt.) had seven
assists (no turnovers) and five steals.
*******************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 18, 2000
Huskies Run Away from Beacons
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) paced three
players in double figures as the University of Southern Maine Huskies ran away
from the University of Massachusetts Boston Beacons in the second half to post
an 85-32 victory in Little East Conference action Tuesday night at the Warren G.
Hill Gymnasium.
The win improves the Huskies overall mark to 12-2. They are now 4-2 in
the conference. UMass Boston dropped its fourth straight contest to fall to
2-11 overall and 0-6 in the conference.
Plant had 12 of her game-high 14 points in the first half as the Huskies
built a 24-point halftime lead (45-21). Sophomore center Jaime Zahm
(Montpelier, Vt.) added all 10 of her points before the break.
The Beacons, who shot just 28 percent from the floor in first half, shot a
woeful 10 percent (3 for 30) in the second half as the Huskies lead continued to
grow. UMass Boston finished the game shooting just 19 percent against the
Huskies who are ranked first in the conference in field goal percentage defense.
All 15 players who dressed for Southern Maine contributed at least one
point in the game. Junior Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) also had 10 points
for the Huskies.
Junior Seiko Kudo (Aomori, Japan) led the Beacons with seven points.
Southern Maine returns to action Thursday evening for a showdown between
the region's top two ranked teams when the Bates College Bobcats come to the
Hill Gymnasium. Game time is 7:00 p.m.
******************************************************************************
Saturday, January 15, 2000
Colonials Defeat Huskies, Stay Unbeaten in the Little East
DANBURY, Conn. -- Sophomore guard Stacey Kurtyka (Derby, Conn.) scored a
game-high 26 points, including her team's last seven points, as the conference-
leading Western Connecticut State University Colonials knocked off the visiting
University of Southern Maine Huskies, 56-51, in a Little East Conference game
Saturday afternoon at the Feldman Arena.
The win was the sixth straight for the first place Colonials. Western
Conn. is now 11-2 overall and 5-0 in the conference. Southern Maine, which had
its four-game win streak snapped, slips to 11-2 overall and 3-2 in the
conference.
Kurtyka hit six of ten shots from the floor, including four of seven tries
from behind the three-point arc, and 10 of 12 free throws for her 26 points.
She made seven of eight charity tosses over the final minute to keep the Huskies
at bay.
Southern Maine led only once (2-0) in the game, and trailed by as many as
13, including 34-21 at halftime, on two occasions. USM was hurt by 23 percent
shooting (7 for 30) in the first half.
Trailing by 11 with 2:24 to play, the Huskies mounted a comeback behind
senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine). Over the final 2:24, Plant scored 10
of her team-high 19 points to pull the Huskies within three (54-51) with 9.3
second left, but Kurtyka iced the game with her final two free throws.
Plant was the lone USM player in double figures while Kurtyka was the only
Colonial to reach double digits.
Southern Maine shot better in the second half (10 for 28, 36 percent), but
managed to shoot only 29 percent (17 for 58) for the game. The Huskies also
committed 24 turnovers.
Western Connecticut, which was red hot in the first half shooting 54
percent (14 of 26), made only four of 14 shots in the second half. The
Colonials scored 13 of their 22 second half points from the foul line. The
Colonials also committed 28 turnovers.
******************************************************************************
Tuesday, January 10, 2000
Huskies Too Much for Anchorwomen
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior forward Jessica Hopkins (Hampden, Maine) had a
career-high 16 points and senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) added 14 as
the University of Southern Maine Huskies defeated the visiting Rhode Island
College Anchorwomen, 69-38, in a Little East Conference game Tuesday night at
the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win was the fourth straight for the Huskies who improved their overall
mark to 11-1. They are 3-1 in conference play heading into Saturday's road game
against league leader Western Connecticut State University. Rhode Island
College, which has dropped its last three games, slips to 3-9 overall and 1-2 in
the conference.
The Huskies built a 36-18 lead by halftime by shooting 47 percent from the
floor and forcing the Anchorwomen into 15 turnovers and 32 percent shooting.
