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SEASON CONCLUDED
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Friday, May 29, 2009
Gary Fifield Returns as USM Women's Basketball Head Coach
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Athletic Department
today announced that Associate Director of Athletics and former women's
basketball head coach Gary Fifield will return to the sidelines next season,
reassuming the reins of the program he guided for 21 years before retiring from
coaching last fall.
Fifield, who guided the USM women's basketball program to a 541-86 record
over 21 seasons, returns after interim head coach Mike McDevitt resigned to
return to his alma mater, St. Joseph's College, as its new women's basketball
head coach. In his one season as the Huskies coach, McDevitt led the team to a
22-7 overall record, the Little East Conference tournament championship and a
berth in the NCAA Division III tournament. McDevitt also spent five seasons as
Fifield's assistant after leaving St. Joseph's in 2003.
USM Director of Athletics, Al Bean, indicated that McDevitt, who was hired
on a one-year interim basis when Fifield retired, had been offered the head
coaching position at USM following a search process to name Fifield's permanent
successor. At the same time, St. Joseph's was seeking a new head coach
following the departure of Deb Reardon after five seasons.
"It's been an usual day. Sometimes events happen that lead to change, and
I think this is one certainly one of them that snuck up on all of us. As you
know, (Fifield) had made the decision to step down from coaching nine months ago
... and move into full-time administration. (McDevitt) accepted our offer to
come in as an (interim head coach for the 2008-09 season). We went through our
search process (to name a permanent successor to Fifield), interviewed three
candidates, including (McDevitt). He was clearly our top candidate," comment
Bean, explaining the events that led up to Fifield's decision to return to
coaching.
"We became aware (about two weeks ago) that St. Joe's was in contact with
(McDevitt). They wanted to interview him and were interested in him returning.
In the meantime, (Fifield) and I had had a conversation about the (USM) program
and moving forward, and about his possible interest in coming back. We had that
in the back of our minds. On Tuesday, when (McDevitt) informed me late in the
day that he'd made a tough decision to return to St. Joe's, I had some
conversations with others on campus, and (Fifield) several times, about him
coming back."
Fifield reflected about the events of the past year and his decision to
return to coaching. "Nine months ago, I won't have thought we'd be back here.
First, I want to wish Mike well at St. Joe's. He was a tremendous asset to me
(as an assistant coach) for five years. He did a great job with the team last
year. I know this was a very difficult decision for him. He has a lot of ties
to St. Joe's (as a former player, women's basketball coach for 16 years and his
daughter, Megan, is a member of the women's team), and he still has a lot of
friends over there.
"I'd like to thank President (Selma) Botman, Vice-President (Craig)
Hutchinson and (Bean) for giving me the opportunity to come back. The year away
gave me a chance to reflect and re-energize and to see what I missed. The
biggest thing I missed was the relationships with the players, helping them
grow, and teaching the game and being at practices."
Southern Maine and St. Joseph's will renew their long-time rivalry next
season after a three-year hiatus on November 29 at St. Joseph's.
In 21 seasons, Fifield led the Huskies to the NCAA Division III Final Four
five times (1988, 1998, 2000, 2005, 2006), including three appearances in the
national championship game. Prior to the 2008-09 season, his .863 winning
percentage was the highest among active Division III coaches with five or more
years on the sidelines, and his 541 career wins ranked seventh among active
coaches.
During that span (1987-2008), he guided the Huskies to 17 Little East
Conference tournament championships, including 11 straight from 1997 through
2007, and won or shared the LEC regular season crown an amazing 19 times. In
the 2007-08 season, Fifield led the Huskies to a 25-4 overall record and a 13-1
regular season mark in the Little East Conference.
Fifield guided the Huskies to an NCAA tournament berth in 20 of his 21
seasons as head coach. His teams won 20 or more games every season, extending
the Huskies' streak of consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins to 28, an NCAA
Division III women's basketball record. Six players combined to win the Little
East Conference Player of the Year award 11 times, and five players were named
to the WBCA/Kodak Division III All-America team.
Among his numerous honors, Fifield was named the WBCA Division III National
Coach of the Year in 2005 after leading the Huskies to 31-3 overall record and a
third-place finish in the NCAA tournament. He also was named Little East
Conference Coach of the Year 13 times. He served as an assistant coach at the
U.S. Olympic Festival in 1993, and was inducted into the New England Basketball
Hall of Fame in 2003.
Fifield came to USM from South Royalton (Vermont) High School in 1987,
succeeding legendary coach, the late Dr. Richard "Doc" Costello, as women's
basketball coach. He also coached the USM men's soccer program for five seasons
(30-35-10).
Gary Fifield's Record at USM Year-by-Year
Overall Little East
Season W L Pct. W L Pct. Place
1987-88 27 3 .900 10 0 1.000 1st
1988-89 25 3 .893 10 0 1.000 1st
1989-90 25 5 .833 9 1 .900 1st
1990-91 23 7 .767 7 3 .700 T2nd
1991-92 26 4 .867 9 1 .900 T1st
1992-93 25 4 .862 10 0 1.000 1st
1993-94 22 7 .759 11 1 .917 T1st
1994-95 23 4 .852 11 1 .917 1st
1995-96 25 4 .862 11 1 .917 1st
1996-97 25 4 .862 11 1 .917 1st
1997-98 29 3 .906 14 0 1.000 1st
1998-99 25 4 .862 13 1 .929 1st
1999-00 26 6 .813 9 5 .643 T2nd
2000-01 20 7 .741 12 2 .833 T1st
2001-02 25 3 .893 13 1 .929 T1st
2002-03 26 4 .867 13 1 .929 1st
2003-04 29 2 .935 14 0 1.000 1st
2004-05 31 3 .911 14 0 1.000 1st
2005-06 32 2 .941 14 0 1.000 1st
2006-07 27 3 .900 13 1 .929 1st
2007-08 25 4 .862 13 1 .929 1st
Totals 541 86 .862 241 21 .919
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Monday, April 6, 2009
Kent Earns All-ECAC Honors
GORHAM, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team has
been named to the ECAC Division III New England All-Star Second Team. The
announcement was made late last week by the ECAC.
The lone senior on the 2008-2009 Huskies squad, which captured the 2009
Little East Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III
Women’s Basketball National Championship tournament for the 15th consecutive
season, Kent led Southern Maine and the LEC in scoring averaging 15.3 points per
game. The 5-9 small forward finished among the conference leaders in several
statistical categories averaging 5.7 rebounds (12th) and 2.1 assists (14th) per
game while shooting a solid 37.4 percent (2nd) (46-for-123) from three-point
range. Kent was second in the conference in free throw shooting percentage
connecting on 83.7 percent (108-for-129) from the charity stripe.
The ECAC honor is one of several regional awards that Kent has received
this season including D3hoops.com All-Region Third Team, New England Women’s
Basketball Association Second Team (NEWBA) and Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches’
Association (MWBCA) First Team honors.
A two-time Little East Conference and Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches
Association (MWBCA) First Team selection (2008, 2009), Kent was the MWBCA Player
of the Year and earned D3hoops.com All-Region honors in 2008. Kent has also
twice earned honors for her academic work being selected to the CoSIDA Academic
All-District One Second team in 2009 after earning third team honors in 2008.
In 107 games in her career, Kent totaled 1,187 points, 511 rebounds, 203
assists and 142 steals. She is 11th all-time in points cored while shooting
42.2 percent from the field in her career. Her 158 career three-point field
goals made is good for fourth all-time in USM history, while her 42.1 percent
three-point field goal shooting percentage is ranked second. Kent is second
all-time in free throw shooting at 80.6 percent (295-for-363). During her four-
year career (2005-2009), Southern Maine posted an overall record of 106-16 and
49-7 in the Little East.
Southern Maine captured its 19th LEC Tournament Championship in the 23
years since the conference began sponsoring the tournament. Advancing the NCAA
Division III National Championship for the 15th straight season and 23rd time
since moving to the NCAA from the NAIA in 1985, the Huskies finished with a 22-7
record.
2009 ECAC Division III New England Women’s Basketball All-Stars
Player of the Year Ashley McFetridge, Sr., C, Eastern Connecticut State
Rookie of the Year Nicole Wurdman, Fr., F, Babson
First Team
Players Cl. Pos. School
Ashley McFetridge Sr. C Eastern Connecticut State
Jessica Chapin Jr. G Brandeis University
Iman Davis Jr. G Emmanuel
Corey Finch Sr. F Springfield
Andrea Wasuk Sr. F Westfield State
Second Team
Players Cl. Pos. School
Jaclyn Daigneault So. F Amherst
Stacey Kent Sr. F Southern Maine
Melissa Martinelli Jr. C Coast Guard
Ali Fourney Jr. G Wesleyan
MaryLynn Skarzenski Sr. G Nichols
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Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Kent Named to D3hoops.com All-Northeast Region Team Third Team
GORHAM, Maine - Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies women's basketball team
has been named to the D3hoops.com All-Northeast Region Third Team. It is the
second time in her career that Kent has been named to the D3hoops.com All-Region
team (2008, 2009) and is one of many postseason awards for the 5-9 forward, who
was recently named to the New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA)
All-Region Second Team and has been selected to participate in the NEWBA Senior
All-Star Classic.
The lone senior on the 2008-2009 Huskies squad, which captured the 2009
Little East Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III
Women?s Basketball National Championship tournament for the 15th consecutive
season, Kent led Southern Maine and the LEC in scoring averaging 15.3 points per
game. Kent finished among the conference leaders in several statistical
categories averaging 5.7 rebounds (12th) and 2.1 assists (14th) per game while
shooting a solid 37.4 percent (2nd) (46-for-123) from three-point range. Kent
was second in the conference in free throw shooting percentage connecting on
83.7 percent (108-for-129) from the charity stripe.
A two-time Little East Conference and Maine Women?s Basketball Coaches
Association (MWBCA) First Team selection (2008, 2009), Kent was the MWBCA Player
of the Year and earned D3hoops.com All-Region honors in 2008. Kent has also
twice earned honors for her academic work being selected to the CoSIDA Academic
All-District One Second team in 2009 after earning third team honors in 2008.
In 107 games in her career, Kent totaled 1,187 points, 511 rebounds, 203
assists and 142 steals. She is 11th all-time in points cored while shooting
42.2 percent from the field in her career. Her 158 career three-point field
goals made is good for fourth all-time in USM history, while her 42.1 percent
three-point field goal shooting percentage is ranked second. Kent is second
all-time in free throw shooting at 80.6 percent (295-for-363). During her four-
year career (2005-2009), Southern Maine posted an overall record of 106-16 and
49-7 in the Little East.
Southern Maine captured its 19th LEC Tournament Championship in the 23
years since the conference began sponsoring the tournament. Advancing the NCAA
Division III National Championship for the 15th straight season and 23rd time
since moving to the NCAA from the NAIA in 1985, the Huskies finished with a 22-7
record.
2009 D3hoops.com All-Northeast Region Team
Player of the Year: Val Beckwith, F, Bates College
Coach of the Year: G.P. Gromacki, Amherst College
Rookie of the Year: Nicole Wurdeman, F, Babson College
First Team
Pos. Player School Yr. Hometown
G Iman Davis Emmanuel Jr. Toms River, N.J.
G Jessica Chapin Brandeis Jr. Mendon, N.Y.
F Val Beckwith Bates Sr. Woburn, Mass.
F Jaci Daigneault Amherst So. Guilford, Conn.
C Melissa Martinelli Coast Guard Jr. Vero Beach, Fla.
Second Team
Pos. Player School Yr. Hometown
G Ali Fourney Wesleyan Sr. E. Northport, N.Y.
G Allegra Lovoy Salve Regina Sr. Charlestown, R.I.
F Corey Finch Springfield Sr. Hanover, Pa.
F Nicole Wurdeman Babson Fr. Rowley, Mass.
C Ashley McFetridge Eastern Connecticut Sr. Canton, Conn.
Third Team
Pos. Player School Yr. Hometown
G Stacey Kent Southern Maine Sr. Northwood, N.H.
G Colleen Hart Tufts So. Needham, Mass.
F Julia Baily Tufts Jr. Farmington, Conn.
F Kathleen King Babson Fr. Framingham, Mass.
C Danielle Jenkins Salem State Jr. Marlborough, Mass.
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Thursday, March 12, 2009
Kent Earns NEWBA All-Region Second Team Honors
Huskies Lone Senior Selected for NEWBA Senior All-Star Classic
GORHAM, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy)
of the Univeristy of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team has been
named to the New England Women’s Basketball Association (NEWBA) All-Region
Second Team and has been selected to participate in the NEWBA Senior All-Star
Classic. The NEWBA Senior All-Star Classic will be hosted by Western New
England College in Springfield, Mass. on Saturday, March 28 at 1:30 p.m.
The lone senior on the 2008-2009 Huskies squad, which captured the 2009
Little East Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division III
Women’s Basketball National Championship tournament for the 15th consecutive
season, Kent led Southern Maine and the LEC in scoring averaging 15.3 points per
game. The 5-9 small forward finished among the conference leaders in several
statistical categories averaging 5.7 rebounds (12th) and 2.1 assists (14th) per
game while shooting a solid 37.4 percent (2nd) (46-for-123) from three-point
range. Kent was second in the conference in free throw shooting percentage
connecting on 83.7 percent (108-for-129) from the charity stripe.
A two-time Little East Conference and Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches
Association (MWBCA) First Team selection (2008, 2009), Kent was the MWBCA Player
of the Year and earned D3hoops.com All-Region honors in 2008. Kent has also
twice earned honors for her academic work being selected to the CoSIDA Academic
All-District One Second team in 2009 after earning third team honors in 2008.
In 107 games in her career, Kent totaled 1,187 points, 511 rebounds, 203
assists and 142 steals. She is 11th all-time in points cored while shooting
42.2 percent from the field in her career. Her 158 career three-point field
goals made is good for fourth all-time in USM history, while her 42.1 percent
three-point field goal shooting percentage is ranked second. Kent is second
all-time in free throw shooting at 80.6 percent (295-for-363). During her four-
year career (2005-2009), Southern Maine posted an overall record of 106-16 and
49-7 in the Little East.
Southern Maine captured its 19th LEC Tournament Championship in the 23
years since the conference began sponsoring the tournament. Advancing the NCAA
Division III National Championship for the 15th straight season and 23rd time
since moving to the NCAA from the NAIA in 1985, the Huskies finished with a 22-7
record.
2008-2009 NEWBA Yearly Awards
Coach of the Year: Adrienne Shibles, Bowdoin College
Player of the Year: Val Beckwith, Bates College
Rookie of the Year: Nicole Wurdeman, Babson College
All-Region, First Team
Val Beckwith Bates College
Ashley McFetridge Eastern Connecticut State University
Andrea Wasuk Westfield State College
Jessica Chapin Brandeis University
Ali Fourney Wesleyan University
All-Region, Second Team
Stacey Kent University of Southern Maine
Corey Finch Springfield College
Nicole Wurdeman Babson College
Melissa Martinelli Coast Guard Academy
Kristin Degou Keene State College
Senior All-Star Classic Selections
Katie Austen Mount Holyoke College
Michelle Boudreau Keene State College
Cassidy Dadaos Brandeis University
Nathasha Deschene WPI
Jessica Duff Wellesley College
Corey Finch Springfield College
Alli Gamache University of New England
Ali Fourney Wesleyan University
Krystin Hickey Wheaton College
Stacey Kent University of Southern Maine
Alexa Kaubris Bowdoin College
Ashley McFetridge Eastern Connecticut State University
Nicky Morey Eastern Connecticut State University
Maria Noucas Bowdoin College
Lauren O’Connor Springfield College
Maude Okrah Emerson College
Lauren Orlando Brandeis University
Emma Pasquale Colby-Sawyer College
Stacey Roberts Western Connecticut State University
Katie Sylvain Westfield State College
Julia Thomas Wellesley College
Lauren Vassallo Emerson College
Andrea Wasuk Westfield State College
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Friday, March 6, 2009
NCAA Tournament - First Round Game
Emmanuel Knocks USM Out of NCAA Tournament, 55-49
AMHERST, Mass. -- Sophomore Kristin LeBel (Tolland, Conn.) and junior
Iman Davis (Toms River, N.J./St. George's School) combined for 37 points as
Emmanuel College overcame a six-point deficit midway through the second half to
defeat the University of Southern Maine, 55-49, Friday in a first round game of
the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament played at LeFrak Gymnasium
on the campus of Amherst College.
LeBel and Iman scored 33 of their 37 points in the second half as the
Saints rallied for their seventh straight win. LeBel, who did not score a point
in the opening half, connected on 6-of-10 shots from the floor, including 2-of-3
three-pointers, and 8-of-9 at the foul line to finish with a game-high 22
points. Iman netted 11 of her 15 points after the break making 5-of-10 from
the floor.
Sophomore Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) led a balanced USM offense with 12
points. Senior Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H.) contributed 10 points. All five
USM starters scored at least six points, and junior Haley Johnson (West
Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) and sophomore Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony)
each had a game-high 10 rebounds.
Southern Maine was hurt by poor shooting, connecting on just 34 percent (17
of 50) of its shots from the floor, and made a season-high 24 turnovers.
Emmanuel shot only 38.5 percent (20 of 52) for the game, but made 11-of-24 shots
in the second half (46 percent).
Despite scoring 19 points in the first half, the Huskies trailed by only
two at halftime. After LeBel hit a three-pointer to open the second half, the
Huskies clawed their way back into the game to build a six-point advantage,
36-30, midway through the half.
USM used an 11-2 run, ignited by two DeMillo baskets, to take its biggest
lead with 10:40 to play after junior Ruthie Briggs (Springvale, Maine/Sanford)
made 1-of-2 free throws to make it 36-30.
Davis and LeBel sparked a 7-0 run over a span of 1:36 to regained the lead
for the Saints. In the ensuing four minutes, the teams traded the lead five
times and there was one tie before LeBel scored six straight points to give the
Saints a 49-45 lead with 3:52 to go.
The Huskies got within three, 52-49, with 1:07 left when Johnson scored on
a layup, but the Huskies would miss two three-point tries, and LeBel converted
3-of-4 freebies in the final minute to clinch the decision.
Southern Maine finishes the season 22-7 overall. Emmanuel, which has won
17 of its last 18 games, is also 22-7, and moves on to play the winner of the
Amherst College-Babson College game on Saturday.
Kent, USM's only senior, finished her standout career scoring 1,187 points,
11th on the all-time list. She also had 511 rebounds, 206 assists and 142
steals, and ranks among the career leaders in 3-point field goals made (158) and
3-point shooting percentage.
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Friday, March 6, 2009
Huskies Place Four on MWBCA All-State Team
GORHAM, Maine – Four members of the 2009 Little East Conference champion
University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team have been named the
2009 Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (MWBCA) All-State team.
Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) and junior guard
Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) each earned first team honors and sophomore
guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) was named to the second team, while sophomore
forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) earned all-rookie honors.
Recently selected to the All-Little East Conference first team, Kent earned
MWBCA first team honors for the second consecutive season after leading the
Huskies and the Little East Conference in scoring averaging 15.5 points per
game. Shooting 38.1 percent (45-for-118) from three-point range, the 5-9
forward averages 5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game per. Kent,
the 2008 Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Player of the Year and
D3Hoops.com All-Region honoree, is the Huskies’ leading scorer averaging 15.5
points per game in 22 games. Kent, a 5-9 guard, averages 5.8 rebounds, 2.1
assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 38.1 percent (45-for-118) from
three-point range. The leading scorer in the Little East, Kent and is second in
the conference in free throw shooting percentage at 83.3 percent (105-for-126).
In 106 games in her career, Kent has totaled 1,177 points, 509 rebounds,
201 assists and 140 steals. She is 11th all-time in points scored while
shooting 42.5 percent from the field in her career. Her 157 career three-point
field goals made is good for fourth all time in USM history, while her 42.4
percent three-point field goal shooting percentage currently first all-time.
Kent is second all-time in free throw shooting at 80.4 percent (292-for-363).
Earning her first MWBCA honor, Paradis was recently selected to the LEC
second team. The fourth leading scorer for the Huskies this season, Paradis is
averaging 10.0 points and a team-leading 3.3 assists per game while shooting
42.0 percent (89-for-212) from the field and 34.5 percent (30-for-87) from
three-point range. Paradis leads USM and the conference in free throw shooting
at 87.8 percent (72-for-82) and is the team’s leader in steals per game
averaging 1.5 (41).
Sliding into the starting point guard role for USM during her freshman
year, Paradis has played in 85 career games and has 660 points, 151 rebounds,
258 assists, 172 steals in her career. Her 92 career three-point field goals is
eighth all-time and her 258 assists are 16th all-time.
DeMillo, the Huskies’ second leading scorer, established USM’s single-
season record for three-point field goals with 74 in 27 games while averaging
13.1 points per game. Earning first team All-LEC honors this season, DeMillo is
shooting 40.0 percent (110-for 275) from the field and 38.5 percent (74-for-192)
from three-point range. Fifth in the LEC in scoring (13.1 ppg) she leads the
conference in three-point field goal percentage and three-point field goals
made.
In two seasons with USM, DeMillo has played in 56 games totaling 500
points, 109 rebounds, 120 assists, 59 steals and 87 three-point field goals.
The 5-7 guard is averaging 8.9 points per game and a 35.0 percent mark (87-for-
248) from three-point range in her career.
In her first collegiate season, Violette nearly averaged a double-double
for the Huskies scoring 10.7 points and grabbing 9.9 rebounds per game, as teams
third-leading scorer and top rebounder. Posting nine double-doubles throughout
the season, Violette scored a career-best 22 points in the Huskies come-from-
behind win over Western Connecticut State University in the LEC semifinals.
Earning both MWBCA and LEC All-Rookie honors, Violette established herself as
one of the top rebounders early in the season nabbing a season-best 17 in a win
against Norwich University and finished the season as the LEC’s top rebounder.
Shooting a solid 43.8 percent (106-for-242) from the field, Violette has scored
300 points as a rookie. Violette is also averaging 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals
per game.
Southern Maine captured its 19th Little East Conference Tournament
Championship in the conference’s 23 years with a 64-59 win over the Eastern
Connecticut. Earning the conference’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division
III Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament, the Huskies are 22-6
and will face Emmanuel College (21-7) in the first round of the tournament on
Friday, March 6 (4:00 p.m.) at Amherst College’s LeFrak Gymnasium in Amherst,
Mass.
2009 Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-State Team
First Team
Val Beckwith Sr. Bates College
Stacey Kent Sr. University of Southern Maine
Shelby Bradford Jr. Husson University
Caitlyn Laflin Jr. University of Maine at Farmington
Nicole Paradis Jr. University of Southern Maine
Second Team
Alli Gamache Sr. University of New England
Maria Noucis Sr. Bowdoin College
Alexa Kaubris Sr. Bowdoin College
Erica Davis Sr. University of Maine at Presque Isle
Ashley Ames Sr. University of Maine at Fort Kent
Kaylie DeMilo So. University of Southern Maine
All-Rookie Team
Rachael Mack Fr. Colby College
Jill Henrikson Fr. Bowdoin College
Samantha Goda Fr. Maine Maritime
Bree Hanscom Fr. Husson University
Kristi Violette So. University of Southern Maine
Player of the Year: Val Beckwith, Bates College
Rookie of the Year: Rachael Mack, Colby College
Coach of the Year: Adrienne Shibles, Bowdoin College
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Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Four Huskies Earn Little East Conference Postseason Honors
GORHAM, Maine – Four members of the 2009 Little East Conference Champion
University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team have earned
postseason conference honors. Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-
Brown Academy) and sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) each earned
first-team all-conference honors and junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan,
Maine) was named to the LEC second team. Sophomore forward Kristi Violette
(Readfield, Maine/Cony) was named to the conference’s all-rookie team.
Kent is earning first team honors for the second time in her career after
earning the accolade as a junior in 2008. DeMillo, a 2008 All-Rookie selection
and the recently named 2009 LEC tournament Most Outstanding Player, is earning
first team honors for the first time in her career, while Paradis is taking
second team honors for the second consecutive season (2008, 2009).
Kent, the 2008 Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Player of the
Year and D3Hoops.com All-Region honoree, led the Huskies is the Huskies’ leading
scorer averaging 15.5 points per game in 22 games. Kent, a 5-9 guard, averages
5.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 38.1 percent
(45-for-118) from three-point range. Kent leads the Little East Conference in
scoring and is second in the conference in free throw shooting percentage at
83.3 percent (105-for-126).
In 106 games in her career, Kent has totaled 1,177 points, 509 rebounds,
201 assists and 140 steals. She is 11th all-time in points scored while
shooting 42.5 percent from the field in her career. Her 157 career three-point
field goals made is good for fourth all time in USM history, while her 42.4
percent three-point field goal shooting percentage currently first all-time.
Kent is second all-time in free throw shooting at 80.4 percent (292-for-363).
DeMillo, the Huskies’ second leading scorer, established USM’s single-
season record for three-point field goals with 74 in 27 games while averaging
13.1 points per game. DeMillo is shooting 40.0 percent (110-for 275) from the
field and 38.5 percent (74-for-192) from three-point range. Fifth in the LEC in
scoring (13.1 ppg) leads the conference in three-point field goal percentage and
three-point field goals made.
In two seasons with USM, DeMillo has played in 56 games totaling 500
points, 109 rebounds, 120 assists, 59 steals and 87 three-point field goals.
The 5-7 guard is averaging 8.9 points per game and a 35.0 percent mark (87-for-
248) from three-point range in her career.
The fourth leading scorer for the Huskies this season, Paradis is averaging
10.0 points and a team-leading 3.3 assists per game while shooting 42.0 percent
(89-for-212) from the field and 34.5 percent (30-for-87) from three-point range.
Paradis leads USM and the conference in free throw shooting at 87.8 percent (72-
for-82) and is the team’s leader in steals per game averaging 1.5 (41).
Sliding into the starting point guard role for USM during her freshman
year, Paradis has played in 85 career games and has 660 points, 151 rebounds,
258 assists, 172 steals in her career. Her 92 career three-point field goals is
eighth all-time and her 258 assists are 16th all-time.
In her first collegiate season, Violette nearly averaged a double-double
for the Huskies scoring 10.7 points and grabbing 9.9 rebounds per game, as teams
third-leading scorer and top rebounder. Posting nine double-doubles throughout
the season, Violette scored a career-best 22 points in the Huskies come-from-
behind win over Western Connecticut State University in the LEC semifinals.
Violette established herself as one of the top rebounders early in the season
nabbing a season-best 17 in a win against Norwich University and finished the
season as the LEC’s top rebounder. Shooting a solid 43.8 percent (106-for-242)
from the field, Violette has scored 300 points as a rookie. Violette is also
averaging 1.3 assists and 1.3 steals per game.
Southern Maine captured its 19th Little East Conference Tournament
Championship in the conference’s 23 years with a 64-59 win over the Eastern
Connecticut. Earning the conference’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division
III Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament, the Huskies are 22-6
and will face Emmanuel College (21-7) in the first round of the tournament on
Friday, March 6 (4:00 p.m.) at Amherst College’s LeFrak Gymnasium in Amherst,
Mass.
2009 Little East Conference All-Conference Team
First Team
Name Class Institution
Kristin Degou Junior Keene State College
Kaylie DeMillo Sophomore University of Southern Maine
Stacey Kent Senior University of Southern Maine
Ashley McFetridge Senior Eastern Connecticut State Univ.
Nicky Morey Senior Eastern Connecticut State Univ.
Stacey Roberts Senior Western Connecticut State Univ.
Second Team
Stephanie Coro Freshman Rhode Island College
Amanda Kania Sophomore Plymouth State University
Nicole Paradis Junior University of Southern Maine
Karli Spera Sophomore Western Connecticut State Univ.
Nicole Simmler Junior Keene State College
All-Defensive Team
Michele Boudreau Senior Keene State College
Kristin Degou Junior Keene State College
Ashley McFetridge Senior Eastern Connecticut State Univ.
Alyssa McGhee Senior Western Connecticut State Univ.
Jessica Moriarty Sophomore Eastern Connecticut State Univ.
Melissa Teel Sophomore Western Connecticut State Univ.
All-Rookie Team
Stephanie Coro Freshman Rhode Island College
Alicia Doucet Freshman Plymouth State University
Laniece Langford Freshman Univ. of Massachusetts Boston
Rachel Riley Freshman Rhode Island College
Kristi Violette Sophomore University of Southern Maine
Player of the Year Ashey McFetridge, Eastern Connecticut
Defensive Player of the Year Jessica Moriarty, Eastern Connecticut
Rookie of the Year Stephanie Coro, Rhode Island College
Co-Coaches of the Year Denise Bierly, Eastern Connecticut
Kimberly Rybczyk, Western Connecticut
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Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Southern Maine Faces Emmanuel College in NCAA First Round
Game Times and Ticket Prices Set
GORHAM, Maine – The 2009 Little East Conference Champion University of Southern
Maine Huskies women’s basketball team will face Emmanuel College on Friday,
March 6 at 4:00 p.m. at LeFrak Gymnasium on the campus of Amherst College in
Amherst, Mass.
The Huskies’ will be the home team in the first game of the regional that
will be followed by Amherst College against Babson College at 6 p.m. Advancing
teams will play at 5 p.m. on Saturday. Ticket prices for the games are $6 for
adults and $3 for senior citizens, students and children. Children under the
age of two are free of admission. Tickets will go on sale at LeFrak Gymnasium
(1360 capacity) at 2:30 p.m. on Friday and at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. There
will be no advance ticket sales.
Southern Maine enters the tournament with a 22-6 overall mark. USM earned
the Little East Conference’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA tournament after
winning its 19th LEC tournament title since the conference began sponsoring a
tournament 23 years ago. In the 23 years since the founding of the Little East
Conference, Southern Maine has either won or shared the LEC regular season title
or claimed the tournament championship. The Huskies have participated in the
NCAA tournament every year since 1995 and 23 of the last 24 years since moving
from the NAIA to the NCAA in 1985. Emmanuel College earned its 14th appearance
in the NCAA tournament after earning its 13th Great Northeast Athletic
Conference (GNAC) tournament championship. The Saints enter the tournament with
a 21-7 record and a 11-1 record in the GNAC.
Host the Amherst College Lord Jeffs earned an at-large bid to the NCAA
tournament after dropping a close game to Bowdoin College, 49-46, in the 2009
New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tournament championship
game. The loss was just the second of the season for the Lord Jeffs, who are
playing in the NCAA tournament for the second straight year and have a record of
25-2. Amherst will host the Babson College Beavers, the 2009 champion of the
New England Men’s and Women’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) on Friday. The
Beavers enter their match up with the Lord Jeffs with a 20-8 record. It is
Babson’s fourth NCAA tournament appearance and first since 1999. The Beavers
made previous appearance in 1993 and 1994.
################################################################################
Monday, March 2, 2009
Southern Maine Draws Emmanuel College in the First Round of NCAA Tourney
Teams to Play at Amherst College (Amherst, Mass.) on Friday
GORHAM, Maine – For the 15th consecutive season and 23rd time since joining
the NCAA in 1985, the University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball
team will be playing in the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National
Championship tournament. The Huskies will face the Emmanuel College Saints in a
first round game on Friday, March 6 in a regional hosted by Amherst College at
LeFrak Gymnasium in Amherst, Mass. Game times will be determined Tuesday
morning.
Southern Maine enters the tournament with a 22-6 overall mark. Southern
Maine earned the Little East Conference’s automatic qualifier to the NCAA
tournament after winning its 19th LEC tournament title since the conference
began sponsoring a tournament 23 years ago. In the 23 years since the founding
of the Little East Conference, Southern Maine has either won or shared the LEC
regular season title or claimed the tournament championship. The Huskies have
participated in the NCAA tournament every year since 1995 and 23 of the last 24
years since moving from the NAIA to the NCAA in 1985. Emmanuel College earned
its 14th appearance in the NCAA tournament after earning its 13th Great
Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tournament championship. The Saints enter
the tournament with a 21-7 record and a 11-1 record in the GNAC.
Host the Amherst College Lord Jeffs earned an at-large bid to the NCAA
tournament after dropping a close game to Bowdoin College, 49-46, in the 2009
New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) tournament championship
game. The loss was just the second of the season for the Lord Jeffs, who are
playing in the NCAA tournament for the second straight year and have a record of
25-2. Amherst will host the Babson College Beavers, the 2009 champion of the
New England Men’s and Women’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) on Friday. The
Beavers enter their match up with the Lord Jeffs with a 20-8 record. It is
Babson’s fourth NCAA tournament appearance and first since 1999. The Beavers
made previous appearance in 1993 and 1994.
Southern Maine’s balanced attack is led by the team’s lone senior, forward
Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy). Kent, a 5-9 small forward,
lead the Huskies in scoring averaging 15.5 points per game and is averaging 5.8
rebounds, 2.1 assists and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 38.1 percent from
three-point range (45-for-118). Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine),
recently named the LEC Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, is USM’s second
leading scorer averaging 13.1 points per game. Establishing a new record for
single season three-pointers, DeMillo has connected on 74 long-range strikes
this season and is shooting 38.5 percent (74-for-192) from beyond-the-arc.
DeMillo is also chipping in with 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per
game. Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) and junior
guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) chip in with 10.7 and 10.0 points per
game respectively. Violette leads the team in rebounding averaging 9.9 per game
and has posted nine double-doubles in her rookie season with the Huskies.
Paradis, a 5-4 point guard, is USM’s leading playmaker averaging 3.3 assist per
game.
Emmanuel is paced by GNAC Player of the Year junior guard Iman Davis (Toms
River, N.J.), who leads the Saints in four categories: points (18.7 ppg),
rebounds (7.2 rpg), assists (3.9 apg) and steals (2.9 spg). First team All-GNAC
selection sophomore guard Kristin LeBel (Tolland, Conn.) is netting 16.4 points
per game for Emmanuel.
NCAA Division III Regional Tournament
First Round Games, Friday, March 6 (at Amherst College, Amherst, Mass.)
Game 1: Southern Maine (22-6) vs. Emmanuel College (21-7) tba
Game 2: Amherst College (25-2) vs. Babson College (20-8) tba
Game times will be determined Tuesday morning.
Second Round Game, Saturday, March 7 (at Amherst College, Amherst, Mass.)
Game 3: Game One Winner vs. Game Two Winner tba
NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament
Who: University of Southern Maine vs. Emmanuel College
Amherst College vs. Babson College
When: Friday and Saturday, March 6-7, 2009
Where: Amherst College, Amherst Mass.
LeFrak Gymnasium
Southern Maine Team Info:
Record: 22-6 overall, 9-5 Little East Conference (3rd Place)
Little East Conference Tournament Champions (19th in program history)
Head Coach: Mike McDevitt (St. Joseph’s College (ME) ’83, First Season)
15th Consecutive NCAA tournament appearance, 23rd in the last 24 years since
moving from NAIA to NCAA in 1995
All-Time Record in NCAA Tournament Play is 43-23 (.651 winning percentage).
Best Finishes: Second Place 1998, 2000 and 2006; Third Place in 2005; Fourth in
1988
Last Year: Lost to Brandeis University 74-71 in first round.
Scoring Leaders: Stacey Kent, Sr., F, 15.5 ppg; Kaylie DeMillo, So., G, 13.1
ppg; Kristi Violette, So., F, 10.7 ppg; Nicole Paradis, Jr., G, 10.0 ppg; Haley
Johnson, Jr., F, 7.4 ppg.
Rebounding Leaders: Violette, 9.9 rpg; Johnson, 6.7 rpg; Kent, 5.8 rpg.
Assist Leaders: Paradis, 3.3 apg; DeMillo 2.4 apg; Kent; 2.1 apg
################################################################################
Monday, March 2, 2009
DeMillo Named LEC and MWBCA Player of the Week
Violette Named MWBCA Rookie of the Week
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team has been named the
Little East Conference Player of the Week and the Maine Women’s Basketball
Coaches Association (MWBCA) Payer of the Week for the week ending Sunday, March
1, 2009. It is the second time this season that the 5-7 guard has earned weekly
honors from the conference and MWBCA. DeMillo was also named to the New England
Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (NEWBA) honor roll. Joining DeMillo on
the weekly honors list for the MWBCA is sophomore forward Kristi Violette
(Readfield, Maine/Cony) who was named the Rookie of the Week.
DeMillo averaged 10.0 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game in the
Huskies three Little East Conference tournament games this week to help USM earn
its 19th Little East Conference Women’s Basketball Championship in the 23 years
since the conference began sponsoring a championship. In the championship game
against top-seed and host Eastern Connecticut, DeMillo scored 11 of her 14
points in the second half including the Huskies’ go-ahead basket, a three-
pointer, with just over a minute to play in regulation. DeMillo finished the
championship game with 14 points, five rebounds, two assists and three steals.
Named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, the 5-7 guard connected on seven
three-point field goals in the semifinal and final round of the tournament,
setting a new single-season record for three-pointers in a season with 74.
DeMillo, the Huskies’ second leading scorer, established Sum’s single-
season record for three-point field goals with 74 in 27 games while averaging
13.1 points per game. DeMillo is shooting 40.0 percent (110-for 275) from the
field and 38.5 percent (74-for-192) from three-point range. Fifth in the LEC in
scoring (13.1 peg) leads the conference in three-point field goal percentage and
three-point field goals made.
