SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – The #4-seeded Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) women's basketball team battled back from a first-half deficit to defeat #5-seeded Vermont State University Randolph 66-60 on Saturday afternoon at The HUB Athletic Center, securing a spot in the YSCC Final Four.
SUMMARY
SMCC struggled early but found their rhythm in the second half, outscoring Vermont 42-30 after halftime. Ashley Mullen (Oakland, Maine) stepped up in crunch time, scoring 13 points and grabbing seven rebounds, while Jade Trueman (Sanbornville, N.H.) led all scorers with 16 points and eight rebounds. Hannah Thorsen (Kittery, Maine) added 13 points and five rebounds before fouling out in the final minute.
Abby Roy (Old Orchard Beach, Maine) provided a huge spark off the bench, scoring eight points, including clutch free throws in the final seconds to seal the victory.
The Seawolves dominated the paint, outscoring Vermont 46-20 down low, and forced 17 turnovers, converting them into 18 points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Vermont opened the game with a strong defensive presence, forcing SMCC into contested shots as they built a 13-11 lead after the first quarter. The Seawolves struggled to find their rhythm offensively, shooting just 27.8% from the field in the opening period.
The second quarter was much of the same, with Vermont continuing to hold a slight edge thanks to the play of Marielle Benoit (19 points, 12 rebounds) and Yvonne Roberge (13 points, 9 assists, 4 steals). SMCC saw offensive production from Trueman and Thorsen, who combined for 12 first-half points, but Vermont extended its lead, taking a 30-24 advantage into the halftime break.
Trailing by five points (41-36) with 4:04 left in the third, Mullen drilled a three, shifting the momentum back in SMCC's favor. Moments later, she scored on an unassisted layup at the 3:46 mark, bringing the home crowd to life.
Vermont's Jasmine Mooney answered with a three-pointer at 1:42, temporarily silencing the Seawolves' rally, but Taylor Renna (Pembroke, N.H.) responded just seconds later with a clutch three-pointer of her own (1:25), electrifying the home crowd.
As time wound down, Mullen buried another deep three with 36 seconds left in the quarter, bringing SMCC within one point. However, a pair of free throws by Roberge a buzzer-beating layup by Benoit sent the game into the final quarter with Vermont leading 52-47.
SMCC wasted no time tying the game. Renna converted a layup and free throw at the 9:10 mark, and Milo Seams (South Paris, Maine) scored inside at 8:50 to knot the game at 52-52 in the fourth quarter.
The Seawolves grabbed their first lead since the first half when Mullen drove to the hoop for a go-ahead layup at 4:06, making it 58-56. Roy followed up with a crucial layup (3:29), plus a foul, extending the lead to 60-56.
With Vermont pressing in the final minute, Thorsen fouled out with 41 seconds left, leaving SMCC to close it out at the line. Roy stepped up and knocked down two free throws with four seconds remaining, icing the game and sending SMCC to the YSCC Final Four.
LOOKING AHEAD
With the victory, #4-seeded SMCC improves to 13-11 overall and 8-6 in conference play, advancing to the YSCC Final Four. The Seawolves will take on the University of Maine at Augusta at home on March 1st in the YSCC Semi Finals.
