SeaWolves Reach New Heights, Fall In USCAA Semis

UNIONTOWN, Pa. – The #4 Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) women's basketball team concluded its 2016-17 season in a 62-46 loss to state rival #1 Central Maine Community College (CMCC) in the Final Four round of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) National Tournament on Friday, Mar. 3.

First-year Kaylah Abdul (South Berwick, Maine) poured in 16 points, 13 in the first half, and added five rebounds in 37 minutes of action. Abdul made a season-high nine free-throws in her efforts. Senior Jennifer Conrad (Monmouth, Maine) finished with 12 points as co-captain Vanese Barnes (Jay, Maine) followed suit with nine.

Three finished in double-digits for the Mustangs, Brook Reynolds leading her squad with 16 points on 87.5 percent shooting (7-8). Jenny Schlim notched a double-double for the top seed with 13 points and 11 rebounds.

Playing like there was no tomorrow, SMCC kept pace with Central Maine executing its press breaker and finding a way to the rim. Although the SeaWolves were limited to just five field goals in the first half, they knocked down 15 of 18 free throws (83.3 percent) as opposed to the Mustangs' 0-1. SMCC went for 18 points in the second, its biggest quarter of the evening, to narrowly trail at the end of the first half.

SMCC never led in the game, but evened the score 29-29 on its first bucket coming out in the third quarter. The Mustangs started the fourth on a 9-0 run to lead by as much as 12 points. The SeaWolves gave it one last push on consecutive baskets from Barnes and Alicia Ruth (Plaistow, N.H.) but a comeback proved too late as time expired.

In her first season as Head Coach, Katie Bergeron and assistants Sarah Assante and Patrick Haviland capped the season on a high note as the only team in program history to reach the semi-final game in the USCAA tournament.

View the photo gallery of the game HERE.

The SeaWolves finish the season 24-5 overall.

Central Maine will advance to play #2 Penn State University Lehigh Valley in the USCAA Division II National Championship Game on Saturday, Mar. 4 at 6 p.m. The Mustangs look to be the first women's college basketball team to bring a national title to Maine. 

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.