FARMINGTON – Kari Simpson blocked the potential game-winning shot at the end of regulation, then hit two key free throws in overtime to lead the University of Maine at Farmington to a 66-62 overtime women’s basketball win over previously unbeaten and nationally-ranked Maine Maritime Academy on Wednesday.

Simpson finished with 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Beavers (13-3), while Caitlyn Laflin added 15 points and seven boards and Karen Sirois dropped in another 12. Alyssa Burns led 19th-ranked MMA (15-8) with 28 points and 11 rebounds, while Michelle Gott-Stillwell added 13 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out.

The game featured 14 lead changes and 12 ties. Simpson sent the game into overtime by rebounding a missed 3-pointer by Diriois and dropping in a layup with 29 seconds to go. UMF took a four-point lead in overtime on hoops by Amanda Byre and Laflin. Burns’ baseline jumper pulled MMA back within two. Simpson then made two free throws for UMF before Burns cut the lead in half again with a lay-up. Laflin and Sirois then each made one of two free throws to seal the win.

St. Joe’s 57, Lyndon State 56

STANDISH – Carolyn Freeman scored 18 points as St. Joseph’s College was able to hold off a late comeback attempt by Lyndon State and win, 57-56, in women’s basketball action.

St. Joe’s held a commanding 33-17 lead at the half, but shot just 32 percent in the second half as Lyndon State came charging back. Alysn Ludwig added 10 points and seven rebounds for the Monks (7-10).

Maine 74, UMBC 66

BALTIMORE, Md. – Bracey Barker popped in 15 points and hauled down 12 rebounds to lead the University of Maine to a 74-66 victory over the University of Maine at Baltimore in more women’s basketball action Wednesday.

Katie Whittier and Ashley Underwood chipped in for the Black Bears (10-8) with 14 points apiece, while Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa tallied 13 and Abby Greene added 12. Maine held an eight-point advantage at the break, the eventual margin of victory after UMBC stayed even at 37-37 in the second stanza.

Mens’ basketball

UMA 70, Hesser 67

AUGUSTA – The University of Maine at Augusta jumped out to a huge first-half lead, then made its free throws down the stretch to hold off Hesser College, 70-67, in men’s basketball action Wednesday night.

Four players reached double figures for UMA (7-6), led by Deon Cheers’ 26 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler Norris, Tristan Starbird and Dan Duplissie added 10 points each to the UMA effort. Harold Reynoso led Hesser (9-4) with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Victor Mangual added 15 points and five assists.

MMA 41, UMF 36

FARMINGTON – Derik DeFrederico scored a game-high 18 points to lead Maine Maritime to a 41-36 win over UMaine-Farmington in men’s college basketball action Wednesday night.

A free throw from Matt St. John put the Beavers ahead, 33-32, with 5:33 left to play, but that lead would be the final one of the game for UMF. Adam Haskell followed with a free throw and basket on MMA’s next two possessions to give the Mariners a 35-33 lead with 4:36 to go, and went ahead by four, 37-33 with 1:36 left to play before Eric Lelansky knocked down a 3-pointer to pull Farmington within one, 37-36, with 1:00 to play.

A pair of missed free throws gave UMF the ball with 45 seconds left to play, but Ted Neil missed a jumper, and MMA hit four of six free throws to seal the victory.

MMA (8-7), which shot 31.8 percent, received nine points and 11 rebounds from Brandon Hall, while Sean Fry led Farmington (7-9) with 13 points and seven rebounds.