WATERVILLE – The University of Maine-Farmington schedules Colby of the New England Small College Athletic Conference because of the schools’ relative proximity and the promise of outstanding competition.

Coach Jamie Beaudoin’s Beavers got everything they wanted Tuesday night from a rebuilding White Mules squad under first-year coach Lori Gear McBride.

Karen Sirois of Augusta carried the scoring load in the first half with 18 points, then Kari Simpson shook off an 0-for-10 shooting performance in the first half to score 20 second-half points to help UM-Farmington earn a hard-fought 79-70 women’s basketball victory at Wadsworth Gym.

“And any time that we can be competitive with a Colby, Bates or a Bowdoin, I think it says a lot for our program,” Beaudoin said. “Any time we’re fortunate enough to beat one of those schools, I think our players understand it puts our program into perspective. We did a great job tonight.”

The North Atlantic Conference’s Beavers (12-3) posted their sixth straight win. They turned up the defensive intensity in the second half and paid closer attention to Colby’s 3-point shooters, limiting them to 5-for-21 accuracy after the break. The Mules made 10 in the contest.

“They flat-out shot the ball extremely well in the first half,” Beaudoin said. “We knew that if we kept working them and challenging some shots that we’d be in the game at the very end.”

Sirois, a former Cony High star, poured in a game-high 23 points on 10-for-16 shooting, including five 3-pointers. Simpson grabbed seven rebounds and went 6-for-11 from the field in the second half.

“We fought through some adversity in terms of Kari Simpson struggling in the first half to find her shot, but we were able to hang tough,” Beaudoin said. “Karen Sirois really carried us.”

Former Messalonskee of Oakland standout Melissa Sawyer contributed 14 points, including nine in the second half, and snared nine rebounds. Brandi Rideout of Mattawamkeag chipped in with seven points and six rebounds.

Sophomore forward Katie McCabe was a workhorse for Colby (6-10). She also went 10-for-16 on her way to 23 points and completed the double-double with 10 rebounds.

Tracy Nale of Waterville and Kate Emery provided 14 points each for the Mules.

“This is a great game to prepare us,” Sirois said. “Coming off this we gain some confidence going into the [conference] games this weekend.”

UMF finally took the upper hand in the seesaw game during the last six minutes. Simpson’s three-point play with 5:50 remaining gave the Beavers the lead for good, then two Sawyer foul shots and a driving layup by Sirois pushed the lead to 62-57 with 4:51 left.

Colby crept within two on a Nale 3-pointer at the 3:34 mark, but Sirois’ driving left-handed layup and a baseline move by Sawyer made it a six-point game. UMF made nine of 12 from the free-throw line to put the game away.

“There were a lot of times where we’d go up six, seven and they’d come back and might get a one-point lead,” Sirois said. “Rather than just letting them keep going, we fought back and we’d go on a run.”

McCabe made sure Colby stayed in the game, pouring in 14 second-half points with a variety of strong moves in the paint.

McCabe had nine points and 10 rebounds to help Colby take a 35-32 halftime edge. Colby led almost the entire half and was able to regain the momentum after UMF took the lead briefly.

Sirois converted a five-point play for the Beavers, nailing one of her four 3-pointers in the half. She was fouled after hitting the shot and followed with two free throws to give UMF a short-lived 29-26 lead with 5:03 to play.

McCabe then scored six points during a 9-0 spurt that put Colby on top 35-29 with 1:23 left in the half.

BEAVERS 79, WHITE MULES 70

UM-Farmington (12-3) Colby (6-10)

Player G AG F AF TP Player G AG AF TP

Cyr 1 5 1 3 3 Emery 5 10 1 14

Rideout 3 4 1 2 7 Duval 1 2 2

Simpson 6 21 8 9 20 Nale 6 15 14

Sawyer 4 12 6 8 14 Williams 2 6

Sirois 9 15 5 6 28 McCabe 10 16 23

Byrne 0 3 1 3 1 Williamsn 1 3

Boyd 0 1 0 0 0 Balboni 0 6 0 0

Johnson 1 4 0 0 2 Nicholson 1 2

Porter 2 4 0 0 4 Rosbash 2 10 6

Berry 0 0 0 0 0

Totals 26 69 22 31 79 Totals 28 68 13 70

UM-Farmington 32 79

Colby 35 70

3-pt. goals – UM-Farmington (5-23): Sirois 5-9, Simpson 0-7, Sawyer 0-4, Cyr 0-2, Byrne 0-1; Colby (10-27): Emery 3-5, Williams 2-5, Nale 2-6, Rosbash 2-10, Williamson 1-1

Attendance: 275