In two seasons with USM, DeMillo has played in 56 games totaling 500
points, 109 rebounds, 120 assists, 59 steals and 87 three-point field goals.
The 5-7 guard is averaging 8.9 points per game and a 35.0 percent mark (87-for-
248) from three-point range in her career.
Earning her first weekly accolade, Violette was instrumental in the
Huskies’ LEC championship. The 5-10 forward averaged 17 points, 8.3 rebounds,
2.0 assists and 2.0 steals per game in win over Rhode Island College, Western
Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut.
Violette scored a career-high 2 points in a come-from-behind win in the
semifinal of the LEC tourament and then had 12 points and a team-high seven
rebounds in the championship game. In the quarterfinals of the tournament,
Violette posted her ninth career double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Violette is averaging 10.7 points and 9.9 rebounds in her rookie season with the
Huskies and leads the Little East Conference in rebounding. She is shooting
43.8 percent (106-for-402) from the field.
Southern Maine earned the conference’s automatic bid to advance to the NCAA
Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament. The Huskies
will face Emmanuel College in the first round of the NCAA tournament at Amherst
College in the Amherst, Mass. Game times have not been announced.
################################################################################
Saturday, February 28, 2009
2009 Little East Conference Women’s Basketball Championship
Southern Maine Claims Title, Downs Eastern Connecticut 64-59
Huskies Nab 19th LEC Tournament Crown in 23 Years
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) scored a 14
points, including a pivotal late-game three, as the third-seeded University of
Southern Maine Huskies defeated the top-seeded and host Eastern Connecticut
State University Warriors 64-59 to claim the 2009 Little East Conference Women’s
Basketball Tournament Championship Saturday afternoon at Geissler Gymnasium in
Willimantic, Conn.
With the win, Southern Maine earns the conference’s automatic qualifier to
the 2009 NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship Tournament
and improves its record to 22-6. Pairings for the NCAA tournament will be
announced Monday morning. Eastern Connecticut, the 2009 LEC regular season
champions, falls to 25-3 as the Huskies halted the Warriors 13 game-winning
streak. Eastern Connecticut will await the announcement of a possible post-
season berth.
In a battle between conference rivals, the Huskies and the Warriors entered
the LEC championship game as a rubber match after splitting the regular season
series with each team winning on its home court. The Huskies defeated the
Warriors 72-64 in overtime in January and Eastern downed USM 68-65 in February.
With the point differential in both games totaling 11 points, it was fitting
that the 2009 LEC title game was a closely contested match.
Trailing for a majority of the second half, Eastern Connecticut fought back
to tie the score twice in the final three minutes of the game and took a three-
point lead, 59-56, following a pair of free throws from senior forward Ashley
McFetridge (Canton, Conn.) and a jumper from senior guard Nicky Morey (Columbia,
Conn./Windham) with 2:15 to play. However the Huskies were able hold the
Warriors scoreless over the final two minutes while sophomore guard Kaylie
DeMillo (Jay, Maine) and junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) vaulted
their team into the lead connecting on back-to-back threes for a 62-59 lead with
1:06 on the clock. The Warriors, who missed their final four shots of the game,
were forced to put the Huskies on the line as USM cleared the boards defensively
and Paradis sank both of her free throws for the 64-59 final.
Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) finished
game shooting 5-for-8 from the field to lead the Huskies with 15 points.
DeMillo added five rebounds, two assists and three steals to go along with her
14 points, draining four three-pointers, including the Huskies go-ahead basket
in the final minutes of action. DeMillo now has 74 three-point field goals this
season, setting a new USM single season record for threes. The former record of
72 was held by former USM standout Lori Towle (1995-1996). Sophomore forward
Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) chipped in with 12 points and grabbed a
team-high seven rebounds. Paradis finished with seven points and five rebounds,
while junior forward Ruthie Briggs (Springvale, Maine/Sanford) added seven
points and four rebounds off of the bench.
Senior forward Kate Brunet (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) led the
Warriors with 15 points as four players scored in double-figures for Eastern
Connecticut. Sophomore forward Amanda Pierlioni (Plainville, Conn.) scored 14
points off of the bench, while McFetridge and Morey tossed in 10 points each.
McFetridge earned game-high rebounding honors snagging 10 rebounds.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting just 35.1 percent (20-for-57)
from the field, but connected on 44.4 percent (8-for-18) of its three-point
field goals. The Huskies were solid from the free throw line making 80.0
percent (16-for-18), including 8-for-10 from the second half. Eastern
Connecticut shot 37.0 percent (20-for-54) from the field.
################################################################################
Friday, February 27, 2009
2009 Little East Conference Tournament Semifinals
Huskies Comeback to Defeat Western Connecticut 56-51
Violette Scores a Career High 22 Points to Lead USM to Championship Game
WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield,
Maine/Cony) scored a career-best 22 points, including 16 in the second half, as
the third seeded University of Southern Maine Huskies overcame an 11-point
deficit to defeat the second seeded Western Connecticut Colonials 56-51 in the
semifinals of the 2009 Little East Conference Women’s Basketball Championship
hosted by Eastern Connecticut State University Friday night at Geissler Gym in
Willimantic, Connecticut.
With the win Southern Maine advances to the championship game of the
tournament and will face top-seed and host Eastern Connecticut on Saturday at
4:00 p.m. The winner of the Little East Conference tournament earns the
conference’s automatic qualification into the NCAA Division III Championship
tournament. Eastern Connecticut downed fourth seed Keene State College 61-56 in
the first semifinal. The Huskies are now 21-6 overall while the Colonials fall
to 21-5. Western Connecticut will await notification of a possible post-season
berth.
In a tightly contested first half, the Colonials strung together a 12-1 run
in the final five minutes and 17 seconds of the half to open up a 32-22 lead at
the break. After a lay-up from USM junior Ruthie Briggs (Springvale,
Maine/Sanford) to put the Huskies ahead 20-19 with 5:17 on the clock, the
Colonials limited the Huskies to just one free throw during the stretch.
Freshman guard Jackie Silnicki (Riverhead, N.Y.) kick started the run for the
Colonials with a traditional three-point play on a jumper in the paint and a
free throw and scored five of the Colonials 12 points in the run, while senior
forward Stacey Roberts (Windham, Conn.) and senior guard Jennifer Kancler
(Columbia, Conn./Windham) each connected on threes.
The second half was a game of runs between the two rivals as both teams
took turns with offensive outbursts. Southern Maine closed the gap to two
points, 32-30, in the opening minutes of the second half stringing together an
8-0 run on a lay-up from Violette, a jumper from senior guard Stacey Kent
(Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy), one of two free throws from Violette and a
three-pointer from sophomore Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine). The Colonials
responded, however, with an 11-2 run to take its biggest lead of the game, 43-
32, with 10:50 to play. Western Connecticut used three-pointers from Kancler,
junior forward Katie Moffo (Southington, Conn.) and sophomore guard Karli Spera
(Waterford, Conn.) in the run.
Trailing the Colonials by double-figures, Southern Maine tightened its
defense and put together a 20-22 scoring spree over the next nine minutes to
knot to take its largest lead of the game, 50-45, and first lead since the five
minute mark of the first half with 1:51 remaining in the game. The Huskies held
Western Connecticut to a 1-for-8 mark from the field and forced the Colonials
into eight of its 26 turnovers during the run. The Huskies thrived at the free
throw line during the pivotal stretch making 10-of-11 tries fro the charity
stripe. Violette ignited the Huskies run notching a lay-up and a free throw
after being fouled after grabbing her own miss for one of her game-high eight
rebounds. Violette scored nine of USM’s 20 points in the run as the Huskies
received scoring contributions from four different players.
Western Connecticut sophomore guard Heather Lee (Seymour, Conn.) halted the
Huskies’ march with a three-pointer to pull the Colonials to within two, 50-48,
with 1:50 to play, but Violette again answered for her team connecting on a
jumper in the Huskies’ next possession, grabbed a defensive board on the
Colonials’ next possession and then sank to free throws for a 54-48 USM lead
with 20 seconds to play. Lee again tried to bring her team back nailing another
three with 15 seconds to go, but the Huskies made two of four free throws to
close out the game.
Violette finished the game as the only USM player in double-figures with 22
points on a 6-for-12 mark from the field and an outstanding 10-for-11 effort
from the free throw line. Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) scored
eight points and had four steals and Briggs added seven. DeMillo and junior
forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) each scored six points,
while Johnson had seven rebounds.
Lee led the Colonials with 12 points and five assists and Moffo tossed in
10 points, eight rebounds and three assists. Roberts netted eight points, while
Spera and Kancler each scored six.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting just 35.7 percent (15-for-42)
from the field, but was bolstered by a huge advantage at the free throw line
making 24-of-33 (72.7 percent). Western Connecticut shot 42.2 percent from the
field (19-for-45). The Colonials were an outstanding 52.2 percent (12-for-23)
from the floor in the first half, but shot just 31.8 percent in the second half
(7-for-22).
################################################################################
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
2009 Little East Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament – First Round
Huskies Advance to Semifinals; Down Rhode Island College 61-49
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony)
matched her career high and notched her ninth career double-double scoring 17
points and grabbing 10 rebounds to lead the third-seeded University of Southern
Maine Huskies to 61-49 win over the sixth-seeded Rhode Island College
Anchorwomen in the first round of the 2009 Little East Conference women’s
basketball tournament Tuesday night at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.
The win gave the Huskies their 20th victory of the season extending their
NCAA Division III record of 20 or more wins in a season to 29 consecutive years
dating back to the 1980-1981 season and improves their overall record to 20-6.
Rhode Island College concludes its season with a 10-16 record.
The Huskies advance to the semifinals of the LEC tournament that will be
hosted by top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University. The Huskies will
face second seeded Western Connecticut State on Friday at a time to be
determined. Western Connecticut defeated seventh-seeded UMass Boston 71-51 in
its quarterfinal game.
Violette led three USM players in double figures scoring controlling the
paint with a 7-for-14 effort from the field. Senior guard Stacey Kent
(Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) strung together a solid all-around game with
16 points, six rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals. Sophomore guard
Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) tossed in 10 points, including a pair of key three-
pointers, while junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury)
matched Violette for game-high rebounding honors with 10 to help the Huskies to
an overpowering 44-25 advantage on the glass, including 18 offensive rebounds.
Freshman guard Stephanie Coro (N. Providence, Rhode Island) led RIC with 13
points. Junior forward Ashley Abrahamson (Raynham, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham)
added 11 points and seven rebounds and senior guard Tyla Martin (Cumberland,
Rhode Island) chipped in with 10 points.
The Huskies opened up double-digit leads in both halves of the game but
were not able to put the Anchormen away as they continually clawed their way
back into the game. In the first half, the Huskies won the opening tip, scored
the first basket of the game and never trailed and led by 11 points, 25-14 with
5:42 to play following a steal and a lay-up from junior guard Nicole Paradis
(Skowhegan, Maine). Paradis finished the game with six points, three assists
and three steals. RIC was able to trim the lead to five at the break limiting
the Huskies to just one field goal, a lay-up by Violette, over the final 5:42 of
the half. RIC outscored USM 8-2 in the run as Martin scored four points on a
pair of jumpers and Abrahamson and senior guard Michelle McNamee (Cranston,
Rhode Island) each chipped in with two points for a 27-22 USM lead at the break.
RIC and USM battled back and forth in the opening minutes of the second
half, and the Anchorwomen were able to pull to within a basket of the Huskies,
41-39, with 9:02 remaining when Abrahamson converted a lay-up after a steal as
part of a 7-0 run ignited by a long three-point basket and a jumper in the paint
from Coro. The Huskies answered with a vital three-pointer from freshman guard
Nicole Garland (Portland, Maine/Deering) and used a 11-3 run to regain a 10-
point lead, 52-42, with 4:23 remaining. Kent, Garland and Johnson each scored
three points in the run, while Paradis connected on a runner in the paint.
Back-to-back baskets from junior guard LaSheena Boyd (Stratford, Conn./Bunnell)
cut the RIC deficit to eight points, but it was as close as her team would get
the rest of the way as USM’s DeMillo drained a three and the Huskies made 6-of-6
free throws down the stretch.
################################################################################
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Western Connecticut Edges Southern Maine 62-59
GORHAM, Maine - Sophomore center Melissa Teel (Hamden, Conn.) recorded a
double-double with 18 points and 12 rebounds – both game-high totals – to lead
the Western Connecticut State University Colonials to a 62-59 win over the
University of Southern Maine Huskies Saturday afternoon at Hill Gymnasium in
Gorham, Maine.
With the win, Western Connecticut earns its 20th win of the season and
improves to 20-4 and 11-2 in the Little East. The loss drops the Huskies to 19-
6 overall and 9-5 in the conference. Both teams will host a first round Little
East Conference tournament quarterfinal game on Tuesday. The Colonials will be
the number two seed and the Huskies will be the three seed. USM will host
sixth seed Rhode Island College at 7:00 p.m. and the Colonials will face seventh
seed UMass Boston at a time to be determined.
Teel was a force in the paint for the Colonials shooting an outstanding 8-
for-9 from the field, while grabbing six offensive boards. Teel also had two
assists and three blocked shots. Sophomore guard Heather Lee (Seymour, Conn.)
added 11 points for the Colonials, including a trio of three-pointers. Senior
forward Stacey Roberts (Windham, Conn.) added nine points and six boards, while
sophomore guard Karli Spera (Waterford, Conn.) and senior guard Jennifer Kancler
(Columbia, Conn./Windham) each had eight points.
Southern Maine sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony)
led the Huskies with 14 points on a 5-for-9 effort from the field. Sophomore
guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) added 12 points while junior guard Nicole
Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) chipped in with 11 points.
In a tightly contested game, Western Connecticut was able to fend off the
Huskies’ come-back bid twice in the final four minutes of action. Ahead by
eight, 57-49, after a Teel lay-up off of a Spera assists, USM scored a quick
five point swing to pull to within a possession of the Colonials, 57-54, on a
lay-up and one of two free throws from Violette and a pair of free throws from
Kent following an offensive board with 3:00 remaining.
The Colonials pushed their lead by to seven in the next minute and a half
on another lay-up from Teel and two free throws from Spera with 1:24 on the
clock. USM’s Paradis pushed the ball and was awarded and sealed pair of free
throws on the Huskies’ next possession to trail by five, 61-56, with 1:05 to
play, before DeMillo drained her third three-pointer of the game deep at the off
the key for a 61-59 Colonial lead with 41 seconds to play. Teel made one of two
free throws in the Colonials next possession and the Huskies two final attempts
at a game-tying three-pointer missed the mark as Western Connecticut held on for
the win.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting 41.0 percent (16-for-39) from
the field and 44.4 percent (4-for-9) from three-point range but struggled at the
free throw line. Despite holding a distinct advantage in attempts at 35 to 10,
the Huskies converted just 65.7 percent (23-for-35). Western Connecticut
finished the game shooting 43.6 percent (24-for-55) from the field and made
eight three-pointers.
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Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Five Players in Double Figures as USM Downs Plymouth State 74-66
PLYMOUTH, N.H. – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) scored 18
points to lead five players in double-figures as the University of Southern
Maine Huskies defeated the Plymouth State University Panthers 74-66 in a Little
East Conference women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Foley Gymnasium in
Plymouth, N.H.
With the win Southern Maine moves into sole possession of third place in
the LEC and improves its overall record to 19-5 and 9-4 in the Little East.
Plymouth State falls to 15-9 overall and 5-8 in the conference with the loss.
DeMillo scored 12 of her 18 points in the first half as the Huskies jumped
out to a 44-30 lead at the half. DeMillo finished the game shooting 5-for-11
from the field and passed off four assists. Sophomore forward Kristi Violette
(Readfield, Maine/Cony) added 14 points and six rebounds on a 5-for-8
performance from the field. Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy), junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) and freshman forward
Courtney Cochran (Waite, Maine/Woodland) each scored 11 points. Paradis added a
team-high five assists and three steals.
Plymouth State sophomore forward Amanda Kania (Manchester, N.H./West)
scored a game-high 20 points and grabbed nine rebounds to pace the Panthers.
Freshman forward Alicia Doucet (Manchester, N.H./Central) tossed in 17 points
and snagged five rebounds in a strong performance off of the bench, while junior
forward Laura Kent (Bellingham, Mass.) added 10 points. Senior forward Kayla
Morin (Pasoag, R.I./Burrillville) chipped in with eight points and a game-high
nine rebounds.
USM opened up a commanding lead with a run late in the first half. Leading
by three, 22-19, with 6:37 to play, the Huskies scored seven unanswered points
to pull away from the Panthers 29-19 with 5:32 to play. Cochran scored five of
her 11 points in the run. The Huskies outscored the Panthers 15-11 to lead PSU
44-30 at the break.
In the second half, USM maintained between a 10-17 point lead during the
first 12 minutes of the half before the Panthers clawed their way back into the
game. Trailing the Huskies 62-51 with 8:45 on the clock, PSU outscored USM 12-5
during a seven-minute span to pull within two possessions of Southern Maine, 67-
63, with 1:34 to play. The Panthers limited the Huskies to a 1-for-5 effort
from the field during that stretch and forced USM into four turnovers. Morin
spearheaded the Panther attack in the run with four points, three assists, a
steal and a blocked shot. The Huskies were able to recover and regain their
composure sinking seven of 10 free throws in the final minutes of action.
Southern Maine shot 42.3 percent (22-for-52) from the field and was rock
solid from the free throw line sinking 27-of-33 (81.8 percent) from the charity
stripe. Plymouth State shot 42.4 percent (25-for-59) from the field. The
Panthers were at a disadvantage at the free throw line making 11 of 16 (68.8
percent).
Southern Maine concludes its regular season schedule at home on Saturday
(1:00 p.m.) against LEC foe Western Connecticut State University. Plymouth
State University hosts UMass Dartmouth on the same date and time.
################################################################################
Saturday, February 14, 2009
DeMillo Nets 22 as USM Rolls Over Rhode Island College 71-56
GORHAM, Maine - Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) scored a game-
high 22 points to lead a balanced offense as the University of Southern Maine
Huskies downed the Rhode Island College Anchorwomen 71-56 in a Little East
Conference women’s basketball game Saturday afternoon at Hill Gymansium in
Gorham, Maine.
The Huskies scored the first 12 points of the game and never looked back to
improve to 18-5 overall and 8-4 in the Little East. The loss drops Rhode Island
College to 10-13 overall and 5-7 in the conference.
DeMillo was one of three USM players in double-figures and one of five
players to score at least eight points. DeMillo was 5-for-12 from the field and
4-for-11 from three-point range to pace USM. Senior guard Stacey Kent
(Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) added 15 points and six rebounds, while
junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) netted 13 points and passed off a
game-high six assists. Junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury,
Conn./Simsbury) added eight points and nine rebounds and sophomore forward
Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) chipped in with nine points and a game-
high 14 rebounds.
