Richards Buries Game Winner At Home

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) women’s basketball team won its fourth straight with a 63-60 result over the Bengals from the University of Maine at Fort Kent (USCAA Div. 1) on Thursday, Nov. 18.

Sophomores Aija Andrews (Norwalk, Conn.) and Bailey Whitney (Norway, Maine) combined for nine of SMCC’s 13 points in the first quarter to help the home team to a 2-point advantage. The Bengals took the next two quarters to go ahead by as much as eight. The fourth quarter featured a takeover by first-year guard Hannah Richards (Bradley, Maine)—outscoring the opponent herself with 13.

With the game tied 60-60 and five seconds showing on the clock, Richards knocked down the only SMCC three-pointer of the evening when it mattered to secure the victory. Richards finished with a season-high 24 points. Sophomore captain Tara Flanders (Windham, Maine) tallied her second straight double-double.

Four finished in double figures for the Bengals led by Arieyle Baker’s 22.

SMCC climbs to 4-1 overall; Fort Kent remains winless at 0-2.

Head Coach Katie Stannard commented, “Our toughness in the third quarter continues to be an area of improvement- however our ability to rally in the fourth quarter is the bright spot. Hannah did a phenomenal job to help us keep pace down the stretch and was the catalyst to our comeback victory.”

Yankee Small College Conference action continues when the Lady SeaWolves travel to the University of Maine at Augusta on Tuesday, Nov. 23. Tip-off at the Augusta Civic Center is slated for 6:00 p.m.

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