USM women top Susquehanna

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Allison Gagnon scored 24 points and made 10 assists to key the University of Southern Maine women to an 83-74 victory over Susquehanna University of Selinsgrove, Pa., here Friday at the NCAA Division III Northeast Tournament semifinals.

Southern Maine will play Eastern Connecticut State University, a 71-62 winner over Moravian College, at 7:30 p.m. Saturday in the championship game. The winner of that game will go to the Division III Final Four.

For the 23-6 Southern Maine Huskies, Laura Pate and Katariina Pulkkinen scored 23 and 22 points, respectively. Lynne Wheeler and Kerry Eaton each had 13 rebounds. Gagnon was 12 for 12 from the free-throw line.

Kristie Maravelli scored 28 points to lead the 23-5 Crusaders. Jennifer Winter scored 20 points.

Southern Maine (83)

Chessie (1), Pinette, Gagnon 6(12), Pate 9(4), McAlinden 1, Wheeler 2, Presby, Eaton 3(1), Pulkkinen 11 Susquehana (74)

Rosini, Butcher, Winter 8(2), McCord 1, Maravelli 10(6), Page, Pankuck 4(1), Young 1(2), Gummo 1, Whitesel 1, Martino 2(1), Nicodemus 1

3-pt. goals: Pate; Winter 2, Maravelli 2

Halftime: Susquehanna 35-33