ORONO – Senior Heather Ernest of Temple overcame a tough shooting day, pouring in 14 points and hauling down 12 rebounds to pace the University of Maine to a 67-56 win over Columbia in the first round of the Dead River Company Classic women’s basketball tournament Saturday at Alfond Arena.
Maine (2-1) meets Marquette in today’s championship game at 3 p.m. Marquette routed Oakland University, 73-49.
The Black Bears needed a second-half surge to turn away the Lions of the Ivy League.
Columbia (1-2) used an 11-2 run and took a 41-39 lead on Sue Altman’s 3-pointer with 13:49 remaining.
Melissa Heon (14 points) responded with a game-tying layup, triggering a run of 11 straight Maine points that included two more Heon buckets and two jumpers by Nicole Jay.
Maine’s lead shrank to three on two more occasions, but two quick baskets by Kim Corbitt denied the second Columbia rally.
The Black Bears forced 29 Columbia turnovers, leading to 28 transition points.
Altman led all scorers with 17 points for Columbia.
Ernest was 5-for-15 from the floor for Maine. She made three steals.
Heon added four assists and four thefts. Julie Veilleux chipped in 11 points and five assists.
Hockey
Harvard 6, Maine 0
BOSTON, MA- Nicole Correro scored the first of her two goals at 10:37 of the first period as Harvard downed Maine 6-0 in women’s hockey.
Angela Ruggiero and Katherine Sweet each added a pair of goals in the lopsided victory.
Lara Smart made 17 saves to register the shutout.
Bowdoin, Utica tie
WATERVILLE – Bethany Torrice scored with 4:53 left in regulation to lift Utica into a 3-3 tie with Bowdoin.
The Polar Bears (2-0-1) took their first lead in the opening minutes of the third period when Jayme Woogerd converted a relay from Kate Fomey and Kate Leonard.
Jess Burke and Marissa O’Neil chipped in a goal apiece for the Polar Bears, while Kristi Bland and Elizabeth Smith tallied for the Pioneers (3-3-1).
Manhattanville 7, Colby 4
WATERVILLE – Seven different players scored a goal to carry Manhattanville to a 7-4 win over Colby.
The Valiants (6-1-1) were paced by Darcie Jarvis and Jami Grasby with a goal and an assist apiece.
Senior co-captain Kate Sweeney and Jennifer McAleer produced a pair of goals apiece for the White Mules (0-4).
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