CONCORD, NH- The University of Maine Augusta women’s basketball opened up their second half of the season Saturday afternoon with a 62-57 win over Berkeley College (NY) at the New Years Classic in non-conference action played at New Hampshire Technical College.
Berkeley (4-5) scored a quick four points for their only lead, but UMA took an 8-6 lead on a Hope Butler jumpshot at the 6:33 mark and would never trail again. The Moose led 20-15 at the end of the first quarter. They built the lead to eight nine in the second quarter, after the Knights did get within one at 25-24. UMA scored eight points in a row capped off by a Madeline Suhr layup, and the Moose led 34-31 at the break.
Three points is the closest Berkeley would get beginning the third quarter, as the Moose increased the advantage to 56-45 headed to the fourth quarter. UMA (8-4) went cold to begin the fourth quarter allowing the Knights back into the game. They would cut it to 56-53 on a Kaina Martinez layup with 5:23 left. The Moose didn’t score a point until Butler hit a layup over five minutes into the quarter to build back a five point lead. Berkeley cut it to four on a pair of free throws from Amirah Green with under a minute left but go no closer, as UMA broke a two game losing streak.
Suhr lead University of Maine-Augusta with 19 points and six rebounds. Sydney Leblanc had 16 points and four rebounds, while Butler had 12 points, seven rebounds, and five assists. Martinez had 19 points and seven steals for Berkeley. Sabriana Franck had 15 points, six rebounds, and three steals. Greene finished with 13 points, seven rebounds, and three steals. UMA next plays at Vermont Tech on January 18 at 1 p.m. The Moose were ranked #8 in the country in the most recent USCAA Div II national coaches poll.
