Playing without two key post players, the University of Maine women’s basketball team got 17 points from Tanesha Sutton to pick up a 58-52 win over North Carolina A&T at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, Maryland at the Navy Classic Tournament Saturday afternoon.
In a game that saw 15 lead changes, NC A&T (1-4) held a slim 29-27 halftime advantage. Maine (3-2) playing without starter Fanny Wadling and key bench reserve Maeve Carroll who are out with injuries, took the lead back on a three pointer by Kelly Forgarty in the third quarter and the game was once again tied headed to the final 10 minutes. Leading 49-47, Maine got a three pointer from Sutton with 6:06 left to go up five. After a scoreless drought of 2:13, Sutton hit another three with 3:53 left to give the Bears their biggest lead of the game 55-47. The Aggies got back within five with 1:48 left, but Dor Saar and Blanca Millan hit free throws in the final minute to ice the win.
Sutton added five rebounds for Maine. Millan added 13 points, while Parise Rossignol chipped in 10. Cinia McCray and Alexus Lessears both had 10 points for NC A&T, with Lessears adding eight rebounds. Maine will face Penn (4-1) in the second and final day of the Navy Classic with tipoff scheduled for 3:15 pm Sunday.
