UMPI uses clutch free throws to fight off Lady Bengals

PRESQUE ISLE - The University of Maine Presque women's basketball team used a decisive 9-4 run in the final three minutes of the game to erase a three point University of Maine at Fort Kent lead in defeating their Aroostook County rivals 65-61 Saturday afternoon in Presque Isle.

On Saturday, UMPI (3-6) took a 33-26 advantage at halftime and were up by ten, 44-34, midway through the second before UMFK began to fight back.

The Lady Bengals went on a 23-10 run during an eight-minute span to climb back into the game. Megan Land of Salina, Calif. hit two three-pointers and Taylor Boucher of Fort Kent hit another during the run, giving UMFK a 57-54 lead with just under three minutes left.

However, the Lady Bengals went cold and turned the ball over down the stretch while the host Owls hit nine of 10 free throws to seal the win.

Land would finish with a team-high 15 points while Boucher and sophomore guard Jenn Colpitts of Scarborough added 14 each. Senior forward Maliesha Caesar of Cayon, St. Kitts, had nine points and eight boards but fellow front court player Ericka Christensen of Warren, who came into the game averaging a double-double, fouled out late and was held to nine points and five rebounds.

Emily Moore scored a game-high 17 to lead UMPI while her sister Renee added 13 and eight boards. Fort Kent native Emily Pelletier added 13.

UMFK drops to 1-6 with the loss and will be on semester break until January 4 when they entertain Houghton College at 5 p.m.