Presque Isle, ME - Senior forward Alisha Celley (Cabot, VT) scored a career high 26 points to help Northern Vermont University-Lyndon defeat the University of Maine at Presque Isle, 75-56, in North Atlantic Conference women's basketball Friday evening.  With the win, the Hornets improve to 6-12 overall and 2-6 in NAC play.  The host Owls fall to 3-16 on the season and 1-8 in conference.

After Lyndon grabbed an early 11-5 lead midway through the opening quarter, UMPI went on a 14-0 run over four minutes to take an eight point lead.  Faith Poirier's (Portsmouth, NH) layup cut the Owl lead to 19-13 after one quarter.

Lyndon came out strong to start the second quarter, scoring the first eight points and regaining the lead on a Shaylan Mosher (Newark, VT) three-pointer at the 6:37 mark of the quarter.  After UMPI's Taylor Miller converted one of two free throws, Alissa Mitchell (Milton, NH) connected on a three pointer to extend the Hornet advantage to four.  Lyndon would maintain the lead the rest of the period and head into halftime with a 34-28 advantage.

Celley scored Lyndon's first ten points of the second half, as the Hornets extended their lead into double figures, 44-33.  Threes from Mitchell and Poirier extended the advantage to 15 before a 7-0 Owl run cut the Hornet lead back to eight.  Poirier converted a pair of free throws to give Lyndon a ten point lead through three quarters.

Celley scored the first four points of the final quarter to push the lead back out to 14.  UMPI never threatened from there, as the Hornets pulled away for the win.

Celley was 10/11 from the floor and 6/6 from the foul line to account for her career night.  She also pulled down six rebounds and blocked a pair of shots.  Poirier also notched a career high, as she finished with 18 points, highlighted by 4/8 shooting from behind the three-point arc.  Lea Crompton (Dunbarton, NH) dished out seven assists, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded four steals.  Mitchell reached double figures with ten points and added six assists while Mosher pulled down a team best nine rebounds.

Marissa Reagle came off the bench to lead UMPI with 16 points and nine rebounds.  Mariah Dunbar chipped in 14 points and six assists and Miller added ten points.

The same two teams will square off again on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm in UMPI's Wieden Hall.