Lyndonville, VT - Riann Fortin (Derby, VT) scored a career high 41 points to lead Northern Vermont University-Lyndon back from an eight-point deficit in the final four minutes and a 78-71 victory over the University of Maine at Farmington in Saturday afternoon's North Atlantic Conference women's basketball game. The contest was the first NAC tilt for both teams. Lyndon improved to 2-5 on the season, while UMF fell to 1-6 overall.
The visiting Beavers took a slim three-point advantage after one quarter. UMF's Victoria Garand scored the first basket of the second quarter, then the Beavers' Maddy White converted a layup and free throw to extend the advantage to 19-11. UMF was able to maintain a slim lead the rest of the quarter, and went into intermission with a 32-29 lead.
UMF started fast in the third quarter, and when Jaycie Stevens connected from three-point range, the Beavers took their biggest lead at 47-35 with 5:40 to go in the quarter. After Lyndon's Christina McKivergan (Essex, VT) and White traded three-pointers, the Hornets went on an 11-0 run capped by a McKivergan layup to take their first lead since the opening minutes, 51-50, with just over a minute to go in the quarter. Grace Dwyer scored to give UMF the lead back, then Fortin converted a fre throw to send the teams into the final quarter tied at 52.
Fortin took over the game in the final quarter. She scored the first seven Hornet points, but UMF kept pace and the game was tied at 59 with 6:14 to go. After Rosalie White put the Beavers back in front, Saleena Porter (St. Johnsbury, VT) converted a pair of free throws to make it 61-61. UMF then appeared to take control with a quick eight-point run capped by Jacqui Hamilton's transition layup to open up a 69-61 lead with only 4:10 to go.
Lyndon responded with back to back three-pointers from Fortin and Kerigan Disorda (Benson, VT), then Porter found Fortin inside for a layup to tie the game. Disorda came up with a steal on UMF's next possession, and Fortin scored off of it to give the Hornets the lead with 2:00 to go. Fortin was fouled on the play and converted the free throws to make it 72-69, Hornets. Forton converted six more free throws in the closing moments to seal the win for Lyndon.
Fortin scored 21 of her career high 41 points in the final quarter to carry Lyndon to the victory. She converted 12 for 14 shots from the floor, including all three of her attempts from behind the arc. and also made 14 of 17 free throws. She also pulled down 15 rebounds and added three blocks and three assists. Kadienne Whitcomb (West Burke, VT) was the only other Hornet to reach double figures, chipping in with 12 points. Whitcomb, Disorda, and Porter all handed out five assists.
Dwyer paced UMF with 21 points and eight assists. White and Hamilton added 13 and 12 points respectively.
The Hornets are off until next Saturday, when they will host Fisher College in a non-Conference affair. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm.
