PRESQUE ISLE, ME
It's been a long, frustrating season for the UMPI Women's team who entered Friday night's contest at 2-20. They would have a rematch vs. VTSU-Johnson whom they lost to 70-66 back on January 11th in a game that slipped away from them in the final few minutes. This time, the Owls wouldn't be letting that happen. They picked up an early lead and held a double-digit advantage throughout the whole second half for the most satisfying win for the Owls all year as they proved their no-quit attitude.
How it Happened:
UMPI scored on their very first possession when Nevaeh Bello buried a three almost right off the jump ball. Johnson came within one-point at 5-4, and then tied it at 7, but UMPI pulled away from them after that, and would never surrender their lead for the rest of the game. UMPI went on a 10-0 run until about 18 seconds left in the first before Johnson hit a three to cut it to 17-10 after one.
In the second, the Badgers threatened to close the gap when the score was 21-16, but the Owls stood strong and brought it back to double digits. At halftime, UMPI settled for a 28-19 lead, though they led by 12 close to the end of the frame.
In the first few minutes of the third quarter, the Owls essentially won the game right then and there. After a Johnson bucket to start the third, the Owls responded with a massive, 17-0 run over the next five minutes. The owls took a 28-21 game and turned it into a 45-21 game as they were relentless while their offense found a rhythm. Johnson wouldn't go away quietly but the damage was done. The Badgers closed out the third strong but still trailed 50-36 going into the fourth.
Once there, UMPI grew it back to 55-36 while the Badgers fought to stay afloat. Johnson made another charge late, but it was in fact, too little, too late as UMPI hung on for the 12 point victory, 62-48.
Top Performers:
Nevaeh Bello had a whale of a game, scoring 15 to go with 15 rebounds. She went 3-4 from bonus distance and added four assists and two steals. In her penultimate career game, Camryn Ala had 14 points along with three threes and four rebounds throughout her 35 minutes as she rallied and led the team. Lindsay Hamilton had nine and nine, and Aleyah Matheson had eight and six. Brianna Osterblom had six from off the bench.
Next Up:
UMPI has one more game this season, and it will be Camryn Ala's senior day as they host VTSU-Lyndon at 3 p.m. from Wieden Gymnasium.
