Presque Isle, ME - Sage Smith (Colebrook, NH) scored a career high 33 points, none bigger than her go-ahead three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining that lifted Vermont State University Lyndon to a 74-71 North Atlantic Conference women's basketball victory over the University of Maine at Presque Isle on Friday evening. The victory, Lyndon's fifth in a row, kept the Hornets' NAC playoff hopes alive and raised their record to 10-13 overall and 4-9 in conference. UMPI fell to 11-11 on the season and 6-7 in the NAC.
UMPI came out of the gates quickly, as seven early points from Lindsey Hamilton helped the Owls jump in front, 11-0. Smith's basket and free throw broke the ice for Lyndon, as the Hornets chipped away for the rest of the opening quarter. Kadienne Whitcomb's (West Burke, VT) three-pointer in the final seconds cut the Owl lead to 21-19 after one.
The Owls continued to cling to a small lead in the early going of the second quarter. However when Marisa Schlegel (Nampa, ID) scored on a put back, the Hornets pulled even at 31-31 with 3:41 to go until halftime. After a defensive stop, Lyndon's Kiara Mack (Winooski, VT) was fouled and made one of two free throws to give Lyndon its first lead of the game. The teams exchanged the lead over the next few minutes, before a Whitcomb layup followed by back to back baskets from Saleena Porter (St. Johnsbury, VT) sent Lyndon into halftime with a 41-35 lead.
UMPI quickly pulled even at the start of the third quater on a Hamilton jumper followed by a free throw and a three-pointer from Emily Wheaton. An Alexis Ireland fre throw put UMPI back in front, then the two teams traded the lead for the next few minutes. A Porter jumper followed by five straight Smith points push the Hornets back out to a six-point advantage. The Owls cut that margin in half as the third quarter came to an end.
Laurn Magno tied things at 59 on the first Owl possession of the final quarter. UMPI was then able to ease in front, and Wheaton's layup gace the Owls a four-point advantage, under four minutes to go. Five straight points from Smith gave Lyndon the lead back. Two Wheaton free throws put UMPI back in front, but Porter's layup with just under a minute remaining made it 70-69, Hornets. Wheaton was then fouled and converted both free throws, setting the stage for Smith's heroics.
Lyndon took possession with 33 seconds to go in the game, but ran it all the way down to 11 seconds, when Smith connected from distance to give the Hornets the lead. Following an UMPI time out, Porter drew a huge charge, giving the ball back to Lyndon. She then made one of two free throws, and Riann Fortin (Newport, VT) got a piece of UMPI's three-point attempt at the buzzer, giving Lyndon the win.
Whitcomb was the only Hornet other than Smith to reach double figures, as she finished with 14 points. Porter added nine points and eight rebounds.
Wheaton led UMPI with 20 points. Ireland recorded a double double with 19 points and 20 rebounds, and Aleia Milano added 14 points.
Lyndon and UMPI will play again Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm, with the winner securing a North Atlantic Conference playoff berth.