Plant and Hopkins combined for 20 of the Huskies' 36 points. The two scored 14
of the Huskies first 20 points as the hosts quickly opened a double-digit lead
(20-9 with 8:17 left in the half).
Southern Maine held the Anchorwomen without a point over the first five
minutes of the second half as the lead grew to 25 (43-18), and any hopes the
visitors had of getting back into the game evaporated. The Huskies shot even
better in the second half hitting 13 of 24 shots (54 percent) to finish the game
shooting 50 percent.
Hopkins also grabbed a game-high nine rebounds for the Huskies. Five
other Huskies contributed at least five points.
Anchorwomen senior forward Jen Cook (West Warwick, R.I.) led all scorers
with 19 points. The visitors chances for an upset were hampered by 26 percent
shooting (13 for 51) for the game and 26 turnovers.
******************************************************************************
Monday, January 10, 2000
Ripton Named LEC Player of the Week Again
Also Named MWBCA and NEWBA Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine -- For the second straight week, University of Southern
Maine women's basketball senior forward-guard Trisha Ripton (Newport,
Maine/Stearns HS [Millinocket, Maine]) has been named the Little East Conference
Player of the Week. The announcement was made Monday (January 10) afternoon.
In her only game last week, the 5-foot-9 Ripton scored 22 points, grabbed
one rebound, dished out two assists and made three steals in the Huskies' 70-56
win over conference rival Eastern Connecticut State University. Ripton
connected on eight of 13 shots from the floor, including four of seven shots
from beyond the three-point arc, and both of her free throws.
Also, it was announced Monday that Ripton had been selected as the Player
of the Week by both the Maine Women's Basketball Coaches Association and the New
England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) organizations for her play during
the two-week period of December 27-January 9.
Since returning to the hardwoods after a three-and-a-half year layoff,
Ripton is averaging 19.3 points and 2.7 rebounds after her first three games.
She is shooting 48.6 percent (17 for 35) from the floor, including 42 percent (8
for 19) from three-point range, and 84 percent (16 for 19) from the foul line.
Southern Maine, 10-1 overall and 2-1 in the Little East, returns to action
Tuesday night when it hosts Rhode Island College for a women's and men's
doubleheader at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium on the Gorham campus. The women's
game taps off at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men's tilt at approximately 7:30 p.m.
******************************************************************************
Saturday, January 8, 2000
Ripton Leads Huskies Past Warriors
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior forward Trish Ripton (Lyman, Maine) netted 17
first half points and finished with a game-high 22 points as the University of
Southern Maine Huskies (10-1) defeated the visiting Eastern Connecticut State
University Warriors (7-2), 70-56, in a Little East Conference women's basketball
game Saturday afternoon at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win was the third straight for the Huskies and extends their record to
2-1 in conference play and 10-1 overall. The Warriors fall to 2-1 in conference
and 7-2 overall.
The Huskies used a 63-percent field goal shooting and a 60 percent 3-point
field goal percentage in the first half to lead 38-32 at the break. Ripton went
8 for 13 from the field and 4 for 7 from deep range in the half.
Southern Maine started the second half with a 8-0 run to take a 46-32
lead. Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) led the way in the second half by
scoring all 14 of her points in the final 20 minutes after being saddled on the
bench with two fouls early in the first half.
Defense was the name of the game as Southern Maine had 15 steals and
forced Eastern Connecticut into 22 turnovers.
Plant and Ripton were the only Huskies in double digits. The Warriors
were led by senior guard Erin Egan (Wallingford, Conn.) and sophomore forward
Joanna Debicki (Shelton, Conn.) who scored 13 and 11 points, respectively.
Southern Maine returns to action Tuesday, January 11, when they host Rhode
Island College in a Little East Conference game.
