SOUTH PORTLAND, ME – The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) women's basketball team's season came to a close in the YSCC Semifinals on Saturday afternoon, as the Seawolves fell 82-67 to top-seeded Maine-Augusta.  

SUMMARY  

Ashley Mullen (Oakland, Maine) capped off her stellar season with a team-high 23 points, including five three-pointers, while Halle Tripp (Searsmont, Maine) added 16 points and four rebounds. Hannah Thorsen (Kittery, Maine) contributed six points, eight rebounds, and three blocks, providing a defensive presence inside. 

Despite out-rebounding Maine-Augusta 40-34, SMCC struggled to slow down the Moose's hot shooting throughout the game.  

HOW IT HAPPENED  

SMCC came out with energy, taking an early lead in the first quarter behind an and-one layup by Thorsen and aggressive rebounding. However, Maine-Augusta found its rhythm late in the quarter, closing the period with a 15-13 lead.  

The second quarter was where the game started to shift. SMCC shot 47.1% from the field, keeping pace with the Moose, but Maine-Augusta caught fire from the perimeter, shooting 73.3% in the quarter. A 13-2 run midway through the period put the hosts in control, sending SMCC into halftime trailing 43-34.  

The Seawolves fought back early in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to six points behind a three from Tripp (9:29). Mullen added another three-pointer, but Maine-Augusta responded with a 16-2 run, stretching their lead to double digits once again.  

Despite SMCC's efforts, Augusta's Alisyn Alley (25 points, 9 assists) and Lillian Cox (18 points, 18 rebounds) led the Moose in extending their lead to 70-50 by the end of the third quarter.  

The Moose sealed the game at the free-throw line in the final minutes.  

LOOKING AHEAD  

SMCC finishes the season with a 13-12 overall record and an 8-6 mark in YSCC play. The Seawolves will look to build on their experience as they head into next season under the guidance of head coach Rachele Burns.