Husson rolls by UMPI Braves collect Bunyan crown

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BANGOR – The Husson College women’s basketball team must have taken note of the way the wind was whipping and swirling the snow around its campus Sunday afternoon.

The Braves employed a similar tactic, whipping the University of Maine-Presque Isle with waves of hustling defenders while causing many of UMPI’s 36 turnovers to earn a 62-46 victory in the championship game of the Paul Bunyan Tournament at Newman Gym.

“We’ve been telling them that we’re better than how we’ve been playing,” said Husson coach Kissy Walker. “A lot of it’s really been confidence.”

In the consolation game, UMaine-Machias thumped UM-Augusta 88-36.

Behind a cohesive transition attack, the 3-2 Braves shot 52 percent from the floor in the first half on their way to a win that should provide a boost of confidence going into the North Atlantic Conference season.

“We’re a whole new team,” said sophomore guard Holly Gracie of Frankfort, who was among Husson’s defensive catalysts with four steals.

“We’re all pretty quick and all 12 people can play any time,” added Gracie, who led Husson with 13 points. “I think that’s one of the biggest strengths we have on our team, because at any time anyone can go in and there’ll still be the same intensity.”

Husson freshman center Annie McIntosh of New Gloucester posted eight points, five rebounds and three blocked shots on her way to tourney MVP honors. She was joined on the team by Gracie, Rachel Larlee and Erica McGary of UMPI, Gill Guest of UMaine-Machias and Rachel Fury of UMaine-Augusta.

Shauna Mullenix scored 10 points for Husson, while Megan Hughes had nine with three steals and Crystal Martin netted eight with four steals. Sarah Davis racked up six steals.

Husson, which applied relentless full-court pressure, swarmed the Owls during its first-half blitz.

“We’ve been hoping to turn it around and be that same type of team where you play with that kind of pressure on the ball,” Walker said, referring to recent games against Bates and Colby.

Leading 23-12, the Braves went on an 11-3 burst that put them in command. Hughes hit a 12-footer off a Gracie steal and Gracie buried a 3-pointer after a steal by Gillian Snow.

Sarah Nason (12 points) converted a conventional three-point play for UMPI (3-5), but Stephanie Noyes answered for Husson with a driving layup and an 18-footer, then Martin made two free throws as the hosts made it 34-15 with 3:09 left in the first half.

The Braves maintained the pressure throughout, taking advantage of their considerable depth at the guard positions.

“The thing with being able to play everybody is, you can expect them to play with a lot of intensity and if they don’t, you can pull them out and put another group out there that will play hard,” Walker said.

Larlee scored 15 points for UMPI, while McGary posted 13 points and nine rebounds and Sarah Nason added 12 points.

UM-Machias 88, UM-Augusta 36

In Sunday’s consolation game, Guest led a list of five double-figure scorers with 18 points and 13 rebounds as the Clippers breezed to victory over the Moose. Angela Qualey tossed in 14 points for UMM, while UMaine-Augusta was led by Rachel Fury’s game-high 21 points and nine rebounds.

(Sunday’s Consolation Game)

UM-Machias (5-4) 88

Rich 2-4-8, Richardson 3-0-6, Ricker 3-1-7, Welles 5-0-10, Guest 9-0-18, Vega 5-0-10, Albee 0-1-1, Larochelle 4-2-10, Apatu 2-0-4, Porteus, Qualey 5-4-14

UM-Augusta (2-10) 36

Harrell 0-3-3, Fury 8-2-21, Roy, Pepin 2-1-6, Hastings, Wysocki, Spicer 2-2-6

3-pt. goals: Fury 3, Pepin

Halftime: UM-Machias 48-15

UMPI 88, UM-Augusta 67

In Saturday’s opener, the Owls poured it on by scoring 55 second-half points. McGary sparked UMPI with a game-high 26 points, 11 rebounds and four steals. Larlee posted 13 points and 10 rebounds. Fury led UM-Augusta with 21 points.

(Satruday Night)

UM-Augusta (2-9)

Harrell 7-2-16, Fury 8-3-21, Roy 0-2-2, Pepin 5-4-15, Hastings 1-1-4, Wysocki, Spicer 1-7-9

UM-Presque Isle (3-4) 88

Schloeman 1-2-4, Daniel 1-1-4, Nason 1-2-5, McGary 11-4-26, Larlee 6-1-13, Joy 3-1-7, Sutherland 2-6-11, Allan 0-2-2, Bird 1-1-3, Ploof 5-3-13

3-pt. goals: Fury 2, Pepin, Hastings; Daniel, Nason, Sutherland

Halftime: UMPI 33-29

Husson 82, UM-Machias 68

In Saturday’s nightcap, Gracie and Mullenix scored 13 points each for the Braves, who put five players in double figures. McIntosh provided 12 points, seven rebounds and five blocks. Guest connected for 21 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Clippers.

(Satruday Night)

UM-Machias (4-4) 68

Rich 2-5-11, Richardson 5-0-10, Welles 1-0-2, Guest 8-5-21, Vega 5-1-11, Apatu, Qualey, Ricker 5-2-13

Husson (2-2) 82

Martin 3-6-12, Ballard 0-2-2, Noyes 1-1-3, McIntosh 4-4-12, Merchant 2-0-4, Mullenix 4-4-13, Snow 0-1-1, Comeau 2-0-5, Hughes 2-2-6, Davis 5-0-11, Gracie 5-1-13, McIntyre

3-pt. goals: Rich 2, Ricker; Mullenix, Comeau, Davis, Gracie 2

Halftime: Husson 39-33

BRAVES 62, OWLS 46

UM-Presque Isle (3-5) Husson (3-2)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Schloeman 0 1 0 0 0 Mullenix 5 11 0 0 10

Daniel 0 3 0 0 0 Martin 3 4 8

Nason 3 6 6 7 12 Hughes 4 7 9

McGary 4 11 5 6 13 Davis 0 2 0

Larlee 7 10 0 0 15 McIntosh 4 10 0 4 8

Joy 1 2 2 2 4 Snow 0 2 0 0

Sutherland 0 2 0 0 0 Comeau 0 4 0

Allan 1 1 0 0 2 Ballard 1 4 3

Bird 0 1 0 0 0 Gracie 5 9 1 13

Noyes 2 3 0 4

Merchant 2 5 5

McIntyre 0 3 2

Totals 16 37 13 15 46 Totals 26 64 15 62

UMPI 19 46

Husson 37 62

3-pt. goals ? UMPI (1-6): Daniel 0-2, Nason 0-1, Larlee 1-2, Sutherland 0-1; Husson (4-11): Snow 0-1, Comeau 0-3, Ballard 1-1, Gracie 2-5, Merchant 1-1

Attendance: 150 (est.)