FORT KENT, ME

UMPI Women's Basketball took to the floor once again rather short handed as illnesses and injuries plague the Owls. But that didn't stop UMPI from fighting as they kept the game close when the same could not be said the last time they faced the University of Maine at Fort Kent Bengals.

How it Happened:

UMPI started out hot, knocking down back to back threes to start out and took a 6-0 lead. The Owls kept that led as UMFK tried to take back control early. The Bengals did grab an 11-10 advantage, but UMPI quickly erased it and closed out the first quarter strong to lead 18-13. For comparison, the last time these teams met up, it was 25-6 Bengals after one. To say the Owls have come a long way would be an understatement. The Bengals erased the deficit in the second Quarter starting out on an 8-0 run to go up 21-18. It was very back and forth other than this early run from UMFK, as it was a two-point game at halftime, 35-33 in favor of the home team.

In the second half, the thin numbers began to catch up with the Owls. Fort Kent won the frame 21-8 to take a 15 point lead going into the fourth as things began to run dry. UMPI kept fighting in the last quarter despite things getting away from them. The Bengals outscored UMPI 16-10 in the final quarter to take the game by a score of 72-51.

Top Performers:

UMPI was led by Nevaeh Bello who had 16 points and 13 rebounds. It was her career high in both categories and also her first ever double-double. Bello went 6-16 from the field including a pair of threes to lead UMPI. Lindsay Hamilton was right there also with 15 points on 6-11 shooting. Aleyah Matheson had eight points while Cady Stairs was next closest in rebounds with 10—a career high mark for her as well.

Next Up:

The Owls will have a few days to recover before bringing in Husson University who is involved in a three-way tie for first place in the North Atlantic Conference. That game will begin around 4 p.m. at Wieden Gymnasium.