Freshman forward Rachel Riley (Coventry, Rhode Island) led the Anchorwomen
with 14 points and five rebounds on 5-for-9 shooting from the field Freshman
guard Stephanie Coro (North Providence, Rhode Island) added 10 points. Junior
forward Ashley Abrahamson (Raynham, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham) scored eight
points and grabbed five rebounds off of the bench for RIC.
Violette and DeMillo combined to score USM’s first 12 points of the first
half to set the tone for the Huskies. Violette converted two baskets in the
paint and DeMillo rattled off five points on a three-pointer and a fast-break
layup, before Violette capped the run with a traditional three-point play with a
lay-up and a free throw for a 12-0 USM lead with 16:16 on the clock.
The Anchorwomen battled back to within a possession of the Huskies twice
late in the first half. RIC pulled to within three of USM, 23-20, on a jumper
from Abrahamson with 4:05 on the clock and then crept to within two, 26-24, on a
jumper from Coro with 2:09 to play. However, the Huskies closed out the opening
stanza outscoring RIC 7-3 over the final two minutes to take a 33-27 lead at the
break.
USM opened the second half with another 7-3 run to lead by 11, 40-29, with
17:48 to play on a pair of offensive rebounds and layups from Johnson and a
three-pointer from Paradis. USM maintained between a seven and 10 point lead
over the next seven minutes before RIC again trimmed the USM lead to within two
possessions. Trailing by nine, 45-36, junior forward Jenn Knott (Narragansett,
Rhode Island) grabbed an offensive rebound and sank two free throws and was
followed by a layup by Riley to cut the lead to 45-40 with 9:13 on the clock.
The Huskies’ Kent quickly gave her team a double-digit cushion again however,
sinking two free throws and draining a three-pointer in two straight
possessions.
RIC was unable to get any closer than nine points the rest of the way and
the Huskies thrived as the free throw line in the final two minutes of the game
making 12-of-13 down the stretch.
USM finished the game shooting 40.4 percent (19-for-47) from the field and
36.0 percent from three-point range (9-for-25). RIC shot 33.9 percent (20-for-
59) from the field but was at a disadvantage at the charity stripe. Despite
shooting 86.7 percent from the free throw line, the Anchorwomen only stepped to
the line 15 times compared to 31 times for the Huskies. Southern Maine made
77.4 percent (24-for-31) from the line.
USM travels to Plymouth State University on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.) for a
Little East Conference game. Rhode Island College travels to Western
Connecticut on the same date.
################################################################################
Friday, February 13, 2009
LittleEast.tv to Broadcast USM Basketball Doubleheader on Saturday
GORHAM, Maine - The Little East Conference and EZStream.com will partner
to video broadcast the University of Southern Maine Huskies basketball men’s and
women’s basketball double header against the Rhode Island College Anchormen on
Saturday, February 14, 2009 live from Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine. The
LittleEast.tv crew is touring to its fourth state in the New England Region in
the past two weeks.
The Anchorwomen (10-12, 5-6 LEC) and the Huskies (17-5, 7-4 LEC) will
square off in at 1:00 p.m. Providing the play-by-play call and color commentary
beginning at 12:50 p.m. for the women’s game will be Jim Ward and former USM
Women’s Basketball Coach Gary Fifield. The Husky men (4-18, 1-10 LEC) will face
the nationally-ranked Anchormen (18-4, 10-1 LEC) at 3:00 p.m. Fifield will
remain on the broadcast for the men’s game and will by joined by John Paradise.
The broadcast can be accessed at www.littleeast.tv beginning at 12:50 p.m.
on Saturday. The broadcast is free of charge.
################################################################################
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Kent Leads Huskies Past UMass Boston 63-41
BOSTON - Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy)
scored a game-high 20 points in just 20 minutes of action to lead the University
of Southern Maine Huskies to a 63-41 win over the UMass Boston Beacons in Little
East Conference women’s basketball action Tuesday night at the Clark Athletic
Center in Boston, Mass.
With the win Southern Maine improves to 17-5 overall and 7-4 in the
Little East. UMass Boston drops to 3-18 overall and 1-10 in conference action.
The loss was the third straight for the Beacons.
Southern Maine overcame an ice-cold 6-for-24 (25 percent) shooting
performance in the first half outscoring the Beacons 38-21 in the second stanza
for the win. Despite 13 first half turnovers, Southern Maine managed a slim 25-
20 lead at the break, led by 12 points from Kent. Kent finished the game
shooting 5-for-10 from the field and 4-for-5 from three-point range to pace the
Huskies. Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfeld, Maine/Cony) grabbed a
game-high 14 rebounds to compliment six points, while junior forward Haley
Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) snagged 10 caroms to help the Huskies to
a 43-33 edge on the glass. Junior guard Nicole Paradi (Skowhegan, Maine)
tossed in nine points and dished out a game-high five assists and Johnson and
Violette each scored six points.
UMass Boston freshman guard Laniece Langford (Boston, Mass./Jeremiah E.
Burke) scored 18 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, both game-high totals, to lead
the Beacons. Sophomore forward Kristen Penney (West Roxbury, Mass./Fontbonne
Academy) added seven points off of the bench.
Holding on to its 25-20 lead at the break, Southern Maine busted out of the
gates in the opening five minutes of the second half scoring 15 unanswered
points into take control of the game. Kent scored eight of the Huskies 15
points in the decisive run to take a 40-20 lead with 15;07 on the clock.
Sophomore guard Norma Cumbee (Malden, Mass.) made a lay-up with 14:47
remaining to halt the Huskies deluge, but Southern Maine rattled off 10 of the
next 12 points in the game to take their largest lead of the game, 50-24, with
just over 10 minutes to play. Southern Maine remained in cruise control the
rest of the way as the Beacons were unable to get closer than 18 points the rest
of the game.
Southern Maine shot 55.6 percent (15-for-27) in the second half to finish
the game shooting 41.2 percent (21-for-51) for the game. The Huskies shot 46.2
percent (6-for-13) from three-point range led by four threes by Kent. UMass
Boston shot 28.6 percent (16-for-56) from the field, making eight field goals
per half.
Southern Maine hosts LEC foe Rhode Island College on Saturday (1:00 p.m.)
in its next game. UMass Boston hosts Suffolk University on Thursday (5:30 p.m.)
in a non-conference game.
################################################################################
Monday, February 9, 2009
Kent Named to ESPN The Magazine CoSIDA Academic All-District One Second Team
GORHAM, Maine – Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) of the University of Southern Maine Huskies women's basketball team has
been named to the 2009 ESPN the Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District Women’s
Basketball Team College Division Second Team.
The 5-9 guard earned third team honors as a junior in 2008 and currently
carries a 3.41 grade point average and is majoring in psychology. The College
Sports Information Directors of America selects Academic All America(r) teams
in 12 programs: football, women's volleyball, men's soccer, women's soccer,
men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball, men's track &
field/cross country, women's track & field/cross country, men's at large and
women's at large. A first team, second team and third team are selected in
both the University (Division I and I-AA) and College (Division II, III and
NAIA) Divisions.
A co-captain of the 2009 USM team, Kent earned numerous awards as a junior
including D3hoops.com All-Northeast Region, ECAC Division III New England
Women’s Basketball All-Star First Team, Maine Women's Basketball Coaches
Association (MWBCA) Player of the Year, MWBCA All-State First Team and All-
Little East Conference First Team honors.
Kent leads Southern Maine in scoring averaging 16.8 points per game and is
shooting 36.4 percent (32-for-88) from three-point range and 82.4 percent (70-
for-85) from the free throw line. Kent is also third on the team in rebounds
(6.2 per game) and assists (2.3 per game).
Kent, who became just the 18th player in USM history to score 1,000 career
points earlier this season, is currently 13th all-time in the career scoring
with 1087 points. In 99 career games, Kent is averaging 10.97 points per game
while shooting 43.4 percent (343-for-789) from the field. She is second all-
time in career three-point field goal shooting percentage (42.3 percent) making
144 three-pointers in 340 tries. Her 144 career three-pointers is fourth all-
time. Kent is also tied for second in career free throw shooting percentage at
79.8 percent (257-for-322). She has 475 career rebounds (4.79 per game) and 189
assists (1.9 per game).
Southern Maine is 16-5 overall and 6-4 in the Little East Conference. The
Huskies return to action on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.) on the road at UMass Boston for
a LEC game.
2009 ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District One Women's Basketball Team
College Division
First Team
Name School Yr. Hometown
Shelby Bradford Husson Jr. Lee, Maine
Kristin Degou Keene St. Jr. Newburyport, Mass.
E.J. Deyer Molloy Jr. Floral Park, N.Y.
Johannah Leedham Franklin Pierce Jr. Ellesmere, England
Shannon Malone Bridgeport Jr. Melbourne, Australia
Julie Marriot Rochester Sr. Fairport, N.Y.
Sidney Parsons Bridgeport Jr. Chandler, Ariz.
Andrea Wasuk Westfield State Sr. Lenox, Mass.
Second Team
Elizabeth Barker Rensselaer Polytechnic Sr. West Suffield, Conn.
Stacey Kent Southern Maine Sr. Northwood, N.H.
Third Team
Blair Carpenter Rivier Jr. Meredith, N.H.
Sara Chrystie Oneonta State Jr. Oxford, N.Y.
Cynthia Gaudet Franklin Pierce So. Coventry, R.I.
Allegra Lovoy Salve Regina Sr. Charlestown, R.I.
Michelle Rogers Union (N.Y.) Sr. Clarence, N.Y.
################################################################################
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Eastern Connecticut Edges Past Southern Maine 68-65
GORHAM, Maine – Senior guard Christina Amato (Marlboro, Mass.) scored the
final five points of the game for the nationally-ranked Eastern Connecticut
State University Warriors to lead her team to a closely contested 68-65 win over
the University of Southern Maine Huskies in Little East Conference women’s
basketball action Saturday afternoon at Geissler Gym in Willimantic, Conn.
Securing its 10th straight win, Eastern Connecticut improves its overall
record to 19-2 and 9-1 in the Little East Conference. Southern Maine falls to
16-5 and 6-4 in the Little East.
With her team holding a slim one-point advantage, 63-62, with 2:38 to play,
Amato sand a three pointer from the wing and then calmly sank both ends of a
one-and-one with 21 seconds on the clock to secure the Warrior win. Amato
finished the game with 13 points on a 4-for-7 effort from the field and a game-
high five assists as the Warriors place four players in double figures scoring.
Sophomore guard Jessica Moriarty (East Haven, Conn.) led the Warriors with 20
points and seven rebounds and senior guard Nicky Morey (Columbia, Conn./Windham)
tossed in 15 points and three assist. Senior center Ashley McFetridge (Canton,
Conn.) chipped in with 14 points, five rebounds and five blocked shots.
Southern Maine senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy)
led all scorers with 24 points, including 13 in the second half. Kent was 5-
for-7 from three-point range and added six rebounds and four steals. Sophomore
guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) scored 14 points to finish as the only other
USM player in double-figures. Junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury,
Conn./Simsbury) and sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony)
each scored eight points, while Violette grabbed a game-high nine rebounds.
Suffering from a second-half shooting slump, Southern Maine trailed the
Warriors by seven points, 53-46, with 9:08 to play following a traditional
three-point play from McFetridge. The Huskies had led the Warriors by as many
as seven points in the first half and held a five-point 35-30 lead at the half.
However, the Huskies were able to battle back into the game in the second half
and managed to take a four-point lead, 62-58, with 4:13 to play. Following
McFetridge’s lay-up and free throw, USM outscored the Warriors 16-5 led by 11
points from Kent. Kent sank three three-pointers in the run that was capped by
a three from DeMillo for the Huskies four-point margin.
After DeMillo’s three, Eastern Connecticut’s Morey sank a three from the
win to pull the Warriors to within one, 62-61, with 3:56 to play, before
Moriarity drained a jumper in the paint for a one point Eastern Connecticut
advantage with 2:38 on the clock.
Amato increased the Warrior lead to four with a three from the win, before
DeMillo nailed her second three of the half to cut the lead to 66-65 Eastern
Connecticut with 1:15 to play. After a missed USM possession the Huskies were
forced to foul and put Amato on the line. Amato’s free throws gave Eastern
Connecticut a 68-65 lead with 21.7 to play and the Huskies’ final shot of the
game, a three-pointer from the top of the key, rattled in and out as time
expired.
Southern Maine returns to action on at UMass Boston on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.)
in Little East Conference action. Eastern Connecticut travels to rival Western
Connecticut on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.).
################################################################################
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Southern Maine Cruises Past Thomas College 85-44
GORHAM, Maine – Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) scored 14 points to lead five players in double-digits as the
University of Southern Maine Huskies used a balanced scoring attack to defeat
the Thomas College Terriers 85-44 in non-conference women’s basketball action
Thursday night at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.
With every player that entered the game scoring at least two points
Southern Maine improves to 16-4 overall with the win. The Terriers, suffering
their third straight loss, fall to 4-15 overall.
Kent was 5-for-13 from the field, including a pair of three-pointers and
six rebounds in 23 minutes of action to lead the Huskies. Freshman guard Nicole
Garland (Portland, Maine/Deering) added 12 points off of the bench, sinking four
three-pointers and freshman guard Renee Nicholas (Sebago, Maine/Lake Region)
tossed in 11 points and four steals. Junior forward Haley Johnson (West
Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) and sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) each
scored 10 points. Johnson added six rebounds and DeMillo grabbed a game-high
five steals. Freshman guard Andrea Mailo (Portland, Maine/Deering) dished out a
career-high seven assists.
Junior guard Jess Nassetta (Standish, Maine) paced the Terriers with a
team-high 12 points. Senior guard Amy Miles (Waldo, Maine), freshman guard Lynn
Chaisson (Dummer, N.H.) and freshman guard Kristin Masessa (Montville, Maine)
each scored seven points.
Led by eight points a piece from Johnson and DeMillo, Southern Maine jumped
out to a 37-24 halftime lead. After winning the opening tip, Southern Maine
scored the first basket of the game, a jumper from junior guard Nicole Paradis
(Skowhegan, Maine), and remained in control of the game the rest of the way.
Southern Maine dominated the opening seven minutes of the second half
outscoring the Terriers 23-8 to lead 54-32 with 13:09 to play. The Huskies
received scoring contributions from five different players in the run, led by
five points from Kent. USM pressured the Terriers defensively, limiting Thomas
to a 3-for-11 effort with five turnovers during the seven minutes stretch.
Southern Maine maintained control of the game over the final 13 minutes,
holding the Terriers to just eight second half field goals on a 8-for-33 effort
from the field. Conversely, Southern Maine shot an outstanding 60.6 percent
(20-for-33) from the field in the second half, including six three-pointers.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting 49.3 percent (34-for-69) from the
field and 41.7 percent (10-for-24) from three-point range. Thomas shot 29.5
percent (18-for-61) from the field.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) at Little East
Conference opponent Eastern Connecticut State University. The Terriers are in
action at home against Husson University on Saturday (2:00 p.m.).
################################################################################
Monday, February 2, 2009
DeMillo Named Little East Conference Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team has been named the
Little East Conference Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday, February
1, 2009. DeMillo, who was also named to the New England Women’s Basketball
Association honor roll, is earning the LEC weekly honor for the first time this
season.
DeMillo sparked the Huskies to a 2-0 week in Little East Conference action
with wins over Plymouth State (66-51) and UMass Dartmouth (69-41). The 5-7
guard averaged 18.5 points and 4.5 assists per game shooting 43.0 percent (7-
for-13) from three-point range and 44.0 percent (13-for-29) from the field,
while converting 4-for-5 free throws.
Against Plymouth State, DeMillo netted a game-high 18 points and five
assists. DeMillo capped her week with a 19-point performance against UMass
Dartmouth on a stellar 7-for-13 mark from the field including five first-half
three-pointers. DeMillo also chipped in with four assists in the Huskies’ win
over the Corsairs.
DeMillo is the Huskies second-leading scorer averaging 13.6 points per game
while shooting 41.0 percent (77-for-186) from the field and 41.0 percent from
three-point range (52-for-126). DeMillo’s 52 three-point field goals are
currently tied for eighth in USM’s single season record books. Through 48
career games, the sophomore guard has totaled 371 points, including 65 three-
pointers, 105 assists and 90 rebounds.
Southern Maine hosts Thomas College on Thursday (7:00 p.m.) in a non-
conference game before travelling to Little East Conference rival Eastern
Connecticut State University on Saturday (1:00 p.m.).
################################################################################
aturday, January 31, 2009
Southern Maine Downs UMass Dartmouth 69-41
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) scored a game-high
19 points to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 69-41 win over
the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs in a Little East Conference women’s basketball game
Saturday afternoon at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.
With the win, Southern Maine improves to 15-4 on the season and 6-3 in the
Little East Conference. The Corsairs fall to 3-16 overall and remain winless in
conference action at 0-9.
DeMillo drained five three-pointers en route to her game-high total and
finished the game shooting a solid 7-for-13 from the field including 5-for-10
from three-point range. The 5-7 guard added a team-high four assists.
Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) recorded her eighth
double-double of the season notching 15 points and grabbing a game-high 12
rebounds, while freshman guard Nicole Garland (Portland, Maine/Deering) added
nine points off of the bench.
Sophomore guard Tashauna Ashmeade (Hyannis, Mass./Barnstable) led the
Corsairs with 12 points and four steals. Senior guard Madison Malloy (Cranston,
R.I./Bay View Academy) added 10 points, four assists and three steals, while
sophomore guard Kelly Whooley (Raynham, Mass./Bridgewater-Raynham).
DeMillo scored 17 of her 19 points in the first half to lead the Huskies
to a dominating 36-20 halftime lead, while Garland scored eight of her nine
points. The Huskies shot an impressive 57.1 percent (8-for-14) from three-point
range in the opening half, led by five three-pointers from DeMillo. Garland
added two three-pointers and junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine)
tossed in a three.
In the second half Southern Maine continued to outpace the Corsairs and
opened up a 20-point lead, 49-29, midway through the half. Violette scored
seven of her 15 points in the second half. Freshman guard Renee Nicholas
(Sebago, Maine/Lake Region) scored all seven of her points in the second half
and junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) scored six of
her eight to lead USM.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting 42.9 percent (27-for-63) from
the field and 43.5 percent (10-for-23) from three-point range. The Corsairs
hampered by 22 turnovers shot 29.8 percent (14-for-47) from the floor and 10.0
percent (1-for-10) from three-point range.
Southern Maine returns to action on Thursday (7:00 p.m.) at home against
Thomas College. UMass Dartmouth is at Tufts on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.).