******************************************************************************
Thursday, December 30, 1999
USM Huskies Capture Tournament Crown
Ripton Named Most Valuable Player
SALEM, Mass. -- Senior Trish Ripton (Lyman, Maine/Stearns HS) scored a
game-high 25 points and was named the tournament Most Valuable Player after
leading the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 65-53 victory over the
Savannah College of Art and Design Bees in the championship game of the 14th
Annual Salem State College Women's Basketball Tournament at the O'Keefe Sports
Center Thursday evening.
The win lifts the Huskies overall record to 9-1 on the season. The Bees
slip to 5-6. USM returns to action January 8 when it host Eastern Connecticut
State University in a critical Little East Conference game at the Warren G. Hill
Gymnasium.
Ripton and senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) combined for 23 first
half points as the Huskies built a 31-25 halftime lead. Ripton's three-point
shot gave the Huskies their first lead (11-8) of the game at the 11:28 mark.
After three lead changes, Plant's lay-up basket gave the Huskies the lead for
good and ignited a 15-8 Husky run over the final 8:16. Plant had seven of her
nine first half points in the run, and Ripton had 14 points at the break.
The Huskies pushed the lead into double figures (39-29) when Ripton hit a
three-point shot with 16:47 left in regulation. The Bees got no closer than
eight points on two occasions, the last at 52-44 when freshman Becki Tower
(Wrentham, Mass.) stole the ball and converted a layup with 7:58 left.
Sophomore Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, Maine/Dirigo HS), Ripton and Plant
then combined to outscore the Bees 9-1 over the next four minutes to push the
lead to a game-high 16 points (61-45) and effectively seal the decision in favor
of the Huskies.
Plant finished with 13 points, a career-high 10 rebounds and five assists,
and Dominiczak had a career-high 12 points. The Huskies aided their effort by
shooting a season-high 85 percent (22 for 26) from the foul line.
Senior Simone Adams (College Park, Ga.) paced three Bees in double figures
with 17 points. Freshman Jocelyn Rollins (Bridgetown, Barbados) had 15 points
and sophomore Tamia Wheeler (Gainesville, Ga.) finished with 10 points.
In the consolation game, Jen Hutchinson (Trenton, N.J.) scored a game-high
26 points to lead the College of New Jersey (7-3) to a 54-46 victory over Salem
State College (3-6).
Along with Ripton, named to the all-tournament team were USM's Plant,
Adams and Rollins from Savannah, Hutchinson from College of New Jersey and
Adrienne Johnson of Salem State.
******************************************************************************
Wednesday, December 29, 1999
USM Advances to Finals of Salem State Tournament
SALEM, Mass. -- Senior forward-guard Trish Ripton (Lyman, Maine/Stearns
HS) came off the bench to score 11 second half points as the University of
Southern Maine Huskies overcame some cold shooting and a five-point halftime
deficit to defeat the College of New Jersey Lions, 54-51, Wednesday afternoon in
the first round of the 14th Annual Salem State College Christmas Tournament at
the Richard O'Keefe Sports Center.
The victory moves the Huskies into Thursday's 5:00 p.m. championship game
against the winner of the Salem State College-Savannah College of Art and Design
game. Southern Maine improves to 8-1 on the season. The College of New Jersey,
the defending champions in the New Jersey Athletic Conference, slips to 6-3
overall and will play the loser of the Salem State-Savannah game in Thursday's
1:00 p.m. consolation game.
Southern Maine, which shot just 27 percent (7 for 26) from the field in
first half, opened the second half with a 9-0 run to erase a 20-15 deficit and
take a 24-20 lead. Sophomore forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) scored five
points and junior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine/Kennebunk HS) tossed in
four during the surge.
After the Lions regained the lead (25-24) on a basket by senior Jen
Egnoski (Toms River, N.J.), senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) and Ripton
took control scoring nine of the Huskies' next 11 points by hitting three three-
point shots during an 11-2 run. Plant's second three-point shot with 14:41 to
play put the Huskies in the lead (30-27) for good, and Ripton's trifecta at
13:30 gave USM its largest lead of the game (35-27).
