FARMINGTON, Maine -- University of Maine at Farmington women's basketball (11-10, 9-5) senior forward Meghan Smith (Boothbay, Maine/Boothbay Region) recorded a double-double on Friday night with 16 points and 19 rebounds in a 60-55 North Atlantic Conference loss to Maine Maritime Academy (14-7, 10-4) in Dearborn Gymnasium.
Smith's big night on the boards is tied for third all-time for most rebounds in a single game by a UMF player. The senior's 16 points came on four field goals in the paint and 8-for-13 at the foul line.Kelly Pomerleau (Turner, Maine/St. Dominic Academy) had a solid game as well with 11 points, two assists, and three steals. Pomerleau knocked down a pair of three-pointers, including one early in the third period to give the Beavers their first lead of the game. Rhi Jackson (Saco, Maine/Waynflete) added eight points for UMF off the bench.
The six-time North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Week, Alayne Felix, led all scorers with 21 points for the Mariners. Felix was dominant on the low block on 7-of-14 shooting and a perfect 5-for-5 at the line. The freshman also had seven rebounds and two assists. Kristi Willey tallied 15 points for MMA with Megan McLean contributing 13 points.
The Mariners controlled the first half and held a 22-20 advantage at the break. Coming out of the locker room, Pomerleau knocked down a pair of free throws to tie the game and then made a clutch three-pointer to boost UMF into the lead. The Beavers were rolling in the third quarter with 23 points on 7-of-16 shooting and 8-of-12 from the charity stripe.
In the fourth quarter, the Mariners opened the final period on a 10-3 run to build a comfortable lead. UMF battled back and tied the game at 55-55 after Jackson nailed a crucial three-pointer at the top of the arc at 1:48.
With 15 seconds remaining and leading 58-55, MMA missed the second of two free throws to give the Beavers a chance to tie the game once more. After a UMF timeout, the Beavers had an open look at the top of the arc, but the three-point attempt hit front iron and bounced off the backboard and into the hands of a Mariners' defensive rebounder. Willey made a pair of free throws in the last seconds to put the game out of reach for Farmington.
UMaine-Farmington has a big weekend ahead with trips to Colby-Sawyer on Friday and New England College on Saturday.