################################################################################
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
DeMillo, Johnson Pace Huskies Past Plymouth State 66-51
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) and junior forward
Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) combined to score 35 points to
lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 66-51 win over the Plymouth
State University Panthers in Little East Conference action Tuesday night at Hill
Gymnasium in Gorham.
With the win Southern Maine improves to 14-4 on the season and 5-3 in the
Little East Conference. The loss drops the Panthers to 12-6 overall and 3-5 in
the conference. The Huskies own a 61-7 lead in the 68 game series between the
two schools.
DeMillo was 6-for-16 from the field to lead the Huskies with 18 points and
a season-best five assists, while Johnson recorded a career-high 17 points on a
stellar 7-for-9 from the floor. Johnson complimented her career-high scoring
total with eight rebounds and five steals. Junior guard Nicole Paradis
(Skowhegan, Maine) added eight points, five assists and three steals and
sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) tossed in eight points
and a game-high 16 rebounds.
Junior guard Kalie Judd (Peabody, Mass./Veterans Memorial) led the Panthers
12 points and six rebounds. Freshman forward Alicia Doucet (Manchester,
N.H./Central) added 11 points, while sophomore forward Amanda Kania (Manchester,
N.H./West) added 10 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Ahead by a basket, 31-29, through the first half, the Huskies pulled away
from the Panthers in the second half outscoring PSU 35-22 in the second stanza.
Paradis scored all eight of her points in the second half, while Johnson netted
seven and DeMillo nine. USM used a 11-2 run in the opening six minutes and 29
seconds of the second half to pull ahead of the Panthers, 42-31. DeMillo was
instrumental in the attack scoring six of the Huskies’ 11 points.
Plymouth State battled back to within eight points of the Huskies, 46-38,
with 9:37 to play on a lay-up from Kania, but the Huskies quickly returned their
lead to double-digits over the next three minutes with a 12-4 spurt. USM
received scoring contributions from five different players in the run to lead
58-42 with 6:05 on the clock. From there the Huskies were able to keep the
Panthers at bay and led by as many as 18 points late in the game.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) when it hosts
UMass Dartmouth in a Little East Conference game. Plymouth State is at Western
Connecticut on the same date and time.
################################################################################
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Keene State Downs Southern Maine 64-51
KEENE, N.H. -- Junior guard Kristin Degou (Newburyport, Mass.) scored 14
points to lead four players in double-figures as the Keene State College Owls
defeated the University of Southern Maine Huskies 64-51 in a Little East
Conference women's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Spaulding Gymnasium in
Keene, N.H.
Earning its third straight win, Keene State improves to 14-3 overall and 5-
2 in the Little East Conference and avenges an earlier 61-47 loss to USM. The
loss drops Southern Maine to 13-4 overall and 4-3 in the Little East. The
Huskies have lost three out of their last four games.
Degou was 5-for-12 from the field, including 3-for-6 from three-point range
to lead the Owls. Junior forward Nicole Simmler (Oxford, Mass.) added a double-
double with 12 points and a game high 11 rebounds, while senior guard Michele
Boudreau (Readsboro, Vt./Drury) and junior guard Alyssa Sapp (Hartford, Vt.)
each tossed in 10 points.
Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) led USM with 12 points and
sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) chipped in with 11 points. Freshman
guard Nicole Garland (Portland, Maine/Deering) recorded her second double-digit
scoring effort in two games with 10 points.
Led by Degou?s 13-point effort, the Owls shot 46.7 percent (14-for-30) from
the field and 60.0 percent (6-for-10) from three-point range to build up a
commanding 36-18 halftime lead. The Owls defense interrupted Southern Maine?s
offensive holding the Huskies to just a 29.4 percent (5-for-17) effort from the
field in the opening stanza while forcing USM into 11 turnovers.
Southern Maine rebounded to shoot 40.9 percent (9-for-22) in the second
half and outscore the Owls 33-28 but it was too little too late as Keene State
cruised to the win.
Southern Maine returns to action at home against Plymouth State University
on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.) in a Little East Conference game. Keene State hosts
Eastern Connecticut on the same date and time.
################################################################################
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Huskies Hammer UMass Boston 69-44
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) led three
players in double-figures as the University of Southern Maine Huskies defeated
the UMass Boston Beacons 69-44 in Little East Conference women’s basketball
action Tuesday evening at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.
The win halts a two-game slide for the Huskies who improve to 13-3 on the
season and 4-2 in the Little East Conference. UMass Boston falls to 2-14
overall and 0-6 in the conference.
DeMillo was 6-for-14 from the field, including four three-point field goals
en route to her 18 points. Freshman guard Nicole Garland (Portland,
Maine/Deering) notched a career-best 14 points in her first collegiate start for
the Huskies, while freshman guard Renee Nicholas (Sebago, Maine/Lake Region)
also tossed in a career effort with 11 points. Garland sank four threes for
Southern Maine, while Nicholas finished the game 5-for-11 from the field.
Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) added nine points and
eight rebounds and junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) added eight
points, six assists and five steals.
Freshman guard Laniece Langford (Boston, Mass./Jeremiah E. Burke) led the
Beacons with 11 points. Freshman forward Molly Rattigan (Dorchester,
Mass./Fontbonne Academy) and sophomore forward Sharmayne Sturgis (Cambridge,
Mass./Cambridge Rindge & Latin) each scored eight points. Rattigan added eight
rebounds and two blocked shots.
After struggling through a rough shooting first-half to lead the Beacons
24-18, Southern Maine found its offensive rhythm in the second stanza shooting
50.0 percent (17-for-34) from the field and 60.0 percent (6-for-10) from three-
point range to outscore UMass Boston 45-26.
Southern Maine opened the half on a 18-4 run to take a 39-22 lead with
13:39 to play. DeMillo scored 11 of USM’s 20 points in the run including the
first eight points, making a layup and a pair of threes. Violette, Nicholas and
junior forward Ruthie Briggs (Sanford, Maine/Sanford) each tallied lay ups with
Nicholas adding a free throw, before DeMillo canned her third three-pointer of
the second half.
UMass Boston never got any closer than 16 points the rest of the way and
USM led by as many as 28 points en route to the win.
Southern Maine finished shooting 41.9 percent (26-for-62) from the field
and 45.5 percent (10-for-22) from three-point range. UMass Boston shot 40.0
percent (20-for-50) from the field, but was slowed by 25 turnovers.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) at Little East
Conference rival Keene State University. UMass Boston is at Rhode Island
College on Saturday (1:00 p.m.).
################################################################################
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Western Connecticut Dumps Southern Maine 61-44
DANBURY, Conn. – Senior forward Stacey Roberts (Windham, Conn.) and
sophomore guard Karli Spera (Waterford, Conn.) combined to score 23 points to
lead the Western Connecticut State University Colonials to a 61-44 win over the
University of Southern Maine Huskies Saturday afternoon in a Little East
Conference women’s basketball game in Feldman Arena in Danbury, Conn.
The loss is the second straight for the Huskies who fall to 12-3 overall
and 3-2 in the LEC. Western Connecticut remains in first place in the
conference improving to 4-0 in league action and 12-2 overall.
Roberts had 12 points and four rebounds on a 4-for-9 effort from the field,
while Spera tossed in 11 points, six rebounds and four assists. Senior forward
Isabella Henry (Coram, N.Y./Newfield) added nine points and five rebounds.
Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) led the Huskies with 10 points
as the Huskies struggled offensively for the second straight game shooting just
27.1 percent (13-for-48) from the field while turning the ball over 18 times.
Junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) added eight points
and a team-high eight rebounds. Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine)
tossed in seven points and had five assists.
After taking a 35-28 lead at the half, Western Connecticut held the Huskies
to a season low 16 points in the second half. Southern Maine shot just 17.4
percent in the second half making just four of 23 attempts from the field.
The Colonials finished the game shooting 32.8 percent from the field (22-
for-67), including 43.8 percent (14-for-32) in the first half. Western
Connecticut also held a sizeable 47-39 edge on the boards.
Southern Maine returns to action at home on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.) when it
hosts UMass Boston in Little East Conference action. Western Connecticut is at
Eastern Connecticut on the same day.
################################################################################
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Rhode Island College Upsets Southern Maine 82-74
PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island – Freshman guard Stephanie Coro (N. Providence,
Rhode Island/) scored a team high 21 points and the Rhode Island College
Anchorwomen took advantage of 17 turnovers to take a 82-74 Little East
Conference women’s basketball win over the nationally-ranked University of
Southern Maine Huskies Tuesday night at the Murray Center in Providence, Rhode
Island.
Rhode Island College improves to 6-8 with the win and 2-2 in the Little
East Conference. Suffering its first conference loss of the season, Southern
Maine dips to 12-2 overall and 3-1 in the LEC. The Anchorwomen’s win over the
Huskies is just their fourth in the 43-game series between the two schools since
the inception of the Little East Conference.
Coro sank four three-pointers to lead four players in double-figures for
the Anchorwomen. Senior guard Tyla Martin (Cumberland, Rhode Island) netted 15
points, while junior guard Cassi Malec (Glocester, Rhode Island) and junior
guard LaSheena Boyd (Stratford, Conn./Bunnell) each chipped in with 12 points.
Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) led all scorers with 29 points,
including six three-pointers. Sophomore forwards Kristi Violette (Readfield,
Maine/Cony), Beth Fredette (Sanford, Maine) and freshman guard Nicole Garland
(Portland, Maine/Deering) each added 11 points. Violette added 11 rebounds to
notch her seventh double-double of the season.
Southern Maine fell behind the Anchorwomen by as many as 16 points in the
first half and trailed RIC 43-31 at the break due to a red-hot shooting
performance from Rhode Island and a costly 18 first-half turnovers. The
Anchorwomen shot 43.8 percent (14-for-32) from three-point range in the game.
Trailing by 12 at the break USM rallied to take a 58-56 lead with 9:40 to
play on a three-pointer from Garland. However, the Anchorwomen were able to
regain the lead after a back-and-forth battle over the next three minutes when
Martin sank a three-pointer of her own for a 64-63 RIC margin. RIC added to its
advantage, 67-63, on its next possession with a three-pointer from Malec with
5:56 to play.
USM battled back to within two points of the Anchorwomen, 69-67, on a three
from DeMillo with 4:51 to play, but RIC used a 6-0 run over its next two
possession on three-pointers from Martin and Coro to take a commanding eight-
point lead, 75-67, with 3:21 on the clock. USM was unable to get closer than
five points the rest of the way as Anchorwomen sank 7-of-8 free throws down the
stretch.
The Huskies shot 48.1 percent (25-52) from the field, but struggled to take
care of the ball with 23 turnovers. The Huskies were also uncharacteristically
cold from the charity stripe making just 13 of 24 attempts (54.2 percent).
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) at Little East
Conference foe Western Connecticut State University. Rhode Island College is at
Eastern Connecticut State on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) in a LEC contest.
################################################################################
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Violette Named MWBCA Rookie of the Week
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony)
of the University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team has been
named the Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (MWBCA) co-Rookie of the
Week for the week ending Sunday, January 11, 2009.
Violette had an outstanding week for the nationally-ranked Huskies helping
them to a 3-0 week. The 5-10 forward averaged 13.0 points and 9.0 rebounds over
three games for Southern Maine, including double-doubles in victories over
Husson University and Little East Conference rival Eastern Connecticut State
University.
Violette had 12 points and 10 rebounds in USM’s 81-64 win over Husson to
begin the week and followed that performance with a team-high 17 points and
seven rebounds in a 75-66 win at Colby College. Violette posted her sixth
double-double of the season with 10- points and 10 rebounds in the Huskies 72-64
win over Eastern Connecticut.
Violette is averaging a double-double at 10.2 points and 10.2 rebounds
through 13 games for Southern Maine. Her 10.2 rebounds per game leads Southern
Maine and is tops in the Little East Conference.
Southern Maine faces LEC foe Rhode Island College on the road Tuesday (5:30
p.m.).
################################################################################
Saturday, January 10, 2009
DeMillo, Paradis Lead Huskies Past Eastern Connecticut 72-64 in Overtime
GORHAM, Maine – Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) and
sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) combined to score 13 of 19 points in
the overtime period to lead the nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a 72-64 win over the Eastern Connecticut State University Warriors
Saturday afternoon at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham.
Trailing by three, DeMillo converted her second four-point play of the game
with 3:04 remaining in the extra period to give the Huskies the lead for good
and improve their overall record to 12-1 and 3-0 in the Little East. The loss
snaps an eight-game winning streak for the Warriors, who dip to 9-2 overall and
2-1 in the conference.
DeMillo finished the game with 23 points on 7-for-11 shooting from the
field, including a 4-for-7 mark from three-point range. Two of DeMillo’s three-
pointers were converted into the rare four-point play for the Huskies as she was
fouled and converted the free throw. Paradis scored all 17 of her points in the
second half, including the game-tying basket with 3.2 second remaining in
regulation to force overtime. In the overtime period, Paradis scored seven
points including a period-opening three-pointer and a 4-for-4 mark from the free
throw line. Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) was the
only other USM player in double-figures with her sixth double-double of the
season on 10 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood,
N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) added nine points, seven rebounds and three assists.
Senior guard Nicky Morey (Columbia, Conn./Windham) was outstanding from the
field for the Warriors scoring 23 points on a 10-for-18 mark from the floor.
Senior center Ashley McFetridge (Canton, Conn.) added a double-double with 14
points and 10 rebounds, while sophomore guard Jessica Moriarty (East Haven,
Conn.) also chipped in with a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 11
rebounds. Moriarty also had five assists and three steals for the Warriors.
Eastern battled back from an eight point, 43-35, deficit with 8:57 to play
following a jumper from USM’s Violette to take a one point 44-43 lead on the
heels of a 9-0 run. McFetridge scored four points in the run. Both teams
traded baskets and the lead over the next two minutes and 13 seconds, before
senior forward Kate Brunet (Bristol, Conn./Bristol Eastern) gave the Warriors a
three-point, 50-47 lead on her only three-point field goal of the game.
However, Eastern was unable to hang on to the lead as USM’s DeMillo sank one of
two free throws and Paradis hit a runner in the paint to force the overtime as
the Warriors misfired on their next two possessions.
With the score tied at 56 after 45 seconds in overtime, the Warriors to a
three-point lead, 59-56, on a free throw and a steal and a layup from Moriarty
with 3:20 to play. DeMillo then shot her team back into the lead sinking her
fourth three-pointer of the game while being fouled late into the shot clock for
a 60-59 USM lead with 3:04 on the clock. Southern Maine never relinquished the
lead following DeMillo’s four-point swing, outscoring Eastern 12-5 down the
stretch.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting 36.4 percent (20-of-55) from the
field, 37.5 percent (6-for-16) from three-point range and a solid 86.7 percent
(26-for-30) from the free throw line. Eastern Connecticut finished the game
with a 37.5 percent (24-for-64) mark from the field, 30.0 percent (3-for-10)
from three-point range and 54.2 percent (13-for-24) from the free throw line.
Southern Maine travels to Rhode Island College on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.) for
an LEC game. Eastern Connecticut hosts UMass Dartmouth on the same date and
time.
################################################################################
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Violette Leads Southern Maine Past Colby 75-66
WATERVILLE, Maine – Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield,
Maine/Cony) led four players in double-figures with 17 points and seven rebounds
as the nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine Huskies overcame a
sluggish shooting night to defeat the Colby College Mules 75-66 in a non-
conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at Alfond Gymnasium in
Waterville, Maine.
The win is the third straight for the Huskies who improve to 11-1 on the
season. The loss was the first of the season for the Mules at home and dips
their record to 6-3 overall.
Violette was an impressive 7-for-13 from the field en route to her team-
high total. Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) added
16 points, six rebounds and three steals and junior guard Nicole Paradis
(Skowhegan, Maine) tossed in 11 points to go along with five assists and two
steals. Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) added 10 points and a team-
high six assists.
Freshman forward Julianne Kowalski (Montville, N.J.) led all scorers with
21 points for the Mules. Kowalski was 10-for-14 from the floor. Sophomore
forward Alison Cappelloni (Sudbury, Mass./Lincoln-Sudbury) added 17 points on 7-
for-14 shooting, while junior guard Sam Allen (Bridgton, Maine/Lake Region)
netted 11 points.
Southern Maine rallied from a five-point first half deficit to take a
narrow 36-34 lead at the break. Trailing 30-25 with 5:31 to play in the opening
stanza USM outscored the Mules 11-4 to take the lead. Violette, Kent and
Paradis shouldered the scoring in the first half for the Huskies tallying nine,
eight and seven points a piece. Kent scored six of her points in the 11-4 run,
canning back-to-back three-pointers.
Both teams battled back and forth in the opening minutes of the second
half and the score was tied at 40-40 with 17:56 to play, before USM rattled off
an 8-0 run to take the lead for good. DeMillo sank a three-pointer to key the
run and was followed by back-to-back layups from Violette before junior forward
Ruthie Briggs (Springvale, Maine/Sanford) made one of two free throws to cap the
run.
USM took its largest lead of the game, 61-48, with 7:34 to play on a layup
from junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) before the
Mules cut the lead to five over the next four minutes. Colby outscored USM 13-6
to pull to within 67-62 of the Huskies on a traditional three-point play from
Kowalksi on a lay-up and a free throw with 3:20 on the clock. However, USM’s
Johnson netted a layup and Kent converted a pair of free throws to give the
Huskies a 71-62 lead with 1:24 to play. Johnson finished the game with nine
points and a team-high eight rebounds. Southern Maine sealed the win making
four of four free throws down the stretch.
Colby finished the game shooting 50.9 percent (28-for-55) and limited
Southern Maine to a sub-par 35.3 percent (24-for-68) effort, but the Huskies
forced the Mules into 27 turnovers and held a significant advantage at the free
throw line. USM finished the game 20-for-27 (81.5 percent) from the charity
stripe compared to a 5-for-8 mark for Colby.
Southern Maine hosts Little East Conference rival Eastern Connecticut
State University on Saturday (1:00 p.m.). Colby College returns to action on
Friday (7:00 p.m.) at Husson University.
################################################################################
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Kent Earns D3Hoops.Com Team of the Week Honor
GORHAM, Maine – University of Southern Maine women’s basketball senior
guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) earned her third honor of
the week with her selection to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week. Recently named
the Little East Conference (LEC) and Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches
Association (MWBCA) Player of the Week for the week ending Sunday, January 4,
2009, Kent’s selection to the D3hoops.com Team of the Week was announced late
Tuesday night by Pat Coleman.
The 5-9 captain led the nationally-ranked Huskies in a 1-1 week at the
Texas Challenge Tournament in San Antonio, Texas averaging 25.0 points, 7.0
rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5 steals per game while reaching the 1000-point
milestone in her career. Against Mary Hardin-Baylor, Kent narrowly missed out
on a triple double with 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the Huskies’
first loss of the season.
