AUBURN, ME (YSCC) – The Central Maine Comunity College Mustangs are the 2021-22 Yankee Small College Conference Women's Basketball Champions.

The Mustangs beat the Southern Maine Community College Seawolves 57-50. 

YSCC All-Conference selection Eliza Brault saved the best for last, nailing down the Mustangs' win with two late three-pointers.

The Mustangs started the game, holding the Seawolves scoreless for over five minutes. SMCC's defense was solid, holding CMCC to only six points during the same time.

Allexius Theberge got the Seawolves going with a long two from the left side, which seemed to calm the entire team down. 

The Mustangs finished the first with a 10-9 lead. 

The Mustangs seemed to take control of the game midway through the second, growing the lead to twelve points with just over 2 minutes left in the half. Mustangs were led by Leata Te Nana-Williams who had five in the quarter, Brault and Jade Smedberg both had four. 

The Seawolves clawed their way back with big shots by Ashleigh Mathisen, helping to close the half just down four, 26-22. 

The second half was more of the same, as the Mustangs grabbed a big lead, and the Seawolves crawled to within four, until Brault took over late in the 4th quarter. The Mustangs were clinging to a five-point lead when Bailey Whitney hit one of two free throws to close the gap to four. 

Brault, with four fouls, came back into the game after the free throws. She went down the court and immediately drained a deep three. Brault stole a Seawolves pass on the next play and was fouled on the way to an easy layup. She nailed two free throws to give the Mustangs a nine-point lead. The Brault show closed out after another three ended the Seawolves' chances of a comeback. 

Brault fouled out a few plays later, leaving to a raucous ovation from the Kirk Hall crowd. She finished with a game-high 14 points. Leata Te Nana-Williams had 10, and Safena Te Nana-Williams finished with eight.

Ashleigh Mathisen led the Seawolves 13, Hannah Richards and Tara Flanders had ten, respectively.

Both teams head south to play in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association National Tournament. The Mustangs hold the #2 seed and have a first-round bye. The Seawolves are the six seed and open March 7th. 

YSCC TOURNAMENT AWARDS

Tournament MVP - Eliza Brault, Central Maine CC

Offensive Player of the Tournament - Ashleigh Mathison, Southern Maine CC

Defensive Player of the Tournament - Kali Thompson, Central Maine CC

2021-22 YSCC Women's Basketball Championships 02/26/2022

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