Women Edge Panthers To Complete Weekend Sweep

ALBANY, N.Y.—  The Southern Maine Community College women's basketball team defeated the Panthers of Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (ACPHS) in a non-conference game 56-50 on Saturday, Dec. 10. at Albert M. White Gymnasium.

Senior Jennifer Conrad (Monmouth, Maine) led all scorers in the game with 30 points in 29 minutes on the floor. She added eight rebounds, six steals, and made eight of 10 from the charity stripe. First-year Kaylah Abdul (South Berwick, Maine) came off the bench to score eight points and grab a season-high nine steals in her contributions to the win.

For the first time this season, SMCC trailed its opponent at the end of the first half and by a seven-point margin. The Panthers led as much as 12 points late in the third quarter until Conrad closed the deficit to four by making eight consecutive points to end the third.

SMCC started the fourth quarter on an 8-2 run and would outscore ACPHS 18-10 in the last 10 minutes. Conrad knocked down four free-throws to finish the game and close the door on win number 13.

In a gratifying performance, Head Coach Katie Bergeron commented, "The start of the second half was gut check time and the women came out with a vengeance. Conrad scored 22 of her 30 points in the second half and Abdul was a force on defense picking up steal after steal for layup finishes swinging the momentum in our favor. Heald owned the boards and Barnes was tasked with the toughest challenge of the game—guarding their 5'11'' center who averaged a double-double coming into play. Barnes held her to just one basket in each quarter. I was so proud of the way these women responded—a true testament to their dedication to the program and each other."

SMCC stays perfect to improve to 13-0 and remain atop of the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) North Division at 7-0 in conference play.

The SeaWolves look to remain unbeaten in their much anticipated date against the #1 nationally-ranked Mustangs from Central Maine Community College on Wednesday, Dec. 14. in Auburn, Maine.  Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m.

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