Against Trinity (Texas), Kent again led the Huskies in scoring notching 24
points, grabbing four rebounds and collecting four steals in a 79-66 win. Kent
tallied her 1000th career point on a pair of free throws in the second half and
become the 18th player in USM history to score 1000 career points.
A 2008 second team D3hoops.com All-Region selection, Kent leads the
Huskies in scoring and assists averaging 17.2 points and 2.7 assists per game.
She is the team’s second leading rebounder averaging 6.2 caroms per game and has
a solid 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.
As a junior Kent earned numerous honors and was named the MWBCA Player of
the Year as well as earning first team ECAC, MWBCA and Little East Conference
honors. Kent was also honored for her work in the classroom earning CoSIDA
Academic All-District One third team recognition.
With 1,024 career points, Kent is currently 17th all-time in USM record
books in points scored in a career. She is fifth in career three-point field
goals with 134 through 94 career games and is the current leader in career
three-point field goal percentage at 42.4 percent (134-for-316).
Southern Maine is 10-1 overall and 2-0 in the Little East Conference. The
Huskies return to action on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.) at Colby College for a non-
conference game.
################################################################################
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Southern Maine’s Kent Named LEC and MWBCA Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown) of
the nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball
team has been named the Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and Little
East Conference player of the week for the week ending Sunday, January 4, 2009.
It is the second time this season that Kent has earned the honor.
The 5-9 guard averaged 25.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.5
steals in a 1-1 week at the Texas Challenge Tournament in San Antonio, Texas for
the Huskies. The senior captain shot 7-for-17 from beyond the arc and connected
on 15 of her 16 free throw attempts in Southern Maine’s contest against Mary
Hardin-Baylor. Kent had 26 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in the
Huskies’ first loss of the season. In the second game of the tournament, Kent
scored 24 points and grabbed four rebounds while collecting four steals in USM’s
79-66 win over Trinity (Texas). En route to her 24 points in the win, Kent
became the Huskies’ 18th player in program history to score 1000 career points.
A 2008 second team D3hoops.com All-Region selection, Kent leads the Huskies
in scoring and assists averaging 17.2 points and 2.7 assists per game. She is
the team’s second leading rebounder averaging 6.2 caroms per game and has a
solid 2.0 assist-to-turnover ratio.
As a junior Kent earned numerous honors and was named the MWBCA Player of
the Year as well as earning first team ECAC, MWBCA and Little East Conference
honors. Kent was also honored for her work in the classroom earning CoSIDA
Academic All-District One third team recognition.
With 1,024 career points, Kent is currently 17th all-time in USM record
books in points scored in a career. She is fifth in career three-point field
goals with 134 through 94 career games and is the current leader in career
three-point field goal percentage at 42.4 percent (134-for-316).
Southern Maine is 10-1 overall and 2-0 in the Little East Conference. The
Huskies return to action on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.) at Colby College for a non-
conference game.
################################################################################
Monday, January 5, 2008
Balanced Huskies Overthrow Husson 81-64
GORHAM, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) scored a game-high 21 points to lead a balanced attack as the
nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine Huskies placed four players in
double-figures en route to a 81-64 win over the Husson University Eagles in a
non-conference women’s basketball game Monday night at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham,
Maine.
Kent was 7-for-16 from the field and 3-for-6 from three-point range to pace
the Huskies to their second consecutive win and improve their record to 10-1.
Husson falls to 3-6 with the loss.
Kent, who was honored prior to the game for scoring her 1000th career
point, added five rebounds and four assists to help USM to its highest point
total of the season. Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) added 16
points and four assists on a stellar shooting performance finishing 7-for-9 from
the field. Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) recorded
her fifth double-double of the season with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while
junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) chipped in with 10
points.
Husson senior forward Shelby Bradford (Lee, Maine) led the Eagles with a
double-double with 18 points and a game-high 13 rebounds. Bradford finished the
game shooting an impressive 7-for-15 from the field while grabbing eight
offensive rebounds. Senior guard Jenny Rollins (Corinth, Maine) was the only
other Husson player in double-figures with 11 points, while freshman guard
Bethany Sevey (Skowhegan, Maine) chipped in with seven points.
Ahead by 10, 55-45, with 13:42 to play following a layup from Husson’s
Bradford, Southern Maine outscored the Eagles 11-1 over the next four and a half
minutes to take a 20-point, 66-46 lead. The Huskies’ received scoring
contributions from four different players in the run, including four points from
Violette and three from Kent. Husson was unable to get any closer than 17
points the rest of the way and USM led by as many 22 points en route to the win.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting 44.9 percent (31-for-69) from the
field and 50.0 percent from three-point range (7-for-14). Kent led the way for
USM beyond-the-arc with three three-pointers, while USM freshman Nicole Garland
(Portland, Maine/Deering) added a pair.
Husson shot 38.7 percent (24-for-62) from the field and was hampered by 21
turnovers. Southern Maine committed just 10
Southern Maine returns to action on the road on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.)
against the Colby College Mules. Colby is 6-2 heading into the game. Husson
University also hosts Colby College in its next contest on Friday (7:00 p.m.).
################################################################################
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Southern Maine Trounces Trinity 79-66
Kent Scores 1000th Career Point
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) scored 24 points, and notched her 1000th career point, to lead five
players in double-figures as the nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine
Huskies defeated the Trinity University Tigers 79-66 Tuesday night in the final
game of the Texas Challenge Tournament hosted by Trinity at Sams Gymnasium in
San Antonio, Texas.
With the win, Southern Maine rebounds from its first loss of the season to
improve to 9-1 overall. The loss is the second straight for the Tigers who dip
to 7-3 on the season.
Kent was 7-for-18 from the field and 4-for-8 from three-point range to lead
a balanced attack for the Huskies. Kent became the 18th player in USM history
to score 1000 career points when she notched her 21st point of the game in the
second half on a pair of free throws.
Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) added 19 points, including
12 in the second half. Junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury,
Conn./Simsbury) added 13 points, while sophomore forward Kristi Violette
(Readfield, Maine/Cony) tossed in 12 points and 16 rebounds to notch her fourth
double-double of the season. Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine)
chipped in with 11 points.
Sophomore guard Danielle Hubenak (San Antonio, Texas/Churchill) drained six
three-pointers to lead all scorers with 27 points. Freshman guard Abby Dietert
(Cibolo, Texas/Bryon P. Steele) added 12 points and senior forward Krista Prato
Matthews (Davis, Calif.) recorded a double-double with 11 points and a game-high
20 rebounds.
Despite leading 49-37 at the break, USM had to fight off a comeback bid
from the Tigers. Ahead 60-53 following an offensive rebound and a lay-up from
Violette with 12:30 to play, USM found itself tied with Trinity, 62-62,
following a 9-2 run by the Tigers. Dietert scored four points in the run, while
Hubenak nailed the tying three-pointer to pull her team back into the game.
Southern Maine countered quickly however rattling off a 11-2 run. DeMillo
and Kent sank back-to-back three-pointers for a speedy six-point swing which was
interrupted by a jumper in the paint from sophomore guard Lauren Hickey (Boerne,
Texas). DeMillo netted her second three-pointer in short order and was followed
by a driving lay-up from Paradis for a 73-64 USM lead with 4:23 on the clock.
Both teams were scoreless over the next three minutes and twenty-five
seconds as USM chose to run down the clock, while Trinity misfired on its next
four possessions. Forced to foul, Trinity put Southern Maine’s Paradis on the
line three times in the final minute of action and Paradis finished 6-for-6 down
the stretch to seal the win.
USM finished the game shooting 43.1 percent (25-for-58) from the floor.
Trinity shot 49.1 percent (27-for-55) from the field, but was hampered by 23
turnovers. The Huskies also held a decisive advantage on the free throw line
sinking 22-of-25 attempts (88.0 percent), led by Paradis’ 7-for-7 effort and
Kent’s 6-for-6 mark. Trinity went to the charity stripe nine times making five
attempts (55.6 percent).
Southern Maine returns home for its next contest on Monday (7:00 p.m.)
against Husson University. Trinity University hosts Millsaps College on Friday
(8:00 p.m. CST) in its next contest.
################################################################################
Monday, December 29, 2008
Mary Hardin-Baylor Upends Southern Maine 82-73
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Sophomore center Landi Thompson (Austin, Texas) scored a
team-high 18 points to lead the Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders to a 82-73 win over
the nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine Huskies in the first game of
the Texas Challenge Tournament hosted Monday evening at Trinity University’s
Sams Gymnasium in San Antonio, Texas.
With the win the Crusaders improve to 4-3 overall. The loss snaps the
Huskies eight-game winning streaking and puts their record at 8-1 overall.
Thompson was 8-for-13 from the field to lead Mary Hardin-Baylor. Junior
guard Kallie White (Kingsland, Texas) added 15 points for the Crusaders while
junior guard Jessica Kelly (Hewitt, Texas) tossed in 10 points.
Southern Maine senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy)
led all scorers with 26 points. The 5-9 guard posted a double-double with 10
rebounds and added seven assists. Junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury,
Conn./Simsbury) scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Huskies and
sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) chipped in with 15
points and seven rebounds.
Trailing 37-31 at the half, the Crusaders shot a blazing 55.6 percent (20-
for-36) to outscore Southern Maine 51-36 in the second stanza. The Crusaders
scored the first six points of the second half on a jumper from Thompson and
back-to-back fast-break layups from White and sophomore guard Caitlin Barganier
(Academy, Texas) to knot the score up at 37-37 with 18:46 to play.
The two teams flipped flopped scores over the next three minutes before the
Crusaders took the lead for good, 41-39, with 15:19 to play on a jumper in the
paint from Barganier.
Southern Maine stayed within a two possessions of the Crusaders and trailed
by a point, 50-49, with 10:47 on one of three three-point field goals from Kent,
but Mary Hardin-Baylor outscored USM 16-8 over the next three minutes and
thirty-nine seconds to take a controlling 66-57 lead with 6:08 on the clock.
From there Southern Maine was unable to get closer than six points the rest of
the way and the Crusaders sealed the win.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting 45.8 percent (27-for-59) from the
field, but was hampered by 18 turnovers in the game, including 14 in the second
half. The Crusaders finished with a 48.5 percent effort (32-for-66) from the
floor.
Southern Maine faces host Trinity University on Tuesday (8:00 p.m EST) in
its second game of the tournament. Mary Hardin-Baylor will play Baldwin Wallace
College on Tuesday (6:00 p.m EST).
################################################################################
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Huskies Build Up Large Lead, Coasts to 61-48 Win Over UMass Dartmouth
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Junior Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) tied for
game-high scoring honors netting 11 points in a balanced attack as the
nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team
coasted to a 61-48 win over the UMass Dartmouth Corsairs Saturday afternoon in
Little East Conference action at the Tripp Athletic Center in North Dartmouth,
Mass.
With the win Southern Maine remains undefeated on the season to improve to
8-0 and moves to 2-0 in the Little East Conference. The Huskies handed UMass
Dartmouth their sixth consecutive loss. The Corsairs are 2-7 overall and 0-2 in
the LEC.
Paradis was 5-for-11 from the field as 11 of the Huskies 13 players scored
at least for points. Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) added nine points, eight rebounds and three assists, while junior
forward Ruthie Briggs (Sanford, Maine) tossed in eight points off of the bench
finishing the game 4-for-4 from the field. Sophomore Kristi Violette
(Readfield, Maine/Cony) added seven points and eight rebounds to help USM to a
decisive 44-30 advantage on the glass.
UMass Dartmouth senior guard Sara Gaspar (Dartmouth, Mass.) scored 11
points to lead four Corsairs in double figures. Senior forward Vicki
Andruszkiewicz (Danvers, Mass.), junior forward Kaylin Nelson (New Bedford,
Mass.) and freshman guard Samantha Hodgson (Taunton, Mass.) each scored 10
points.
Paced by Paradis’ nine first half points, USM rolled out to a 34-21 lead at
the break. The Huskies scored the first seven points of the contest and never
trailed in the game.
In the second half, Southern Maine came out on fire outscoring the Corsairs
13-4 in the first five minutes to open up a commanding 47-25 lead with 14:41 on
the clock. The Huskies received scoring contributions from five different
players in the opening run, including five points from Kent.
Southern Maine took its largest lead of the game, 24 points, with 12:25 to
play on a lay-up from freshman forward Courtney Cochran (Waite, Maine/Woodland).
The Huskies led by 17 points, 58-41, with just over five minutes to play, before
the Corsairs were able to trim the USM advantage with a 7-1 run down the
stretch.
Southern Maine is off for the next two weeks and will return to action at
the Texas Challenge hosted by Trinity College in San Antonia, Texas. The
Huskies will face Mary Hardin Baylor on Monday, December 29 at 6:00 p.m. EST.
UMass Dartmouth returns to action in the New Year when it travels to Endicott
College on Monday, January 5 at 7:00 p.m.
################################################################################
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Huskies Battle Past Salem State 59-32
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) scored a game-high
12 points and the nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine Huskies
overcame a spotty shooting performance to defeat the Salem State College Vikings
59-32 in a non-conference women’s basketball game Wednesday night at Hill
Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.
With the win the Huskies remained undefeated and improve to 7-0 on the
season. The Vikings fall to 3-4 with the loss. It is the lowest point total
for the Vikings against Southern Maine in their 32-games series which dates back
to the 1981 season. USM leads the series 20-13.
DeMillo was 5-for-10 from the field en route to her game-high 12 points as
the Huskies finished the game shooting a below average 40.4 percent (21-for-52)
from the field. Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) added
her third double-double of the season with 10 points and a game-high 12 rebounds
to help the Huskies to a commanding 42-24 edge on the boards. Junior forward
Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) added eight points and eight
rebounds on a 4-for-6 effort from the field, while passing off a career-best
three assists.
Salem State junior forward Manise Louinord (Lynn, Mass./Lynn Classical) led
her team with 10 points making 5-for-6 from the field. Freshman guard Breanna
Comeau (Amesbury, Mass.) added eight points.
Despite cold shooting from the field, Southern Maine scored the first eight
points of the game and cruised to a 25-13 lead at the break. DeMillo paced USM
in the first half netting seven of her 12 points.
Salem State trimmed the USM lead to 10 three times in the opening eight
minutes of the second half, as Louinard was able to split the Husky defense for
slashing layups, scoring eight of her 10 points to begin the second half.
Louinord brought the Vikings to within 10, 36-26, with 12:40 to play when she
converted her fourth layup of the second half.
However, USM rattled off nine unanswered points over the next two minutes
and 40 seconds to lead, 45-26, with 9:09 on the clock and put the Vikings away.
Southern Maine freshman guard Renee Nicholas (Sebago, Maine/Lake Region) started
the run with a lay-up and DeMillo capped the Husky charge with one of her two
three-point field goals of the night. From there the Huskies continued to roll
en route to the win.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) at LEC opponent
UMass Dartmouth. Salem State travels to Clark University on Saturday (1:00
p.m.) for its next contest.
################################################################################
Monday, December 8, 2008
Southern Maine’s Kent Named Little East Conference and Maine Women’s Basketball
Coaches Association Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine – Senior guard Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) of the nationally-ranked University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s
basketball team has named the Little East Conference and Maine Women’s
Basketball Coaches Association (MWBCA) Player of the Week for the week ending
Sunday, December 7, 2008. It is the first time this season that Kent has earned
the honor from the Little East or MWBCA this season.
In a 2-0 week for the 25th-ranked Huskies, Kent averaged 20.5 points, 4.0
rebounds and 1.0 assists, while shooting 59.2 percent (16-for-27) from the field
and 50.0 percent (6-for-12) from three-point range. USM earned victories over
22nd-ranked Bowdoin College, 75-72, and Little East Conference foe Keene State
College, 61-47. Against Bowdoin College, Kent scored a season-high 24 points on
a 9-for-14 effort from the field, including a 4-for-6 mark from three-point
range. Kent followed season-high total with 17 points and five rebounds in
USM’s win over Keene State.
Kent is the Huskies leading scorer averaging 17.3 points per game, shooting
44.7 percent (34-for-76) and 37.9 percent (11-for-29) from three-point range.
Kent is also the team’s third-leading rebounder averaging 6.0 caroms per game
and is second on the team in assists averaging 2.5 per game.
Southern Maine is currently 6-0 overall and 1-0 in the Little East. The
Huskies are in action on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.) at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham when
they host Salem State College for a non-conference game.
################################################################################
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Southern Maine Slides Past Keene State 61-47
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) scored a team-high
18 points to lead three players in double figures as the nationally-ranked
University of Southern Maine Huskies defeated the Keene State College Owls 61-47
in a Little East Conference women’s basketball game Saturday afternoon at Hill
Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.
With the win, Southern Maine remains undefeated and improves to 6-0 overall
and begins its LEC season with a 1-0 mark. Suffering their second straight
loss, the Owls drop to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in the LEC.
DeMillo knocked down a trio of three-pointers and finished the game
shooting 6-for-12 from the field to lead the Huskies with 18 points. The 5-7
guard added four rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals. Senior guard
Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) tossed in 17 points on a 7-for-
13 mark from the floor and junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury,
Conn./Simsbury) notched her second double-double of the season with 10 points
and a game-high 12 rebounds.
Keene State junior forward Nicole Simmler (Oxford, Mass.) led the Owls with
18 points and 10 rebounds. Simmler was 7-for-12 from the field and 2-for-4 from
three-point range. Senior guard Michele Boudreau (Readsboro, Vt./Drury) was the
only other Owl player in double figures chipping in with 10 points.
The Huskies were able to overcome a shaky shooting effort and a sub-par
mark from the free throw line to defeat the Owls. Southern Maine shot 38.6
percent (22-for-57) from the field and connected on just 11-of-17 (64.7 percent)
from the charity stripe. However, the Owls also struggled to zero in on the
basket shooting just 27.0 percent (17-for-63) from the floor and 60.0 percent
(9-for-15) from the free throw line.
Tied at five points each through the first three minutes of action, USM
strung together a 13-0 run to lead the Owls 18-5 with 11:39 left in the first
half and cruised the rest of the way en route to the win. A pair of DeMillo
baskets served as bookends to the run. DeMillo keyed the run sinking a three
and then put away a layup off an assist from Kent to close out the scoring
spurt. Kent and Johnson each chipped in with four points in the run.
Keene State chipped into the USM lead to bring it to less than ten points
four times during the half, but each time the Huskies answered with a timely
score. A pair of Simmler free throws with 19 seconds remaining trimmed the USM
margin to 31-22, but DeMillo banked home a long three pointer as time expired
for a 34-22 Husky lead at the break.
