Cressler leads USM to conference final

GORHAM – Meg Cressler scored 16 points to help the University of Southern Maine defeat Keene State 63-51 Friday and advance to today’s Little East Conference women’s basketball final.

USM will play Eastern Connecticut College at 3 p.m. for the title.

Jess Libby chipped in with 12 points for the winners and Jaime Zahm added 11.

Hayley Alaimo led Keene State with 12 points.

Keene State (16-10)

Hollenrich, Mechare 3-1-9, Clarke 2-0-6, Linn 2-0-4, Clarke 1-0-2, Arsenault 1-0-2, Forsberg 4-0-8, Alaimo 4-0-12, Fargionei, Araque 3-1-8

Southern Maine (24-2)

Allen 1-6-8, Dominiczak 1-2-4, Cressler 6-2-16, Noonan 2-0-4, Zahm 3-5-11, Libby 2-7-12, Crockett 4-0-8

3-pt. goals: Mechare 2, Clarke 2, Alaimo 4, Araque; Cressler 2, Libby

Halftime: Southern Maine 29-22

Colby-Sawyer 74, U-New England 65

At New Loudon, N.H., Lisa Cole poured in 17 points and Ashley Bramwell notched 16 as the Chargers knocked off the Nor’Easters in a Commonwealth Coast Conference semifinal clash.

Missy Stults was the leading scorer for U-New England of Biddeford with 17. Melissa Roller tossed in 15, and Amanda Rodgerson added 12. Roller and Rodgerson also had seven rebounds apiece.

U-New England (17-10) 65

Roller 6-0-15, Calkins 1-0-3, Brown 2-1-5, Rodgerson 5-2-12, Stults 6-4-17, Melcher, Peterson 1-0-2, Bartolome 0-2-2, Dyer 2-3-9

Colby-Sawyer (18-8) 74

Callahan 6-0-12, DeSanty 0-4-4, Ann Sheehan 2-0-4, Moynahan 4-2-12, Bramwell 6-3-16, Peterman, Cole 5-4-17, Beaudin, Ganas 4-1-9

3-pt. goals: Roller 3, Dyer 2, Calkins, Stults; Cole 3, Moynahan 2, Bramwell

Halftime: Colby-Sawyer 41-32