Ripton played a major role down the stretch for USM scoring six of Huskies
final eight points. Zahm's offensive rebound and basket with 34 seconds left
iced the game for the Huskies who had to survive a desperation three-point shot
attempt by the junior Leigh Beierschmitt (Collingswood, N.J.) at the buzzer.
Plant paced three Huskies in double figures with 13 points. Ripton,
playing her first game since transferring to USM from the University of Maine,
and Kimball each had 11. Zahm finished with nine points and a game-high nine
rebounds.
Southern Maine rebounded from its cold-shooting first half to shoot 48
percent (12 for 25) in the second half.
Sophomore Lauren Durkin (Somerdale, N.J.) came off the bench to score a
game-high 15 points for the Lions. Senior Jen Hutchinson (Trenton, N.J.) and
junior Laura Buckley (Marlboro, N.J.) each had nine points.
******************************************************************************
Saturday, December 11, 1999
UMD Corsairs Stun USM Huskies, 53-51
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Corsairs used a 15-1 run late in the second half to erase a seven-point deficit,
then hung on against a furious University of Southern Maine Husky rally in the
final seconds for a 53-51 upset victory in a Little East Conference women's
basketball game Saturday afternoon at the Tripp Athletic Center.
The win was the Corsairs' first ever in 30 games against the Huskies, and
evened their record at 4-4 overall, 1-1 in the conference. Southern Maine,
which won its first seven games of the season, slips to 7-1 overall and 1-1 in
the conference.
Trailing 42-35 after USM junior Jess Hopkins (Hampden, Maine) hit a short
jumper with 4:47 to play, the Corsairs went on their decisive run sparked by
sophomore guard Jess Cummings (Middleboro, Mass.). Cummings ignited the Corsair
rally hitting a three-point shot, and contributed two other baskets. Senior
guard Natarsha Silva (Brockton, Mass.) hit four straight free throws to give the
Corsairs a 50-43 lead with 34 seconds to play.
The Huskies, still down seven (53-46) with 15.7 seconds to play, nearly
forced the game into overtime. Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) scored
on a drive with 10.1 seconds left to cut the lead to five, and after a five-
second inbound violation against UMD, freshman forward Melissa Sawyer (Oakland,
Maine) hit a three-point shot with 7.5 seconds left to pull USM within two
(53-51).
Southern Maine forced another Corsair turnover on the inbounds pass to
gain possession under its own basket. On their inbounds play, the Huskies missed
a short shot that would have tied the contest. The Corsairs were able to
control the rebound and run out the clock for their first win in the series that
started in January 1987.
UMass Dartmouth made 11 of 13 free throws in the final 3:20, including
seven of eight in the final 51 seconds, to account for 11 of its final 15
points. The Corsairs shot only 28 percent from the floor (13 for 46) and had 19
turnovers, but made 24 of 29 free throws.
Ice-cold shooting hurt the Huskies' bid to stay unbeaten. The Huskies
made just 20 of 68 shots (29 percent).
Plant led the Huskies with 15 points. Sophomore Jaime Zahm (Montpelier,
Vt.) had eight points, a game-high 15 rebounds and three blocked shots.
Cummings paced the Corsairs with a game-high 19 points. Silva added 14
points including hitting 10 of 12 free throws.
The Huskies are off until Dec. 29-30 when they will take part in the Salem
State College Christmas Tournament.
******************************************************************************
Wednesday, December 8, 1999
Huskies Too Balanced for White Mules
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) tossed
in a career-high 16 points to pace four players in double figures as the
unbeaten University of Southern Maine Huskies defeated the Colby College White
Mules, 65-54, in women's college basketball action Wednesday night at the Warren
G. Hill Gymnasium.
The win was the seventh straight for the Huskies who are now 7-0 heading
into Saturday's Little East Conference match at the University of Massachusetts
Dartmouth. Colby, which had its three-game win streak stopped by the Huskies,
slips to 4-3. The White Mules host Salem State College in their next game on
Saturday.