In the second half KSC pulled to within five of USM, 47-42, with 9:43 on
the clock on the heels of a 9-2 run. Trailing 45-33 with 14:03 to play, the Owls
received baskets from four different players, including a three from Simmler.
After a short jumper from Kent, the Owls ran off six consecutive points from
Degou, freshmen guards Amanda Bacher (Concord, N.H./New Hampton Prep) and Sarah
Laudano (North Haven, Conn./North Haven) to pull to within two possession of
USM. However, Southern Maine’s Kent slammed the door shut on any thought of
Keene State comeback when she hit a three from the left side. USM scored the
game’s next six points following Kent’s three to regain a 14-point edge, with
4:03 to play and never led by less than 11 for the remainder of the game.
Southern Maine returns to action on Wednesday (7:00 p.m.) when it plays
traditional rival Salem State College in a non-conference game. Keene State is
in action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) when it travels to Rhode Island College for a
Little East Conference game.
################################################################################
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Huskies Hang on to Defeat Bowdoin 75-72
BRUNSWICK, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) scored a season-high 24 points to lead the University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a nail-biting 75-72 win over the Bowdoin College Polar Bears in a
battle between two nationally-ranked women’s basketball teams Tuesday night at
Morrell Gymnasium.
The 25th-ranked Huskies remained undefeated at 5-0 with the win. It is
Southern Maine’s first win at Bowdoin’s Morrell Gymnasium since 1998. The loss
is the second of the season for the Polar Bears, ranked 23rd in the latest
D3hoops.com Poll, to dip to 3-2 overall.
Kent scored 10 of the Huskies first 12 points in the first half to finish
with her season-high total. The 5-9 forward was 9-of-14 from the field and 4-
of-6 from three-point range to lead all scorers. Junior guard Nicole Paradis
(Skowhegan, Maine) and sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony)
each scored 14 points for the Huskies. Violette narrowly missed out on a
double-double grabbing a team-leading nine rebounds, while Paradis passed off
three assists.
Senior guard Maria Noucas (Portsmouth, N.H.) led the Polar Bears with 18
points, including five three-pointers. Junior guard Sabrina Cote (Dexter,
Maine) and sophomore guard Katie Bergeron (Bradley, Maine/Old Town) combined for
25 points. Cote tallied 13 points, while Bergeron chipped in with 12.
After building up a solid 31-19 lead at the break, Southern Maine withstood
a furious rally from the Polar Bears in the second half as Bowdoin shot a
blazing 61.5 percent (16-for-26) in the second stanza. Noucas drained all five
of her three-pointers and scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half to lead
the Polar Bears.
Trailing by eight points, 53-45 with 10:26 to play, following a three-
pointer from Kent, Bowdoin outscored USM over the next three and a half minutes
to take its first lead of the game since the opening 30 seconds of the game, 56-
55, with 7:01 on the clock. Noucas capped the Polar Bears run with a three-
pointer to put her team ahead while junior forward Caitlin Hynes (Owl’s Head,
Maine/Rockland) scored five of her eight points in the run.
Over the next six minutes the lead changed hands between Huskies and the
Polar Bears before a pair of free throws from Bergeron knotted the score up at
68-68 with 1:00 on the clock. Violette gave Southern Maine the lead for good on
its next possession converting a lay-up off of a feed from Paradis with 42
seconds to play. Ahead 70-68, the Huskies sealed the win at the free throw line
5-of-6 down the stretch.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) when it hosts
Little East Conference rival Keene State College. Bowdoin hosts Colby College
on Saturday (7:00 p.m.) in a non-conference game.
################################################################################
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Southern Maine to Host Gary Fifield Day on Saturday
Huskies Face Keene State College in Little East Conference Opener (1 p.m.)
GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics
will honor former women’s basketball coach Gary Fifield at halftime of the
Huskies Little East Conference game against the Keene State College Owls on
Saturday, December 6 (1:00 p.m.).
Fifield, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division III Women’s
Basketball, retired as the Huskies’ women’s basketball coach after 21 successful
years of service to the University. Fifield, who has assumed the role of
Associate Athletic Director, finished his remarkable career with a record of
541-86 (.863 winning percentage). During his tenure, Fifield led the Huskies to
the NCAA National Tournament 20 of 21 years, participating in the NCAA Division
III Final Four five times (1988, 1998, 2000, 2005 and 2006) and helped continue
the team’s record-setting 20-win streak, which currently stands at 28 straight
years. In the Little East Conference, Fifield’s teams dominated their
competition capturing the LEC regular season crown 19 times and winning the LEC
tournament championship on 17 occasions. Earning the LEC Coach of the Year
honor 13 times, Fifield’s led USM to a staggering 241-20 record against LEC
opponents in regular season play and a 48-4 mark in tournament competition.
Among his numerous honors, Fifield was named the WBCA National Coach of the
Year in 2005. He was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in
2003 and was chosen to coach at the US Olympic Festival in 1993.
The Huskies are scheduled to host a Little East Conference basketball
double header against rival Keene State College on Saturday. The women’s game
will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 3:00 p.m. Fifield will be
honored with a special halftime presentation at center court of Warren G. Hill
Gymnasium at approximately 1:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the women’s game, the
celebration will continue with a reception in the Alumni Reception Center.
December 6, 2008 - Gary Fifield Day at Hill Gymnasium (1:00 p.m.)
################################################################################
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
DeMillo Named MWBCA Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team has been named the
Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Assocation (MWBCA) Player of the Week for the
week ending November 23, 2008. It is the first time in her career that the 5-7
guard has earned a player of the week honor. The announcement was made
Wednesday by Craig Dagan, the MWBCA Publicist.
Shooting 55 percent (16-for-29) from the field and 56 percent (13-for-26)
from three-point, DeMillo helped USM to a 3-0 week with wins over the University
of New England, University of Maine at Farmington and Norwich University.
Averaging 17.0 points, 1.7 assists and four steals per game, DeMillo tossed in a
career-best 25 points in the Huskies 76-57 win over UMaine Farmington in the
opening round of the USM Tip Off Tournament. In USM’s 64-61 win over Norwich,
DeMillo tossed in 15 points and hustled her way to four steals. DeMillo was
named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scoring 40 points in two games to
lead the Huskies to the championship. In Southern Maine’s season-opening win
against UNE, DeMillo turned in a steady performance netting 11 points on a 4-
for-8 mark from the field including three three-pointers to pair with two
assists and a game-high six steals.
Through four games this season, DeMillo is the Huskies’ second leading
scorer averaging 13.3 points, 3.0 steals, 2.9 assist and 1.3 rebounds per game.
DeMillo is shooting a solid 44.4 percent (16-for-36) from the field and 48.1
percent (13-for-27) from three-point range.
Southern Maine returns to action on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) at Bowdoin College
for a non-conference game.
################################################################################
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Southern Maine Beats Bates 67-57
LEWISTON, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) scored a game-high 17 points to lead the University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a 67-57 win over the Bates College Bobcats in a non-conference
women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Alumni Gymnasium in Lewiston, Maine.
Kent led four USM players in double-figures as the Huskies earned their
fourth straight win to remain undefeated at 4-0. The loss was the first of the
season for Bates dropping its record to 3-1 overall.
Kent was a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe en route to her 17
points as the Huskies enjoyed tremendous success at the free throw line
finishing the game 19-for-22 from the foul line (86.4 percent). Junior forward
Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) recorded career-high totals with
15 points and nine rebounds shooting an outstanding 7-for-12 from the floor.
Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) chipped in with 12 points on a 5-
for-7 effort from the field, while sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield,
Maine/Cony) added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Bates senior forward Val Beckwith (Woburn, Mass.) led the Bobcats with 14
points on a 6-for-9 mark from the floor, including a pair of three-pointers.
Sophomore forward Christine McCall (Lowell, Mass.) tossed in 10 points off of
the bench as the only other Bates player in double figures. Junior guard Kellie
Goodridge (Merrimack, N.H.) turned in a steady performance for the Bobcats with
nine points, a team-high seven rebounds and four assists.
Ahead by a point, 54-53, with 7:29 to play in the second half Southern
Maine outscored Bates 13-4 down the stretch to pull out the win. A lay-up from
Bates’ sophomore forward Brittany French (Auburn, Maine/Brittany French) to pull
the Bobcats to within one, both teams traded baskets back and forth with Johnson
scoring on a short jumper followed by a lay-up from Goodridge. The Huskies
scored the next four points on a jumper from Paradis and two free throws from
Kent to lead 60-55 with 4:00 on the clock. Beckwith countered for the Bobcats
with a lay-up to trim the USM lead to 60-57 with 3:46 remaining but it was the
final points of the game for Bates as the Huskies forced the Bobcats to misfire
on their next five shots.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting a solid 45.1 percent (23-for-51)
from the field, but struggled from three-point range connecting on just 2-of-11
from beyond the arc. Bates shot 41.1 percent (23-for-56) from the floor for the
game; however, the Bobcats connected on just 31.0 percent (9-for-29) of its
field goals in the second half. The Huskies also enjoyed a 39-25 advantage on
the boards.
Southern Maine returns to action on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) at Bowdoin College.
Bates travels to Husson University on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.).
################################################################################
Saturday, November 22, 2008
USM Tip Off Tournament Championship Game
Huskies Hang On to Defeat Norwich 64-61
GORHAM, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the
University of Southern Maine to a 64-61 win over the Norwich University Cadets
in the championship game of the 2008 USM Tip Off Tournament Saturday afternoon
at Warren Hill Gymnasium in Gorham.
Despite allowing a 17-point second half lead to be whittled away to just
basket, the Huskies were able to overcome their shooting woes and hang on for
their third straight win of the season to improve to 3-0. The loss drops the
Cadets’ record to 2-1.
Kent and sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) each were named to the
all-tournament team, while DeMillo was selected as the tournament’s Most
Valuable Player. DeMillo, who joined Kent in double-figures scoring with 15
points, averaged 20 points per game during the two-day tournament. Norwich
junior guard Erica Rate (Weymouth, Mass.) and senior guard Kayleigh Shappy
(Burlington, Vt.) were also selected to the all-tournament team. Rate led the
Cadets in scoring against USM with 12 points, while Shappy played a solid floor
game at the point guard position with eight points, three assists and two
steals. Rounding out the all-tournament team were Husson’s Shelby Bradford
(Lee, Maine) and UMaine Farmington’s Erin Porter (Bangor, Maine).
Leading 33-25 at the break, USM outscored Norwich 20-8 in the opening eight
minutes of the second half to open up a 17-point, 53-36, and looked well on
their way to victory with 12:27 to play. DeMillo keyed the Southern Maine
offensive outburst draining three three-pointers in a row for a quick nine
points. Kent added five of the Huskies’ points in the run, while sophomore
forward Kristin Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) scored four points and junior
forward Ruthie Briggs (Springvale, Maine/Sanford) added a lay-up.
However with both teams struggling to connect from the field, shooting in
the 30th percentage range, the Cadets were able to claw their way back into the
game. Trailing by 16 after a three-pointer from USM junior guard Nicole Paradis
(Skowhegan, Maine) with 9:43 on the clock, the Cadets went on a 15-3 run to pull
to within four, 60-56, with 2:36 to play. Receiving scoring contributions from
four different players in the run, Norwich’s Rate tallied six of the Cadet’s 15
points with a pair of long-range three-point strikes.
A pair of free throws from Kent returned the Huskies lead to six, 62-56,
with 1:43 remaining, before Norwich outscored USM 5-1 on layups from Shappy and
junior forward Jess Jaggars (Vergennes, Vt./Vergennes Union) and one of two free
throws from freshman forward Tara Stevenson (Watertown, Conn./Holy Cross) to
pull to with a basket of the Huskies, 63-61, with five seconds to play. Paradis
sunk one of two free throws on the Huskies ensuing possession and Norwich’s
buzzer beater attempt from three-point range failed to connect as USM held on
for the win.
USM finished the game shooting a sub-par 32.7 percent (18-for-55) from the
field and was hampered by 15 turnovers. Norwich shot 39.7 percent (23-for-58)
from the floor, but trailed the Huskies at the free throw line. USM made 21-of-
34 from the charity stripe, while the Cadets made 9-of-14.
Southern Maine returns to action at Bates College on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.).
Norwich is at Middlebury College on the same date (7:00 p.m.)
################################################################################
Saturday, November 22, 2008
USM Tip Off Tournament Consolation Game
UMaine Farmington Overcomes Husson 79-76
GORHAM, Maine – Senior guard Erin Porter (Bangor, Maine) scored a team-
high 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the University of Maine at
Farmington Beavers to a 79-76 come-from-behind win over the Husson University
Eagles Saturday afternoon in the consolation game of the 2008 USM Tip-Off
Tournament at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham.
With the win the Beavers improve to 2-1 on the season. Suffering their
second loss in as many games the Eagles drop to 1-2.
Porter, who was named to the all-tournament team, was one of three UMF
players in double figures knocking down 5-of-13 fro the field including a 2-for-
3 mark from three-point range. Junior forward Caitlyn Laflin (Farmingdale,
Maine/Hall-Dale) added a double-double scoring 16 points and snagging 10
rebounds, while senior guard Amanda Byrne (Winslow, Maine) chipped in with 11
points, eight assists and four steals.
Husson senior forward Shelby Bradford (Lee, Maine) led the Eagles with a
game-high 18 points earning a double-double with 10 boards. Bradford also
earned all-tournament honors averaging 15 points and nine rebounds over two
games. Senior guard Jenny Rollins (Corinth, Maine) tossed in 14 points on a 5-
for-11 effort from the floor and sophomore center Kelsy Lavertu (Howland, Maine)
sparked Husson off the bench with 12 points and five rebounds.
Trailing Husson by seven, 72-65, with 4:45 left in regulation following a
short jumper from Husson’s Bradford, the Beavers rattled off a 10-2 run over the
next two minutes and 15 seconds to pull ahead of the Eagles 75-74 with 2:23 on
the clock. Byrne ignited the UMF rally converting a three-point play with a
lay-up and a free throw before capping the run with an open court steal and a
lay-up.
UMF’s Porter put the Beavers ahead by three, 77-74, with 1:22 on the clock
sinking two free throws, before Husson’s Lavertu countered with a lay-up to
trail by a point with 59 seconds remaining. Fouled on the play, Lavertu
misfired on the potential game-tying free throw and UMF was able to keep its
next play alive with a pair of offensive rebounds from Laflin to run out the
clock. The Beavers’ Byrne sealed the win with a pair of free throws with two
seconds remaining for the 79-76 final.
Joining Bradford and Porter on the all-tournament team were Norwich
University’s Erica Rate (Weymouth, Mass.) and Kayleigh Shappy (Burlington, Vt.)
and University of Southern Maine’s Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown) and
Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine). DeMillo was named the tournament’s Most Valuable
Player.
Husson returns to action on Tuesday, December 2 when it hosts Bates College
at 7:00 p.m. UMaine Farmington hosts Rivier College on Tuesday, November 25 at
7:30 p.m.
################################################################################
Friday, November 21, 2008
2008 USM Tip Off Tournament Game 2
DeMillo Unloads for Career Best 25 Points as USM Rolls Past UMaine Farmington
76-57
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) connected on
seven three-point field goals to score a career-best 25 points and lead the
University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 76-57 win over the UMaine Farmington
Beavers in the second game of the 2008 USM Tip – Off Tournament Friday night at
Warren Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.
Winning their second game in as many contests, Southern Maine improves to
2-0 overall and will face Norwich University on Saturday (3:00 p.m.) in the
championship game of the tournament. UMaine Farmington evens out at 1-1 with
the loss and will face in-state rival the Husson University Eagles in the
consolation game (1:00 p.m.). Norwich defeated the Eagles 68-54 in the first
game of the tournament.
DeMillo netted 17 of her 25 points in the first half as the Huskies raced
out to a commanding 44-26 lead at the break. The 5-7 guard finished the game
shooting 9-for-13 from the field and 7-for-11 from three point range. Senior
forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) added 13 points and a
game-high seven assists. Junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury,
Conn./Simsbury) and junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) added eight
and seven points respectively.
DeMillo’s seven three-point field goals is second all-time in single game
history at USM. She is tied for second with former USM standouts Mandy King,
Lori Towle and Teel Anderson. Kent holds the single-game record with eight
three-pointers scored in February 2007.
Senior guard Erin Porter (Bangor, Maine) led the Beavers with a team-high
17 points on a 7-for-12 effort from the field, while sophomore guard Ashley
Busque (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) and junior forward Caitlyn Laflin
(Farmingdale, Maine/Hall-Dale) chipped in with 10 points each.
Ahead by seven points, 26-19, Southern Maine outscored the Beavers 18-7
over the final 6:47 of the first half to take control of the game. DeMillo
sparked the run for the Huskies draining one of her five first half three-
pointers of the opening stanza, while Kent tallied seven of her 13 points.
In the second half, Southern Maine continued to pour on the points opening
up a 29-point lead, 60-31, with 15:33 to play. Outscoring UMaine Farmington 14-
5 in the first four and a half minutes of the half, DeMillo again provided the
Huskies with an offensive spark scoring eight points on a pair of three-pointers
and a fast-break lay-up.
UMaine Farmington whittled the USM lead to 13, 68-55, with 2:50 remaining
on a free-throw from Laflin but it was as close as the Beavers would get as the
Huskies closed out the game on a 8-2 run for the 76-57 final.
################################################################################
Friday, November 21, 2008
2008 USM Tip-Off Tournament Game 1
Rate Leads Norwich Past Husson, 68-54
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior guard Erica Rate (Weymouth, Mass.) poured in a
game-high 23 points, including seven three-pointers, to lead Norwich University
past Husson University, 68-54, in a first round game of the USM Tip-Off
Tournament at the Warren Hill Gymnasium Friday night.
The win moves the Cadets (2-0) into Saturday afternoon’s (3:00 p.m.)
championship game against the University of Southern Maine Huskies. The Huskies
punched their ticket into the championship game with a 76-57 victory over the
UMaine Farmington Beavers in Friday night’s second game. The Eagles (1-1) will
take on the Beavers in the consolation game (1:00 p.m.).
Rate connected on 8-of-18 shots from the floor, including 7-of-14 from
beyond the three-point arc, for her 23 points. Senior guard Kayleigh Shappy
(Burlington, Vt.) was the only other Cadet to reach double figures with 10
points coming on a three-pointer and seven free throws.
The Eagles were led by the trio of freshman guard-forward Bree Hanscom
(Mattawamkeag, Maine/Mattanawcook Academy), sophomore guard Noelle Lincoln
(Dixmont, Maine/Nokomis Regional) and senior forward Shelby Bradford (Lee,
Maine/Lee Academy) as each contributed 12 points. Bradford finished the night
with a double-double by also grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds.
The game was nip and tuck throughout with both teams enjoying small leads.
