ORONO- The Orono Red Riots were looking for a big pointworthy win in the Class B North standings Saturday night as they hosted the PCHS Pirates out of Class C North. Orono used a big rebounding effort to take a halftime lead, before PCHS turned up the defensive pressure for the come from behind 38-24 schoolgirl basketball win at Orono High School.
Orono led by as many as seven in the first half, and 11-6 at the end of the first quarter. Sara Almirante rolled in a three pointer from the top of the key just beating the first half buzzer, to bring the Pirates to within 15-13 at halftime. The Red Riots used an 18-8 rebounding advantage to get many second and third shots to help them to the halftime lead.
PCHS (13-3), turned up the defense in the second half though, starting the third quarter on a 9-0 run and outscoring Orono 17-3 in the period to take a 30-18 lead. The Pirates only allowed two field goals from the floor for the Red Riots in the second half, and outscored them 25-9 overall in the second 16 minutes of action to pick up the win.
Almirante finished with 17 points (eight in third quarter, 10 in second half) to go along with six rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Alivia Hunt was the only other Pirate in double figures as she finished with 10 points, six rebounds, and a steal.
Orono (4-12), was led by senior guard Hannah Steelman who had 10 points (all in first half) and seven rebounds. The Riots outrebounded the Pirates 31-18. Both teams struggled from the foul line as PCHS was 5-18, and Orono was 7-14.
Both teams return to action Monday night as PCHS will host PVHS out of Howland at 7 p.m., while Orono travels to Foxcroft for a 7 p.m. start.
Box Score
PCHS (13-3) 6 7 17 8- 38
ORO (4-12) 11 4 3 6- 24
PCHS (38)
Almirante 7-0-17, Hunt 5-0-10, Harris 1-2-4, Speed 0-3-3, Lemieux 1-0-2, Riitano 1-0-2
3 pt goals: Almirante 3
Orono (24)
Steelman 3-2-10, Henderson 2-1-5, Baker 1-0-3, Witham 0-2-2, Sockabasin 1-0-2, Dill 0-1-1, Melanson 0-1-1, Richards, McCluskey, Cyr
3 pt goals: Steelman 2, Baker