The Huskies built a 35-21 lead at the half shooting 50 percent (16 for 32)
from the floor. Sophomore Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) had nine points, Kimball
added eight and freshman Jess Libby (Orono, Maine) came off the bench to chip in
another eight points. The Huskies outscored the White Mules 14-5 over the final
six minutes to expand their five point lead to 14 by intermission.
Colby, behind the standout play of junior Kim Condon (Presque Isle,
Maine), pecked away at the Huskies' lead throughout the second half to stay
within striking distance. A quick 6-0 run sparked by four points from Condon
got the White Mules within eight (52-44), but Zahm broke the run with a basket
to get the Huskies' lead back into double figures to stay.
Condon was the lone Colby player to reach double figures scoring a game-
high 20 points, and she shared game-high rebounding honors with Zahm as each
grabbed 13 boards.
Zahm finished with 12 points before fouling out in the final minute.
Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) added 12 points and six assists, and
Libby finished with 11 points and eight rebounds.
******************************************************************************
Saturday, December 4, 1999
Huskies Open Little East Play with Win at Keene State
KEENE, N.H. -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) scored a game-
high 21 points to lead the undefeated University of Southern Maine Huskies to a
78-55 victory over the Keene State College Owls at Spaulding Gymnasium Saturday
afternoon in the Little East Conference opening game for both teams.
The Huskies improved their overall record to 6-0 while Keene State slipped
to 3-2.
Southern Maine never trailed in the game racing out to a 17-3 lead in the
first six minutes of play. All five USM starters contributed points in the
early blitz. Keene managed to cut the deficit into single digits, but never got
closer than seven (39-32).
Plant, who hit 8-of-14 field goal attempts in the game, exploded in the
second half scoring 16 of her 21 points in the first 10 ten minutes to help the
Huskies increase their nine-point halftime margin to 22 (63-41) with 10:35 to
play. The Huskies' lead grew to as many as 29 (78-49) with less than two
minutes to play.
Junior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine) and sophomore forward Jaime
Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) gave Plant ample support with 14 points apiece. Zahm
also pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds.
Senior guard Carrie Trudeau (Saco, Maine) led the Owls with 19 points and
senior forward Megan Jalbert (Jaffrey, N.H.) added 17 and a team-high five
rebounds.
Southern Maine shot a season-best 48 percent (30 for 62) from the floor
and outrebounded Keene State 43-31.
The Huskies return to action Wednesday night (December 8) when they host
in-state rival Colby College.
******************************************************************************
Thursday, December 2, 1999
Huskies Stay Unbeaten, Defeat Nor'easters 56-41
BIDDEFORD, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) scored a
game-high 17 points, including three three-point baskets, to lead the University
of Southern Maine Huskies to a 56-41 victory over the University of New England
Nor'easters in women's college basketball action Thursday night at the UNE
Campus Center.
The victory was the fifth straight for the unbeaten Huskies who open
defense of their Little East Conference crown this Saturday against Keene (N.H.)
State College in the Granite State. UNE drops to a tough-luck 1-4.
The Huskies, who never trailed in the contest, built an early 14-point
lead (18-4) as Julie Plant hit a pair of three-point shots, and junior Amanda
Kimball (Arundel, Maine) and freshman Kara Crockett (Glenburn, Maine) each
contributed four points.
UNE cut the deficit to six (22-16) with six minutes to go in the half
behind to play of sophomore Amanda Rodgerson (Hampden, Maine) and senior Anna
Staehli (Solon, Maine). The Nor'easters could not keep the momentum going and
went into the break down by 11.
After trading baskets to open the second half, the Nor'easters went on a
7-0 run, keyed by four points from junior Michele Plant (Gorham, Maine), to trim
the margin to six (38-32) with twelve minutes left in regulation.
Southern Maine responded with a 11-1 run of its own, capped by Julie
Plant's third three-point shot, to run the lead back up to 16 (49-33) with eight
minutes left. UNE never got closer than 12 the rest of the way.
Sophomore forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) had 10 points, a game-high
11 rebounds and three blocked shots for the Huskies.
