WALTHAM, Mass. — The Brandeis University and Bates College women’s basketball teams will meet tomorrow at 2 p.m. for the 2009 Brandeis Basketball Classic championship after posting semifinal wins tonight. The host Judges, ranked No. 9 in the nation, defeated the Wentworth Institute of Technology Leopards, 56-49, in the opener, while the Bates College Bobcats rolled past the Mt. Holyoke College Lyons, 74-51, in the second game. Wentworth and MHC will meet tomorrow at noon in the consolation game.

In the opener, Brandeis (3-0) used a 9-0 run early in the first half to turn a 7-7 contest into a 16-7 advantage on a fast-break lay-up by sophomore Bridghid Courtney with just over 10 minutes gone in the contest. Wentworth (2-1) was able to whittle the lead down to two at 21-19 with 2:24 left in the half on two Morgan Furman free throws, but the teams traded 3-pointers late in the stanza with a Jessica Chapin trifecta with six seconds on the clock giving the hosts a 29-23 lead at the break. Brandeis pushed the lead to as many as 11 in the second half, and while the Judges weren’t able to pull away, the Leopards never got any closer than a two-possession game.

In the second game, Bates trailed for most of the first four minutes of the contest, but a 14-2 run over a span of just under five minutes gave the Bobcats a 21-10 lead at the 11:04 mark. An 8-3 run over the final six-plus minutes of the stanza gave them a 31-19 lead at the break and the Bobcats cruised, leading by as many as 27 in the second half.

Senior forward Lauren Yanofsky led the way for Bates, scoring 18 points, 14 coming in the first half. She connected on eight-of-12 overall, including two-of-three from downtown. Classmate Kellie Goodridge added a double-double performance with 10 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, including six on the offensive glass. She had eight points and seven boards before halftime. Junior center Christine McCall also pitched in with 11 points off the bench. Sophomore Annie Burns had a fine performance with game-highs of five assists and three steals. The Bobcats won the battle of the turnovers, turning 22 MHC miscues into 26 points, while committing just 13 of their own and giving up 10 points on them.

UMF 57, UMPI 38

FARMINGTON — The University of Maine at Farmington and University of Southern Maine
women’s basketball teams advanced to Saturday’s final of the Dunkin’
Donuts Tip-Off Tournament with opening-round victories tonight at
Dearborn Gymnasium.

The Huskes — ranked 13th in the latest d3hoops.com poll —
dispatched Curry College 74-50, while the Beavers held off the
University of Maine at Presque Isle, 57-38. Curry and UMPI are
scheduled to meet in the consolation game at 1 p.m. on Saturday
followed by Farmington vs. USM at 3 p.m.

Farmington built a 24-point halftime advantage and coasted to the 57-38 victory over the Owls.

The
Beavers went on an 18-2 run midway through the first half on their way
to a 41-17 command at intermission. After shooting 45.7 percent (16-35)
in the first, Farmington was derailed offensively (4-25, 16 percent) in
the second half, but stymied UMPI as well (12-48 overall, 25 percent)
on its way to the win.

Caitlyn Laflin paced the Beavers with 13 points and 10 rebounds with Paige Saunders adding eight points and three blocks.

Emily Pelletier led UMPI with 11 points with Julie Peers adding eight points.

Southern Maine 74, Curry 50

Southern Maine used a 20-0 run in the first half to distance itself from the Colonels for the 74-50 victory.

The Huskies led 17-15 with 10:26 left in the second half before rolling off the game’s next 20 points over a five-minute span. Curran Leighton led the blitz with 11 points. USM forced Curry into 22 turnovers in the opening frame (34 overall).

Leighton and Nicole Paradis each scored 14 points for the Huskies, while Haley Johnson posted a double-double with 11 points and 10 boards and Renee Nichlas also scored 11 points. Nicholas led USM defensively with seven steals.

Hailey Rafferty led Curry with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Danyel Cousins pitched in 14 points.

UNE, 69, Keene State 47

KEENE, N.H. — Twelve of the thirteen players in uniform scored as the University of New England extended a two-point halftime lead out to a 69-47 win over SUNY Cobleskill in the opening game of the Keene State College Women’s Basketball Tip-Off Tournament Friday evening at Spaulding Gymnasium.

The Nor’easters (3-0) advance to Saturday’s 3 p.m. tournament final against host Keene State, a 73-64 winner over Regis College earlier in the day. Cobleskill (1-1) will meet the Pride in the consolation game at 1 p.m.

Sophomores Kari Pelletier (South Paris) and Margo Russell scored 11 points apiece to lead UNE. Classmate Kelley
Paradis chipped in with eight. Senior Katie Diggins hauled in a team-high eight rebounds.

Hockey

USM 3, St. Michaels 2

GORHAM — Junior Zach Joy scored a pair of goals, including the game-winning goal late in the second period, as the University of Southern Maine opened its 2009-2010 season by defeating Saint Michael’s College, 3-2, in an ECAC Men’s East game Friday evening at the USM Ice Arena. The game was the season opener for both teams.

Southern Maine sophomore goaltender Koray Celik registered 28 saves, including 14 in the final period when the Huskies were protecting a one-goal advantage.

The Huskies jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the opening period. Freshman Ben MacLaughlin converted a Saint Michael’s turnover into his first collegiate goal, an unassisted marker, 43 seconds into the game. Joy doubled the lead at 9:57 when he ripped a wrist shot past Saint Michael’s junior goalie Brendan Rimmer Senior Chris Travis and junior Mike Carpenter (Minot) picked up the assists.

Saint Michael’s got on the board midway through the second period when rookie Alex Davidson (South Burlington, Vt.) scored, tucking the rebound of senior Tim Geverd’s (Horsham, Pa.) shot past Celik to make it 2-1. Joy restored the Huskies’ two-goal edge at 16:59 putting a 25-foot shot from just inside the right wing circle by Rimmer. Travis and freshman Ryan Boucher (Lewiston) were credited with the assists.

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