PRESQUE ISLE, ME
The Owls began their 2025-26 season at home against U-Maine Augusta on Friday night and Fisher on Saturday. The Owls experienced two polar opposite games throughout the weekend that ended on a very positive note.
Friday:
The Owls offense struggled in their first few minutes of the year, but so did the Moose' offense. UMA led 13-3 after one quarter, but both teams struggled shooting from the floor. In the second quarter, things got worse for UMPI, as UMA started to open it up, leading 38-9 at halftime. UMPI had their best frame in the third quarter, putting up 10 points but couldn't keep pace with UMA who scored 27 more. In the end, the Moose won by a score of 86-26 as they simply outran the Owls, not letting up at all throughout the whole forty minutes.
Top Performers:
UMPI was led in scoring by Sophomore Aleyah Matheson who played her first official college game after sitting out all of last season with an injury. She finished the game with 12 points that included two three-pointers. She also had seven rebounds for UMPI. Nevaeh Bello was next with eight points including a three. Lindsay Hamilton led UMPI on the boards with 10. Cady Stairs also got in on the rebound action with eight.
Saturday:
As frustrating as it was for UMPI's offense as they couldn't seem to buy a basket at times on Friday night, was all the more rewarding on Saturday. Things started slowly again, as the game was tied at two midway through the first. But a timeout by Coach Knight seemed to be the turning point for the rest of the game, as he lit a fire under UMPI. They came out, and scored 15 points over the remainder of the quarter, to take a 17-7 lead. UMPI would score 16 more in the second quarter, while Fisher chipped away slightly to stay within reach at halftime as UMPI led 33-18. The Third quarter proved to be the tipping point, as UMPI played their best ball all weekend in those ten minutes. The Owls shot 50% from the field, going 10 for 20 as they were able to get penetration and get most of their points inside.
They dominated the fourth quarter, outscoring the Falcons 17-0 in the last frame to cruise to a 76-28 victory.
Top Performers:
It was Aleyah Matheson again for the Owls as she led the game in scoring this time. She had 25 points, three triples, and four rebounds. Lindsay Hamilton had a terrific game she posted her third career double-double. Hamilton had 14 points and 14 rebounds, along with a couple blocks as she ruled the paint. Nevaeh Bello earned her first career double digit performance, posting 10 points and five boards. She had five assists as well as four steals as she filled up the score sheet. Karen Marshall had seven and 10, while Logan Curtis came off the bench for 13 minutes, and scored 13 points, going 6-10 from the field. Curtis averaged one point per minute in her first college appearance, showcasing some serious efficiency. Madison Bridges also made a difference, posting five points but had six rebounds and numerous hustle plays throughout the whole weekend.
Next Up:
The Owls finish out the weekend 1-1, as they take a lot of positives into their next matchup. They will have a mid-week date with University of Maine at Fort Kent on Wednesday night. The tip-off is scheduled for 7:30pm at Wieden Gymnasium.
