BRUNSWICK – Leah Rubega scored a game-high 18 points and team-high six rebounds to lead Bowdoin College to a 74-56 win over Trinity College in the women’s semifinals of the NESCAC tournament on Saturday.

With the game tied 7-7 in the early going, Claire Arnstein sparked a 10-2 Bantam (17-8) surge, hitting a pair of fast break lay-ups and a jump shot for a 17-9 lead. Arnstein led Trinity with 15 points.

With the Polar Bears (21-4) awakened, the defense clamped down and allowed just two points over the final 10:22, while forcing 10 Bantam turnovers.

Hynes had 12 points, five rebounds and five blocks for the Polar Bears, while Alexa Kaubris also saw double figures with 10 points.

Southern Maine 64, Eastern Connecticut 59

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo scored 14 points, including a pivotal late-game three, as Southern Maine defeated top-seeded Eastern Connecticut in the 2009 LEC women’s baksetball tournament championship game Saturday.

Trailing for a majority of the second half, the Warriors (25-3) fought back to tie the game twice in the final three minutes and took a three-point lead, 59-56, following a pair of free throws from senior forward Ashley McFetridge and a jumper from senior guard Nicky Morey with 2:15 to play.

But, the Huskies (22-6) were able to hold the Warriors scoreless over the final two minutes while DeMillo and junior guard Nicole Paradis vaulted their team into the lead with back-to-back threes for a 62-59 lead with 1:06 left.

Men’s hockey

Vermont 2, Maine 1

ORONO – The University of Maine men’s ice hockey team fell to Vermont 2-1 on senior night at Alfond Arena, but still clinched a berth in the Hockey East Tournament.

Early in the third period, sophomore Tanner House broke the scoreless tie for the Black Bears (12-18-4) when Brian Flynn fed the puck to Gustav Nyquist, who skated in front of the net poised for a point blank shot. Nyquist surprised goaltender Rob Madore by tapping the puck behind him to House, who ripped the shot into the net.

The Catamounts (19-8-5) took their time, but finally scored at 13:51 when Jonathan HIggins and Kyle Medvec relayed the puck to Jack Downing, who beat goalie David Wilson for a game-tying goal.

Just over two minutes later, Vermont again passed the puck quickly from right to left across the Black Bear zone, with Justin Milo scoring the game-winner.

Goalie Wilson made 20 saves for Maine, while Madore earned the win in net for Vermont with 24 saves.