Farmington, ME - The University of Maine at Presque Isle women's basketball team dropped their season opener 57-38 in a battle against the Beavers of UMaine Farmington. 

The Owls started the game strong, keeping the score within one at 14-13, before UMF went on an 18-2 run midway through the first half on their way to a 41-17 command at intermission.  Everything fell for the Beavers, as they shot an impressive 45.7 percent (16-35) from the floor in the first, and then defensively stiffled the Owls to just an 18.2% shooting effort.

The relatively young Owl team, having only practiced four days together, came out strong and confident in the second half.  "I challenged them to keep their eyes focused on the second 20 minutes of the game and not on the scoreboard," commented Head Coach Tracy Guerrette.  "We chalked up the first half as experience, learned from it, and took the second 20 minutes as a game in itself.  We played with more poise, purpose, and defensive intensity, and though we lost the game, we won the second half 21-16."
 
The Owls derailed Farmington offensively in the second, forcing them to shoot just 16% from the floor.  The Owls slightly their offensive game with a 25% effort, as they were also outrebounded 48-34.  Emily Pelletier (Fort Kent, ME) led UMPI with 11 points with Julie Peers (Limestone, ME) adding eight points in the loss.  Caitlyn Laflin (Farmingdale, ME) lead the Beavers with 13 points and 10 rebounds on the night.

The Lady Owls return to action on Saturday, November 21, as they take on Curry College in the 1:00 pm consolation game of the UMF Tip-Off tournament.