GORHAM, ME 2/22/02 -Sophomore guard Meg Cressler (Appleton, ME)
scored a team-high 16 points, as the University of Southern ME
Huskies overcame a determined effort from the upset-minded Keene
State College Owls to post a 63-51 win in the semifinals of the
Little East Conference Tournament Friday night at Hill Gym.
The Huskies, who improved to 24-2 overall, will now advance to
tomorrow's LEC Championship game (3:00 PM), where they will face
Eastern Connecticut State University, which improved to 25-2 with
an posted an 82-76 win over Plymouth State College. Southern ME and
Eastern Connecticut split the two-game regular-season series, with
each winning on its home court.
Keene State fell to 16-10 overall, and will now await word on a
possible ECAC Tournament bid. Southern ME, which took a 29-22 lead
into the break, extended its advantage to 31-22, when senior guard
Niki Dominiczak (Dixfield, ME) hit a running baseline jumper with
19 minutes to play.
However, Keene State responded with a 7-0 run, culminating with
a three-pointer from junior forward Hayley Alaimo (Ellington, CT)
to pull within 31-29 with 16:46 remaining. The Owls would pull no
closer throughout the rest of the game.
Over the ensuing 4:20, Southern ME outscored Keene State by a
9-1 margin to build a 40-30 advantage with 12:26 remaining. The
Owls pulled within seven points on three occasions - with the final
time coming at 50-43 with 5:39 to play, when sophomore guard
Shannon Clarke (Trenton, N.J.) hit a running layup.
The Huskies maintained their advantage by hitting 7-of-10 free
throws down the stretch. Overall, Southern ME enjoyed a decided
advantage at the foul line, where it sank 22-of-31 attempts. By
comparison, Keene State made just 2-of-6 foul shots. Senior forward
Jaime Zahm (Montpelier, Vt.) added 11 points and seven rebounds,
while junior forward Jess Libby (Orono, ME) contributed 12 points
for the Huskies.
Keene State was paced by Alaimo, who scored 12 points, while
freshman guard Cathy Mechare (Falls Village, CT) added nine points.
