Lyndonville, VT - Northern Vermont University-Lyndon built a 12-point lead with four minutes to go in Friday's North Atlantic Conference women's basletball game with the University of Maine at Presque Isle.  The Hornets then withstood a late Owl rally to come away with a 71-68 victory.  With the win, Lyndon improved to 10-12 on the season and 6-6 in NAC play.  UMPI fell to 13-9 overall and 7-5 in conference.

Christina McKivergan's (Essex, VT) three-pointer sent the Hornets into halftime with a four-point advantage.  Lyndon gradually extended their lead throughout the third and early fourth quarters.  When Riann Fortin (Derby, VT) found Saleena Porter (St. Johnsbury, VT) cutting inside, the Lyndon lead had grown to 66-54 with just over four minutes to go in the game.

UMPI then mounted a fierce comeback, and when Chantel Williams scored in transition, the Owls were within three points with 40 seconds to go.  After the Hornets turned the ball over, the Owls had two three-pointers that could have tied things not fall, and Lyndon came away with the win.

Fortin paced the Hornets with 18 points on 8/11 shooting.  Sage Smith (Colebrook, NH) added 17 points and six assists and Porter recorded a double double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.  Sleia Milano led UMPI with a game high 29 points.  Alexis Ireland added 12 points and nine rebounds and Emily Wheaton chipped in with 11 points and six assists.

The Hornets and Owls will square off again on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm in a game that will determine NAC playoff seeding for both teams.