Rodgerson led the Nor'easters with 15 points and Michele Plant added 13.
The Nor'easters were hampered by their 22 percent shooting (13 for 58) from the
floor.
******************************************************************************
Tuesday, November 30, 1999
Fennessy, Sawyer Garner Little East Conference Awards
GORHAM, Maine -- Members of the University of Southern Maine men's and
women's basketball teams were honored for their outstanding play during the
first week of the 1999-2000 season by the Little East Conference. Senior
forward Mike Fennessy (Lewiston, Maine) was named the Player of the Week on the
men's side while freshman forward Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, Maine) was named the
Rookie of the Week on the women's side. The weekly awards were announced by the
conference office late Monday afternoon (November 29).
Sawyer, a redshirt freshman, got her collegiate career off to solid start
averaging 13.7 points and 4.0 rebounds coming off the bench in three games. The
5-foot-10 forward was named the Most Valuable Player in the season-opening
Colby-Sawyer College Tournament after leading the Huskies to wins over New
England College and Colby-Sawyer. Sawyer shot 46 percent from the floor
including 37 percent (4 of 11) from three-point range in the three games.
Fennessy, a fifth-year senior, was outstanding in the Huskies first three
games against Ithaca College, Curry College and Thomas College. The 6-foot-4
forward averaged 24.0 points and 9.7 rebounds in the three games while shooting
54 percent from the field, including 55 percent (11 of 20) from three-point
range, and 85 percent from the foul line. He was named to the all-tournament
team at the Plymouth State College Tap-Off Tournament.
Southern Maine returns to action Thursday night for a men's and women's
doubleheader at the University of New England. The women's game taps off at
5:30 p.m. followed by the men's game at 7:30 p.m. The Southern Maine women's
team is 4-0 on the season while the men's team checks in at 2-2.
******************************************************************************
Monday, November 29,1999
Huskies Cruise In Home Opener
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) scored a game-
high 11 points to lead the unbeaten University of Southern Maine Huskies to a
57-34 victory over the visiting Bowdoin College Polar Bears in non-conference
women's basketball game Monday night at the Warren G. Hill Gymnasium.
It was the home opener for the Huskies who remain a perfect 4-0 on the
season while the Polar Bears drop to 1-1.
Each team got on the board within the first minute of play with Bowdoin
notching two free-throws and Southern Maine hitting a field goal. Over the next
four minutes neither team could find the range. The Huskies finally broke the
2-2 deadlock four minutes into the game and never looked back, outscoring
Bowdoin 24-13 in the first half. Bowdoin did not register its first field goal
until there was 8:31 left in the half. They scored their first six points on
free throws.
Neither team shot the ball very well in the first half with Southern Maine
shooting 10-36 and Bowdoin going 3-21. The Polar Bears also had 19 turnovers in
the half.
The second half saw much of the same as Southern Maine built a 25-point
lead (49-24) with seven minutes remaining.
Joining Plant with double digits were junior forward Amanda Kimball
(Arundel, Maine) and sophomore forward Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) each with 10
points. Zahm also grabbed a game-high 12 rebounds.
Bowdoin was led by sophomore guard Jessie Mayol (Westbrook, Maine) who
finished the night with seven points.
Southern Maine returns to action Thursday night as they travel to
Biddeford, Maine to meet the University of New England Nor'easters.
******************************************************************************
Tuesday, November 23,1999
Kimball, Huskies Remain Unbeaten
WORCESTER, Mass. -- Junior forward Amanda Kimball (Arundel, Maine)
scored a career-high 15 points to lead the unbeaten University of Southern Maine
Huskies (3-0) to a 60-48 victory over the Clark University Cougars (0-1) in an
NCAA Division III women's basketball game Tuesday night at the Kneller Athletic
Center.
The win extends the Huskies' record to a perfect 3-0. All three wins by
the Huskies have been on the road. The game was the season-opener for the
Cougars.
