NEW LONDON, N.H. – Meghan Smith’s double-double helped the University of Maine at Farmington (8-11, 7-5) prevail after a strong second half by Colby-Sawyer (11-8, 8-4) and earned the, 61-57, conference victory at Coffin Field House on Saturday afternoon.
The contest was neck-and-neck and with the game tied at, 19-19, with 9:34 left in the opening half, the Beavers took control of the game with a, 16-5, run and possessed a, 35-24, lead at the break.
UMF found itself with a 15-point lead only three minutes into the second half. The Chargers’ defense stepped up and held the Beavers without a field goal for five minutes and climbed back into the game, trailing by nine with 12:48 left in regulation. After a three-pointer by Jenessa Talarico, Colby-Sawyer continued to fight and tied the game at, 57-57, at the 2:02 mark.
Smith hit a clutch-shot with 30 ticks left on the clock to give the Beavers the lead. Colby-Sawyer’s Lexi Iannone shoot a three-pointer to give the Chargers the lead, but the shot found all iron and Kelly Pomerleau was there for the defensive board. After CSC was forced to foul, Lindsay Ranquist sank both free throws to seal the victory for UMF.
Meghan Smith finished a rebound shy of tying her career-high (set two weeks ago against Thomas), with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and four assists. Smith had a great day from the field, shooting 7 of 8 and seven of her 15 boards were on the offensive end. Lindsay Ranquist scored 11 points, five boards, and two assists. Colby-Sawyer’s Lexi Iannone topped Smith by a point with 15 points and three rebounds.
UMF returns home on Friday night to face Lyndon State at 7:30 p.m. The Beavers will celebrate the careers of three seniors, Ranquist, Bianca Stoutamyer, and Marissa Kelley, following the conclusion of the contest.
