With its second straight win, Southern Maine improves to 2-1 on the season. The Owls drop their third straight to dip to 0-3.
Cochran was one of three USM players to hit double-figures in scoring. The 6-1 forward was 8-for-15 from the floor and 5-for-6 from the free throw line in just 18 minutes of action. Senior guard Nicole Garland (Portland, Maine/Deering) scored a season-high 19 points on 7-for-10 shooting including four three-point field goals. Both Cochran and Garland were named to the all-tournament team.
Freshman forward Abby Hasson (South Portland, Maine) added a career-high 10 points off of the bench on a 5-for-7 effort. Hasson added four rebounds. Senior guard Kim Rivet (Bridgton, Maine/Lake Region) and sophomore guard Erin McNamara (West Newbury, Mass./Pentucket Regional) each set career-highs. Rivet recorded a career-high seven steals, while McNamara dished out seven assists.
The Owls were led by 15 points from junior guard Emily Pelletier (Fort Kent, Maine) and 14 points and six rebounds from sophomore forward Rashell Saucier (Washburn, Maine). Saucier was 7-for-10 from the field for the Owls and added a pair of steals. Senior guard Emily Moore (Lisbon, Maine) added nine points.
Holding a modest five point, 13-7 lead over the Owls following a lay-up from Saucier with 15:07 on the clock, the Huskies use a crushing 18-0 run to open up a commanding 30-7 lead. Cochran scored six of her game-high 21 points in the run that was capped by one of four of Garland's three-point field goals with 9:06 remaining in the half.
UMPI's Moore halted the scoring drought for the Owls with a lay-up on their next possession and then accounted for the Owls' next nine points as both teams traded baskets for the next three minutes.
Leading 36-16, Southern Maine used another powerful run, outscoring UMPI 14-2, to close out the half and secure a 50-18 halftime lead. Five different players scored in the run for the Huskies, led by four points from Hasson and four points from senior guard Renee Nicholas (Sebago, Maine/Lake Region).
The Huskies remained in control from the opening whistle in the second half, scoring 10 unanswered points, opening up a 60-18 lead with 16:23 to play. With the game in control, the Huskies led by as many as 48 points late in the game and cruised for the win.
After shooting 60.6 percent (20-for-33) in the first half, USM finished the game shooting 46.1 percent (35-for-76). The Huskies also had a decisive 48-22 advantage on the boards, including 23 offensive rebounds led by Cochran's seven. With 18 steals, Southern Maine forced the Owls into 33 turnovers and held them to a 39.1 percent (18-for-46) effort from the field.
Southern Maine hosts Bates College on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.) in its home-opening game. UMaine Presque Isle travels to Wesleyan University on Friday, December 2 (6:00 p.m.).
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