After a basket by Lincoln to tie the score at 46-46 with 8:36 to go, the Cadets
put together a decisive 13-0 run to take command. Rookie forward Tara Stevenson
(Watertown, Conn./Holy Cross) gave the Cadets the lead for good with a basket in
the paint. Two free throws by junior guard Natalie Marchese (Rutland, Vt./Mount
St. Joseph Academy), followed by a pair of three-pointers from Rate pushed the
margin to 10 (56-46) with 6:49 to play. The Eagles hurt their chances missing a
pair of shots and committing three turnovers in five possessions.
Sophomore forward Laurel McWilliams (Swanton, Vt./Missisquoi Valley Union)
continued the Cadets’ surge with a three-point play before Hanscom stopped the
bleeding with a layup. The Cadets got two free throws from freshman guard Kayla
Whitman (Bennington, Vt./Mount Anthony) and a basket from junior guard Ally
Daniels (Concord, N.H.) to gain their biggest lead of the night, 63-48, with
3:41 to play.
The Eagles had the better shooting percentage, hitting 38 percent (23 of
60) of their shots, but were hurt by 25 turnovers. The Cadets made only 33
percent (22 of 66) of their shots, but made 8-of-22 three-point tries and turned
the ball over just 13 times. The Eagles won the battle of the boards, 45-36.
################################################################################
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Paradis Steadies Southern Maine Past UNE 77-57
GORHAM, Maine – Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) exploded
for a career-high 29 points to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to
a 77-57 win over the University of New England Nor’easters in a non-conference
women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Warren G. Hill Gymnasium in Gorham,
Maine.
Winning their season opener for the 18th consecutive season the Huskies
start their 2008-2009 campaign at 1-0. The loss evens the Nor’easters record at
1-1.
Southern Maine shook off a shaky start, leading the Nor’easters narrowly
27-24 at the half, to score 50 points in the second stanza and roll away with
the win. Paradis was 9-for-15 from the field and 3-for-5 from three-point range
to lead all scorers. The 5-4 guard tallied 21 of her career-best total in the
second half, shooting a near perfect 6-for-7 from the field and perfect 8-for-8
from the free throw line to lead four USM players in double figures.
Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) scored 15
points, grabbed eight rebounds and passed off four assists, while sophomore
guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) chipped in with 11 points and a career-best
six steals. Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) notched
her first collegiate double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
University of New England freshman guards Kari Pelletier (South Paris,
Maine/Oxford Hills) and Kelley Paradis (Newport, Maine/Nokomis Regional) each
scored 11 points to pace the Nor’easters. Freshman forwards Margo Russell
(Madison, Maine/Madison Area) and Hillary Laferriere (Veazie, Maine/John Bapst)
both tossed in eight points, while Russell nabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
Leading by five, 40-35, with 13:20 to play, Southern Maine took control of
the game with a 10-0 run over the span of four minutes to pull ahead of the
Nor’easters 50-35. Paradis scored six points in the run, while DeMillo and
junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) each added a
bucket. The Nor’easter were never able to recover from the Huskies surge
managing only to cut their deficit to 13 on a pair of free throws from Pelletier
with 1:51 on the clock.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting 40.6 percent (26-for-64) from the
field and 43.8 percent (7-for-16) from three-point range. The Huskies were also
steady from the free throw line sinking 18-of-22 attempts (81.8 percent). UNE
shot 32.8 percent (19-for-58) from the field, including a 5-for-27 mark from
three-point range.
Southern Maine returns to action on Friday (7:30 p.m.) when it hosts its
USM Tip-Off Tournament. The Huskies will face in-state rival UMaine Farmington
in the late game. UNE will face SUNY-Potsdam on Friday (5:00 p.m.) at the Keene
State College Tournament.
################################################################################
November 12, 2008
Eastern Connecticut Picked To Repeat Women’s Basketball Title
(Courtesy of Jack Holleran, Little East Conference)
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Eastern Connecticut State University has been
chosen as the favorite to capture the Little East Conference women’s basketball
championship after a vote by the conference’s eight head coaches. The Warriors
earned six first place votes and a total of 62 points to sit atop the annual
preseason coaches’ poll for the first time since the 2002 season.
The University of Southern Maine and Western Connecticut State University
each received a first-place tally and 51 total points to share the second
ranking, while Keene State College is fourth with 42 points.
Under the direction of Head Coach Denise Bierly, Eastern Connecticut earned
the program’s third Little East Conference Championship last season, defeating
the Huskies in overtime. The Warriors posted an overall record of 24-5 and
advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the time since 2003. Senior
center Ashley McFetridge (Canton, Conn.) was recently named a D3Hoops.com
Preseason All-America, fourth-team pick after averaging 15.4 points and 8.5
rebounds per game in her junior campaign. Eastern Connecticut returns seven
letter winners and three starters back into the fold. The Warriors will host
Castleton State in their home opener on Nov. 22.
Southern Maine will have a new face patrolling its sideline this season as
Mike McDevitt takes over the reigns of the program after legendary Head Coach
Gary Fifield stepped down this summer. McDevitt is not a stranger to the
collegiate basketball circuit, serving as the St. Joseph’s head coach for 16
seasons before joining the Huskies staff for the past five campaigns. McDevitt
will welcome back two starters and seven letter winners from the 2008 squad that
registered a 25-4 mark. Senior guard Stacy Kent (Northwood, N.H.) is the team’s
top offensive threat, averaging 14.3 points per game in 2008. Southern Maine
will host New England College at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 18.
Head Coach Kim Rybczyk has guided the Colonials to at least 15 wins in the
past three seasons, including 20 victories last season. Western Connecticut
earned a berth to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England
Tournament for the second time in the past three campaigns. Rybczyk returns a
veteran laden team, including four of the five starters and 10 overall letter
winners. The Colonials boast a deep front-court rotation with all three starters
returning, including 2008 D3Hoops.com third-team recipient Stacy Roberts
(Windham, Conn.). Roberts led the team in rebounding (6.8 rpg), while ranking
second in scoring (10.7 ppg). Western Connecticut will make its 2009 debut,
when the Colonials face Trinity College (Conn.) at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15.
Completing the poll in projected order of finish in the regular season
standings are Rhode Island College (33), Plymouth State University (19),
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (16), and University of Massachusetts
Boston (13).
Rk. Institution (First Place Votes) Total Points
1. Eastern Connecticut State (6) 62
2. University of Southern Maine (1) 51
2. Western Connecticut State (1) 51
4. Keene State College 42
5. Rhode Island College 33
6. Plymouth State University 19
7. UMass Dartmouth 16
8. UMass Boston 14
################################################################################
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Kent and Paradis Named USM Women’s Basketball Captains
GORHAM, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) and junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) have been named co-
captains of the 2008-2009 University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s
basketball team. The announcement was made by first-year head coach Mike
McDevitt as the Huskies prepare for their opening game against the University of
New England on Tuesday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m.
“Stacey and Nicole’s veteran leadership will be vital as we progress
throughout the season,” noted McDevitt. “Both athletes are leaders on the court
and off the court. Their outstanding work ethic, dedication and commitment to
team success is an excellent model for our new players to emulate.”
Paradis, a 2008 second team Little East Conference and Maine Women’s
Basketball Coaches Association (MWBCA) selection, returns at the point guard
slot for the Huskies. An accurate shooter, Paradis averaged 6.8 points, 2.0
rebounds and 3.3 assists per game as a sophomore while shooting 45.1 percent
(64-for-142) from the field and 35.4 percent (28-for-79) from three-point range.
Southern Maine’s top returning scorer, Kent earned numerous honors
following her junior season. Averaging 14.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists
and 1.7 steals per game, the 5-9 forward was named to the ECAC Division III New
England, Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and Little East Conference
first team all-conference teams. Shooting an outstanding 48.6 percent (136-for-
280) from the field and 44.2 percent from three-point range (46-for-104), Kent
was accorded D3hoops.com Women’s All-Northeast Region second team honors and was
named the MWBCA Player of the Year.
In three seasons, Kent has collected 813 points, 382 rebounds and 154
assists in 81 career games. She is currently seventh all-time on the USM career
records list with 112 three-pointers made and holds the career record for three-
point field goal percentage at 44.4 percent (112-for-252). In February 2007,
Kent set a single-game record sinking eight three-pointers against University of
Massachusetts Dartmouth.
After Southern Maine’s opening game against the University of New England,
the Huskies will host the USM Tip-Off Tournament. USM will face UMaine
Farmington in the first game (Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.) and will challenge either
Norwich University of Husson University in the second game (Nov. 22, 1:00/3:00
p.m.). The Huskies then close out the month on the road at in-state rival Bates
College (Nov. 25, 5:30 p.m.).
In December, Southern Maine travels rival Bowdoin College (Dec. 2, 7:30
p.m.) before hosting Keene State College in its first Little East Conference
game of the season (Dec. 6, 1:00 p.m.). USM hosts regional foe Salem State
College (Dec. 10, 7:00 p.m.) before traveling to UMass Dartmouth (Dec. 13, 1:00
p.m.) for an LEC contest. Southern Maine will ring in the New Year in Texas as
they travel to San Antonio, Texas to compete in the Alamo Shoot Out. The
Huskies will face Trinity (Texas) (Dec. 29, 2:00) and then will face Mary Hardin
Baylor (Dec. 30, 4:00 p.m.).
Southern Maine hosts Husson College (Jan. 5, 7:00 p.m.) to begin the month
of January and then travels to Colby College (Jan. 7, tba). USM returns to its
conference games hosting Eastern Connecticut State University (Jan. 10, 1:00
p.m.) before travelling for back-to-back LEC games against Rhode Island College
(Jan. 13, 5:30 p.m) and Western Connecticut State (Jan. 17, 1:00 p.m.). The
Huskies will then battle UMass Boston at home (Jan. 20, 5:30 p.m.) and Keene
State College on the road (Jan. 24, 1:00 p.m.).
Southern Maine three consecutive home games to bring it into month of
February, hosting LEC foes Plymouth State University (Jan. 27, 5:30 p.m.) and
UMass Dartmouth (Jan. 31, 1:00 p.m.), before taking on Thomas College (Feb. 5,
7:00 p.m.). The Huskies play Eastern Connecticut (Feb. 7, 1:00 p.m.) and UMass
Boston (Feb. 10, 5:30 p.m.) on the road before returning to Hill Gymnasium for a
match-up against Rhode Island College (Feb. 14, 1:00 p.m.). USM travels to
Plymouth State (Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m.) before hosting its final regular season home
game against Western Connecticut State (Feb. 21, 1:00 p.m.).
The Little East Conference tournament begins February 24 with the four
quarterfinal games played at higher seeded teams. The semifinals and final will
be held February 27-28 at the home of the highest remaining seed. The
tournament winner will receive the conference’s automatic berth into the 2009
NCAA Division III National Championship tournament.
################################################################################
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
USM Announces Athletic Department Reorganization
Gary Fifield Named Associate Director of Athletics
Mike McDevitt Named Interim Women's Basketball Head Coach
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Athletic Department
today announced a major reorganization within the department and introduced a
new interim women's basketball head coach at a press conference held at the
Costello Sports Complex.
USM Director of Athletics, Al Bean, announced that veteran women's
basketball head coach and Assistant Director of Athletics, Gary Fifield, has
retired as women's basketball coach and is assuming the new role of Associate
Director of Athletics. Bean also announced that Mike McDevitt, an assistant
coach with Fifield for the past five seasons and former head coach at St.
Joseph's College, has been named interim head coach of the women's basketball
program for the 2008-2009 season. Both moves are effective immediately.
In prepared remarks, Bean said, "Gary Fifield's retirement as women's
basketball coach is among the most significant personnel decisions in the
history of this athletic program. When Gary came to USM in 1987, he followed in
the footsteps of a legend in Dr. Richard A. Costello. During his own 21-year
tenure on the bench, Gary built his own legacy, and in the process, elevated USM
women's basketball to be among the truly elite programs in the nation. His team
and personal records are truly astounding at any level in any sport.
"The Huskies domination of the Little East Conference with Gary at the helm
is nothing short of amazing and the numbers are staggering," continued Bean.
"It's tough to imagine USM women's basketball without Gary leading the team from
the bench. I want to personally thank Gary for his incredible commitment to our
student-athletes and the women's basketball program. His efforts have truly
made a difference for our students and for the University of Southern Maine.
"In addition to his prowess as a basketball coach, Gary is a very capable
administrator. He has been an immeasurable help to me and the entire staff in
his dual role as an assistant director. With the recent departure of an
assistant director from our department, significant administrative
responsibilities needed to be reassigned. Coincidentally, for the past couple
of years, Gary and I have been discussing his possible retirement from coaching
and a shift to full-time administrative responsibilities. The staff departure
opened the door for Gary and I to reopen that discussion about reshaping his
duties. Working in consultation with Vice President Craig Hutchinson, we came
to agreement for Gary to assume significant administrative responsibilities as
the department's first associate director of athletics. I'm extremely confident
that he will impact the department significantly in his new role and will help
to guide and mentor our younger staff members.
"While an incredible chapter in USM coaching history comes to a close, we
could not be more confident and more fortunate than to turn to Mike McDevitt to
lead the program in the coming year. When Gary and I discussed his retirement
and the prospect of turning the program over to someone to carry on, the list
was extremely short. At the top of that very short list was Mike McDevitt. His
decision to accept the one-year appointment made this restructuring a reality.
We are familiar with Mike's work as the former head coach at St. Joseph's
College and for the past five years as an assistant on our bench. Mike will be
a great fit, maintain continuity with our program, and we welcome his addition
to our staff. I have great confidence that he will continue the great tradition
of our women's basketball program."
In 21 seasons as USM women's basketball coach, Fifield compiled a 541-86
record and led the Huskies the NCAA Division III Final Four five times (1988,
1998, 2000, 2005, 2006), including three appearances in the national
championship game. At the end of the 2007-08 season, his .863 winning
percentage was the highest among active Division III coaches with five or more
years on the sidelines, and his 541 career wins ranked seventh among active
coaches.
During that span (1987-2008), he guided the Huskies to 17 Little East
Conference tournament championships, including 11 straight from 1997 through
2007, and won or shared the LEC regular season crown an amazing 19 times. Last
season, Fifield led the Huskies to a 25-4 overall record and a 13-1 regular
season mark in the Little East Conference.
Fifield guided the Huskies to an NCAA tournament berth in 20 of his 21
seasons as head coach. His teams won 20 or more games every season, extending
the Huskies' streak of consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins to 28, an NCAA
Division III women's basketball record. Six players combined to win the Little
East Conference Player of the Year award 11 times, and five players were named
to the WBCA/Kodak Division III All-America team.
Among his numerous honors, Fifield was named the WBCA Division III National
Coach of the Year in 2005 after leading the Huskies to 31-3 overall record and a
third-place finish in the NCAA tournament. He also was named Little East
Conference Coach of the Year 13 times. He served as an assistant coach at the
U.S. Olympic Festival in 1993, and was inducted into the New England Basketball
Hall of Fame in 2003.
Fifield came to USM from South Royalton (Vermont) High School in 1987,
succeeding legendary coach, the late Dr. Richard "Doc" Costello, as women's
basketball coach. He also coached the USM men's soccer program for five seasons
(30-35-10).
McDevitt returns to the sidelines after spending the past five seasons as
an assistant coach at USM. During that time, he helped the Huskies run up a
remarkable 144-14 record, make four trips to the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" and two
appearances in the Final Four.
During his 16 seasons (1987-2003) as head coach at St. Joseph's, McDevitt
compiled a 326-117 record (.736 W-L pct) and guided the Monks to seven
conference titles. His teams won 20 or more games 12 times, made seven
appearances in the NAIA national tournament and he was named Maine Athletic
Conference Coach of the Year five times (1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1999).
Prior to becoming the head coach at St. Joseph's, McDevitt served as an
assistant coach of the men's basketball team for three seasons (1984-87). The
St. Joseph's alum also had stints as the Monks head coach for men's golf (1997-
2004) and women's volleyball (1987-92). McDevitt was the Director of the Alfond
Center for five years (1999-2004) and was an assistant athletic director at St.
Joseph's for nine years (1990-1999).
A four-year starter for the Monks men's basketball team while earning a
degree in business administration, McDevitt scored 1,381 points and grabbed 674
rebounds during his playing career. He was named the Western Maine Athletic
Conference Player of the Year for the 1982-83 season, and received six all-
conference, all-district and all-state citations over the course of his four
years.
Gary Fifield's Record at USM Year-by-Year
Overall Little East
Season W L Pct. W L Pct. Place
1987-88 27 3 .900 10 0 1.000 1st
1988-89 25 3 .893 10 0 1.000 1st
1989-90 25 5 .833 9 1 .900 1st
1990-91 23 7 .767 7 3 .700 T2nd
1991-92 26 4 .867 9 1 .900 T1st
1992-93 25 4 .862 10 0 1.000 1st
1993-94 22 7 .759 11 1 .917 T1st
1994-95 23 4 .852 11 1 .917 1st
1995-96 25 4 .862 11 1 .917 1st
1996-97 25 4 .862 11 1 .917 1st
1997-98 29 3 .906 14 0 1.000 1st
1998-99 25 4 .862 13 1 .929 1st
1999-00 26 6 .813 9 5 .643 T2nd
2000-01 20 7 .741 12 2 .833 T1st
2001-02 25 3 .893 13 1 .929 T1st
2002-03 26 4 .867 13 1 .929 1st
2003-04 29 2 .935 14 0 1.000 1st
2004-05 31 3 .911 14 0 1.000 1st
2005-06 32 2 .941 14 0 1.000 1st
2006-07 27 3 .900 13 1 .929 1st
2007-08 25 4 .862 13 1 .929 1st
Totals 541 86 .862 241 21 .919
Mike McDevitt's Coaching Record Year-by-Year
Overall Conference
Season W L Pct. W L Pct. Place
1987-88 21 9 .700 7 1 .875 1st
1988-89 20 8 .714 5 3 .625 2nd
1989-90 25 5 .833 8 0 1.000 1st
1990-91 24 5 .828 8 0 1.000 1st
1991-92 23 8 .742 6 2 .750 2nd
1992-93 24 5 .828 7 1 .875 1st
1993-94 23 5 .821 8 1 .889 1st
1994-95 22 6 .784 6 2 .750 2nd
1995-96 16 11 .593 4 5 .444 4th
1996-97 14 13 .519 6 6 .500 3rd
1997-98 12 12 .500 6 6 .500 2nd
1998-99 20 7 .741 10 2 .833 1st
1999-00 22 5 .815 8 2 .800 2nd
2000-01 22 5 .815 11 1 .917 1st
2001-02 23 3 .885 12 0 1.000 1st
2002-03 15 10 .600 na na
Totals 326 117 .736 112 32 .778
################################################################################
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