Lady Wolves Finish Runners-Up At YSCC Championships

AUBURN, Maine—The Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) women's basketball team finished as runners-up in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) Championship Tournament over the weekend—defeating the University of Maine at Machias (UMM) on Saturday, Feb. 23, but coming up short to Central Maine Community College (CMCC) on Sunday, Feb. 24.

Prior to Final Four action at the banquet awards ceremony, both sophomore captains Amanda Brett (Portland, Maine) and Abigail Ramirez (Portland, Maine) were announced First Team All-Conference selections, and Brett YSCC Player of the Year. For the first time in her career, Katie Bergeron was named YSCC Coach of the Year.

View the photo gallery of the awards banquet HERE.

Semifinals: #3 UMM (53) vs. #2 SMCC (72)

SMCC outscored its opponent in all four quarters, netting 20 in the fourth to gain significant separation. The SeaWolves turned on the defensive pressure to force UMM into 17 turnovers and a team point total nearly 20 less than average.

Brett led all scorers in the game with 29 points, 13 rebounds, and four blocks. Ramirez was one assist shy of a triple-double going for 11 points, 11 rebounds, and nine assists.

UMM's First Team Selection Tate Dolley led her team with 18 points and 11 rebounds.

Finals: #2 SMCC (52) vs. #1 CMCC (71)

Starting slow, the SeaWolves wouldn't recover from a 10-point first quarter deficit. SMCC improved as time wore on, outscoring CMCC in the fourth, but it was the three-peat champions who were in the driver's seat in front of their home crowd. CMCC converted on 44.3 percent from the floor, getting 24 points from deep bench play.

Again, Brett led all scorers with 26 points on 9-22 from the floor. The steady post presence pulled down seven rebounds to go along with two blocks. Ramirez was next to contribute 12 points and five steals.

CMCC's First Team selection Brooke Reynolds led her squad with a monster stat line—24 points, 17 rebounds, and eight steals on 11-15 shooting.

Following the contest, Brett was named Tournament Most Outstanding Defensive Player.

The Lady SeaWolves extend their season earning an at-large bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division 2 National Tournament beginning this weekend in Uniontown, Penn. The SMCC women will go in as the #8-seed to match up with #9 Penn State Fayette. The first round tip-off is scheduled for Sunday, Mar. 3 at 12 p.m.

For more information including how to watch the tournament, visit: http://basketball.theuscaa.com/landing/index

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.