After trading baskets to begin the game, Southern Maine went on a 16-6 run
to open up a 10-point lead (20-10) with 9:45 remaining in the half. The Huskies
eventually extended their lead and went in at halftime up 33-20.
The second half saw Southern Maine increase their lead to as many as 19
points (45-26) before the Cougars went on a run of their own, outscoring
Southern Maine 13-3 to claw within nine with 9:48 left to play. That would be
the closest Clark could get as the Huskies took control down the stretch to win
60-48.
Joining Kimball in double digits were senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham,
Maine) who finished with 13 and freshman forward Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, Maine)
who netted 11.
Clark was led by senior forward Marissa Garrity (Clinton, Mass.) with 11
points. Freshman forward Courtney Simonds (Bridgewater, Mass.) and senior guard
Nicole Dias (Plymouth, Mass.) who each dropped in 10 points.
Southern Maine's next game will be their home opener on November 29 versus
Bowdoin College. Tip-off is 5:30pm.
******************************************************************************
Saturday, November 20,1999
Sawyer Earns MVP Honors as Huskies Win Tourney
Plant Scores Her 1,000th Career Point
NEW LONDON, N.H. -- Freshman forward Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, Maine)
scored a team-high 13 points and was named the tournament Most Valuable Player
after leading the University of Southern Maine Huskies (2-0) to a 70-49 win over
the Colby-Sawyer Chargers (1-1) Saturday afternoon to win the Colby-Sawyer Tip-
Off Tournament.
Southern Maine jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead 2:38 into the contest and
never trailed. Colby-Sawyer was able to fight back to get within one (12-11) at
the 9:07 mark. That would end up being the closest that the Chargers could get.
The Huskies then took control of the game and enjoyed a comfortable nine-point
cushion (31-22) at halftime.
USM senior guard Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine) reached another milestone
midway through the first half when she became the 11th player in the 37-year
history of the program to score 1,000 career points. The 5-foot-7 guard hit a
baseline jumper with 9:32 left in the half to surpass the milestone. Plant
finished with 12 points.
The Huskies opened up a 12-point lead (45-33) eight minutes into the
second half only to see the Chargers cut it to single digits (45-36) on the next
trip down the floor. That would be the last time Colby-Sawyer would be within
striking distance as Southern Maine went on a 9-0 run in the span of four
minutes capped off by a Sawyer three-point basket. The Huskies kept the pressure
on and won the game by a margin of 21 points.
Joining Sawyer and Plant in double digits for the Huskies was freshman
forward Kara Crockett (Bangor, Maine) who netted 10 points.
Colby-Sawyer saw two of their players reach double figures. Junior guard
Sara Hammond (Belmont, N.H.) scored a game-high 14 points, while sophomore
center Ashley Bramwell (Marshfield, Mass.) dropped in 10 points.
In the earlier game, the University of Maine at Farmington beat New
England College 73-43 to capture third place.
Named to the All-Tournament team were MVP Sawyer and Plant from Southern
Maine, sophomore guards Amy Callahan (Spaulding, N.H.) and Hillary Cross
(Duxbury, Mass.) from Colby-Sawyer, Renee Hellert from New England College and
Cara Moir from Maine-Farmington.
Southern Maine returns to action Tuesday, November 23rd., when they travel
to meet Clark University.
******************************************************************************
Friday, November 19,1999
Huskies Cruise in Season Opener
NEW LONDON, N.H. -- Freshman forward Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, Maine)
scored a game-high 17 points to pace three players in double digits as the
University of Southern Maine Huskies (1-0) routed the New England College
Pilgrims, 83-35, in the opening round of the Colby-Sawyer Classic. The game was
the season opener for both teams.
The Huskies took control of the game early jumping out to a 12-2 lead five
minutes into the contest. Southern Maine continued with the pressure and went in
at halftime with a 42-14 lead. The second half was just as dominating for the
Huskies, outscoring the Pilgrims by 20 points.
Joining Sawyer in double digits were sophomore forward Jaime Zahm
(Montpelier, Vt.) and junior guard Erin Shaw (Hancock, Maine) who scored 13 and
11 points, respectively. The Pilgrims were lead by Alma Medina who netted 10
points.
