NAC EAST DIVISION
Maine Maritime Academy 69, Thomas College 45
CASTINE, Maine – Maine Maritime advanced into Saturday’s NAC East Division semifinal following a 69-45 victory over Thomas College in Friday night’s NAC East Division Quarterfinals.
Three Mariners finished with double-digit scoring totals, led by Evelyn Dagan with 15 points after going 5-for-9 from both field goal range and behind the arc. Dagan also recorded five rebounds and one assist.
Sydney Briscoe hauled down 10 rebounds and charted 14 points to earn herself a double-double in the quarterfinal matchup, shooting 6-for-8 from the floor. Erianna Moore also recorded 14 points and eight boards, while also dishing out eight assists.
Thomas College was led by Sky Kubwalo with 21 points (.400), six rebounds, and one assist. Kubwalo tied her game-high 21 points in Friday’s contest. Mollie Gray and Yaribel Pena had five points each.
The Mariners finished with a .42.6 percent field goal percentage and went a perfect 7-7 at the free throw line, holding the Terriers to just 31 percent shooting.
#1 seed Maine Maritime will faceoff against #2 seed Husson in the NAC East semifinal on Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2:00 PM at Smith Gymnasium in Castine, Maine. The Mariners and Eagles have played each other in the past three East Semifinal contests (2024, 2023, and 2022).
Husson University 77, UMaine-Farmington 64
CASTINE, Maine – The Husson Eagles secured a spot in the NAC Women’s Basketball East Division semifinals after defeating The University of Maine at Farmington 77-64.
The Beavers Jessica Dow and Grace Dwyer gave Farmington a 10-6 lead to start the first quarter, but the Eagles would go on a 7-0 run to take the lead. Husson had the 4-point edge ending the first quarter.
By the end of the second quarter, Husson would extend their lead by 13 and then by 16 during the third frame. However, Farmington would outscore Husson 19-14 in the third quarter to make it an 8-point game going into the final 10 minutes of the contest. Husson proved themselves in the final quarter shooting an impressive 83.3 percent (10-12) from the free throw line.
Jordyn Lengle led the Eagles with a 13-point, 15 rebound double-double performance. She also recorded two assists and three blocks. Saige Evans also finished with 13 points, eight boards, and two assists. Also scoring in double digits was Lauren Cook with 11 points.
Dow was the leading scorer for the Beavers with 20 points, four rebounds and steals, two assists, and a block. Dwyer and Jaydn Pingree recorded 15 and 11 points respectively.
Husson will play Maine Maritime in the East Division semifinal game at 2:00 PM tomorrow.
West Division
SUNY Cobleskill 92, Vermont State University Johnson 30
COBLESKILL, New York – The Fighting Tigers senior Logan Thayne tallied 32 points on 13-of-22 shooting from the field and a 5-of-10 effort from the three-point line to help lead Cobleskill to a 92-30 win over Vermont State University Johnson (3-21) in the NAC West Division quarterfinal matchup.
Cobleskill (22-4) was able to control the pace of the game from the start, scoring 31 points in the first quarter. The Cobleskill defense would hold the Badger to 23.4 percent shooting. Johnson’s best quarter was the fourth where they were able to add 16 points to their score.
Thayne continues her senior campaign with her 22nd double-double of the season (tied for first NCAA Division III). Along with her 32-point performance tonight, she recorded 13 rebounds, one block and assist.
Other playmakers included Cobleskill’s Taylor Meacham and Annie Canales. Meacham also recorded a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds while also dishing out six assists and grabbing three steals. Canales ended the night with 14 points, two boards, one assist and block.
Kristie Zator led the offense for VTSU Johnson with 11 points while also tallying four rebounds and two blocks. Riann Fortin led the Badgers in rebounds with eight boards.
Cobleskill shot 42.7 percent from the floor with 26 of their points coming from second chances.
#1 seed Cobleskill advances to the West Division semifinals and will play #3 seed Lesley University Saturday, Feb. 22 at 2:00 PM at Iorio Gymnasium in Cobleskill, New York.
Lesley University 62, Vermont State University Lyndon 58
COBLESKILL, New York – No. 3 seed Lesley University upsets No. 2 seed VTSU Lyndon 62-58 in Friday night’s West Division quarterfinal matchup to advance to their first NAC West Division semifinal game.
Getting on the scoreboard first, Lesley would keep their lead throughout the game shooting 41.1 percent from field goal range and 56.3 (9-16) from the free throw line.
Entering the final quarter down by 10, Lyndon would come back and make it a two-possession game with 14 seconds left after a made three-pointer from Kadienne Whitcomb. Lesley’s defense was able to not let Lyndon score in the final seconds of the game punching their ticket to Saturday’s semifinal contest.
Lesley’s Bella Terry led the game with 20 points, shooting 9-for-20 while also recording nine rebounds, one assist, two steals, and three blocks. Ahidali DeHuelbes shot 4-for-11 in the paint, 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, and 5-for-6 at the free throw line to tally 16 points. She also dished out nine assists and hauled down six rebounds. Leila Chisholm and Mariana Richwine both tallied 10-points for the night.
Kiara Mack was Lyndon’s leading scorer with 18 points and earning a double-double with 13 rebounds in addition to two blocks, assists, and steals. Sage Smith was another playmaker for the Hornets with 17 points, five rebounds, three assists, and two steals.
Lesley will faceoff against SUNY Cobleskill in Saturday’s West Division semifinal contest at 2:00 PM.