Women's Basketball falls in non-league tilt with Maine Fort Kent 65-59
North Adams, MA-- The visiting Maine Fort Kent women's basketball team received 23 points and 8 rebounds from Hannah Jones as the Bengals held off the MCLA Trailblazers 65-59 in non league action. The Bengals earned their first win of the season as they're now 1-11 overall. MCLA was seeking back to back wins, but falls to 1-17 on the season.
MCLA was sharp early jumping out to a 15-7 lead after one quarter. Brooke Digennaro had the hot hand scoring 13 points in that opening quarter of play. The second quarter was all Bengals.
They would outscore MCLA 25-9 in the period and ultimately take a 32-24 lead into halftime. MCLA shot just 3-15 in the quarter compared to a 10-18 showing from UMFK.
The Trailblazers would keep it tight though and the teams would head to the fourth quarter with UMFK leading just 46-42. Later in the fourth with UMFK holding a 59-52 lead, MCLA's Shannon Carney converted an old fashioned three point play to pull within four at 59-55. A defensive stop by the hosts led to a Bengal foul and Digennaro converted one of two to pull within three with under two minutes to play.
The Bengals came up with a key play on the next series. Hannah Jones drove through the MCLA defense and pulled up from eight feet. When it swished thru, the Bengals led 61-56. The teams would swap turnovers on the next couple of possessions and UMFK finally put the game away on Arieyle Baker's drive to the hoop that put them up 63-56 with just 28 seconds left.
MCLA's Maddie Teta would drill a triple and then the Trailblazers turned over the Bengals, however they couldn't convert and UMFK held on for the win.
Jones ended the night shooting 10-19 for her 23 point effort. Baker would chip in with 13 points and 13 rebounds off the bench for UMFK.
MCLA's Digennaro ended with a game best 28 points on 9-19 shooting. She canned six three's on eleven tries. Senior Shannon Carney had a great night adding 15 points and 6 boards. Olivia Pressley collected 10 rebounds for MCLA in the loss.
The Trailblazers shot just 31% in the setback.
MCLA is back in action on Monday when they host Bridgewater State at 5:30pm.