In Friday's night's second game, Colby-Sawyer College defeated the University of Maine at Farmington, 64-53.
Southern Maine (1-0) will play host Colby-Sawyer Saturday at 3:00 p.m.,
while New England College (0-1) will play Maine-Farmington at 1:00 p.m.
******************************************************************************
Monday, November 15, 1999
Plant, Hathaway Named USM Women's Basketball Captains
Huskies Open 1999-2000 Season This Weekend
GORHAM, Maine -- Senior guards Julie Plant (Gorham, Maine/Gorham HS) and
Ali Hathaway (Hampden, Maine/Hampden Academy) have been named captains of the
University of Southern Maine Huskies women's basketball team for the upcoming
1999-2000 season. Veteran head coach Gary Fifield made the announcement.
The Huskies open the new season this Friday (November 19) when they take
on New England College in the first round of the Colby-Sawyer College Tip-Off
Tournament at 6:00 p.m. Southern Maine will play Colby-Sawyer in the second
round on Saturday at 3:00 p.m.
Plant was the team's second leading scorer last winter averaging 11.8
points per game. The 5-foot-7 guard averaged 2.7 rebounds, passed out a team-
leading 96 assists and had 70 steals. Plant earned All-Little East Conference
first team honors, and was named to the MWBCA All-State and ECAC Division III
New England second teams.
Hathaway emerged last season as solid point guard to average 2.7 points
and 2.4 assists per game. She also had 49 steals. The 5-foot-3 Hathaway had
her career high of 18 points in the Huskies' win over Rhode Island College in
last season's Little East tournament semifinals.
Both players were named to the Little East tournament all-tournament team
after helping the Huskies win their third straight conference championship, and
the team's tenth title in the 13-year history of the conference. Southern Maine
was 25-4 overall and advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament.
"They're both four-year players who have seen considerable playing time
over the past three seasons. They have both displayed a lot of floor leadership
in the past, and I think they'll be outstanding leaders for us this year," said
Fifield, who heads into the 1999-2000 season with a 300-52 career record.
Assessing this year's team, Fifield expects his club to have a different
look from the powerful inside game of the past five seasons.
"We may be as athletic as any team I've coached here. I'm looking forward
to seeing an exciting style of basketball with an aggressive, full-court defense
and a fast-break, up-tempo style on offense.
"This weekend's games will give us an indication of how deep our bench is,
and I think it's pretty deep. The second day we're facing a team, on the road,
that's been in the NCAA's the last couple of years. It will be a good early-
season test for us," said Fifield.
The remainder of the Huskies' 1999-2000 schedule is as follows: Nov. 23,
at Clark (6:00); Nov. 29, Bowdoin (5:30); Dec. 2, at University of New England
(5:30); Dec. 4, at Keene State (1:00); Dec. 8, Colby (5:30); Dec. 11, at
UMass Dartmouth (1:00); and Dec. 29-30, at Salem State Holiday Tournament.
Also Jan. 8, Eastern Connecticut (1:00); Jan. 11, Rhode Island College
(5:30); Jan. 15, at Western Connecticut (1:00); Jan. 18, UMass Boston (5:30);
Jan. 20, Bates (7:00); Jan. 22, Keene State (1:00); Jan. 25 at Plymouth State
(5:30); and Jan. 29, UMass Dartmouth (1:00).
The final month schedule includes: Feb. 2, at St. Joseph's (5:30); Feb.
5, at Eastern Connecticut (1:00); Feb. 8, at UMass Boston (5:30); Feb. 12, at
Rhode Island College (1:00); Feb. 15, Plymouth State (5:30); and Feb. 19,
Western Connecticut (1:00).
The Little East Conference tournament dates are February 22 (first round)
at the sites of the top four seeds, and February 25-26 (semifinals and finals)
at the site of the highest remaining seed. The Little East tournament champion
gains an automatic berth into the NCAA tournament.
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