Southern Maine to face Washington for crown

GORHAM – The University of Southern Maine women defeated Mount Union 79-66 on Friday night to advance to the NCAA Division III national championship basketball game.

The Huskies will play Washington University of Missouri, a 66-51 winner over Rowan University, in Saturday’s 7 p.m. final at Hill Gymnasium.

The Huskies placed five players in double figures led by Joanna Brown, who scored 18 points. Destiny Demo and Julie Plant added 16 points each. Tracy Libby netted 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds while Susan Ware fired in 10 points.

Suzy Venet tossed in a game-high 22 points for Mount Union, which will meet Rowan University in Saturday’s consolation game. Danielle Jones added 13 points and Katie Harrington and Neily Stouffer scored 10 each.

In the first semifinal, Alia Fischer scored 20 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lead Washington University to the final.

Mount Union (28-3) 66

Miller 2-0-4, Venet 9-1-22, Harrington 5-0-10, Jones 5-1-13, Fow, Simmons 1-0-3, Stouffer 4-1-10, Canning 2-0-4, Tallaczynski Southern Maine (29-2) 79

Plant 5-5-16, King 2-2-7, Ware 5-0-10, Libby 6-0-12, Brown 6-6-18, Demo 5-6-16, DeGraw

3-pt. goals: Venet 3, Jones 2, Simmons, Stouffer; Plant, King

Halftime: Southern Maine 39, Mount Union 31