Dean Hands SMCC Women Second Loss

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine-- The Southern Maine Community College women's basketball team suffered its second loss of the season at the hands of United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division I-opponent Dean College on Saturday, Jan. 28.

Four SMCC starters finished in double-digits led by co-captain Vanese Barnes (Jay, Maine) who recorded a season-high 18 points. Senior Jennifer Conrad (Monmouth, Maine) tallied her regular 17 points, first-year Kaylah Abdul (South Berwick, Maine) with 12, and first-year Alicia Ruth (Plaistow, N.H.) 11.

SMCC strung together a 10-0 run inside the first quarter and outscored the Bulldogs by five points in the second to take a 36-32 lead into the half.

Dean led by as many as five, its largest advantage of the night, with 1:34 remaining in regulation. Both Abdul and Ruth made baskets in consecutive trips down the floor to close the deficit to one. With 22 seconds left, Conrad muscled her way to the free-throw line, making both and to give her team the lead.

With the clock winding down on the other end, Dean's Fataya Larry scored the go-ahead game winning layup as the Bulldogs escaped the HUB with the 67-66 victory. Larry's late-game heroics added to her impressive 27 points and 15 rebounds.

For those in attendance, SMCC's Athletic Trainer Nicole Spencer is happy to report Conrad is well and making a full recovery.

The SMCC women remain 11-1 in conference play, and stand 19-2 overall.

View the photo gallery of the game HERE.

The action continues when the SeaWolves play host to the Lady Linx of New Hampshire Technical Institute on Tuesday, Jan. 31 in a cross-division Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) match-up at the HUB. Tip-off is set for 8 p.m.

For the latest on SMCC's athletic programs, log onto GoSMCCSeawolves.com or follow Southern Maine Community College Athletics on Twitter @SMCCseawolves and on Facebook SMCC Seawolves.