Click here for the NCAA Tournament photo gallery

3/27/06

Simpson Earns ECAC Honors

Junior forward Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) already an All-Maine and de3hoops.com honoree, earned All-ECAC (honorable mention) honors, as recently announced by the conference.

Simpson averaged 18.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for the 24-5 Beavers, which advanced to their first-ever NCAA Tournament by beating Maine Maritime, 55-53, in the NAC championship.  Simpson earned tournament MVP honors, averaging 27.3 points per game during NAC play and scored 23 in UMF’s NCAA first-round loss to Norwich.

In the three NAC tournament games, Simpson averaged 27.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals per contest, shooting 53.8% from the floor and 46.7% from three-point range. In the quarterfinals versus Thomas, she finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks. In the semifinals against Lasell, Simpson set a NAC record by scoring 41 points (on 17-of-21 shooting from the floor). In the championship game, she led the Beavers with 18 points and eight rebounds and hit four key free throws in the final minutes to preserve the victory.

3/17/06

Simpson Earns Third-Team All-New England Honors

Junior forward Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) added another honor to her basketball resume, this time earning Third Team All-New England honors from the New England Women’s Basketball Association.  Simpson is believed to be the first UMF player to earn All-New England honors.

A First Team All-NAC pick, Simpson enjoyed an outstanding season and was named the Most Valuable Player of the NAC Tournament, averaging 27.3 points and 10.3 rebounds in those three contests.  A four-time conference player of the week honoree, she led the Beavers in scoring (18.3), rebounding (8.4), three-pointers (47), free throw shooting (.872), steals (85) and blocks (42), all while playing her best basketball when it mattered most – in the postseason.  After scoring her 1,000^th career point during the regular season, she finished the year ranked second all-time, just 21 shy of Dawn Ann Higgins’ mark.  She was also a First Team All-Maine pick.

3/6/06

Simpson Named to All-Maine Squad, Honored by d3hoops.com

Junior forward Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) picked up two additional awards today, earning First Team All-Maine honors from the Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and recognition as a member of the d3hoops.com Team of the Week.

Simpson, the lone UMF player honored by the Maine coaches, averaged 18.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for the 24-5 Beavers, which advanced to their first-ever NCAA Tournament by beating Maine Maritime, 55-53, in the NAC championship.  Simpson earned tournament MVP honors, averaging 27.3 points per game during NAC play and scored 23 in UMF’s NCAA first-round loss to Norwich.

In the three NAC tournament games, Simpson averaged 27.3 points, 10.3 rebounds and 3.3 steals per contest, shooting 53.8% from the floor and 46.7% from three-point range. In the quarterfinals versus Thomas, she finished with 23 points, 16 rebounds, five assists, three steals and three blocks. In the semifinals against Lasell, Simpson set a NAC record by scoring 41 points (on 17-of-21 shooting from the floor). In the championship game, she led the Beavers with 18 points and eight rebounds and hit four key free throws in the final minutes to preserve the victory.

3/3/06

FARMINGTON FALLS IN NCAA TOURNEY OPENER, 76-63

A 16-2 run to start the game was not enough tonight, as the UMF women’s basketball team fell to Norwich, 76-63, in its first-ever NCAA Tournament game.  The NAC Champion Beavers, who finished the season at 24-5, were led by Kari Simpson (Wells, ME), who finished the contest with a game-high 23 points.

A turnaround jumper from Simpson at the 13:42 mark increased the lead to 16-2, providing a quick cushion for the Beavers, who saw their lead cut to two, 18-16, at the 10:08 mark following a 14-2 run by the Cadets. 

A Simpson lay-up and three-pointer from Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) gave the Beavers an early 5-2 lead, while a Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) lay-up pushed the lead to 10-2 with 15:02 remaining and prompted a Norwich timeout.  Once the gap was closed to two, 18-16, Megan Boyd (Kittery, ME) drilled a pair of three’s to calm the Cadets’ momentum shift and keep UMF in the lead, 24-18, with just under nine minutes to play.  Norwich then outscored UMF, 6-2, over the next three minutes, using back-to-back baskets from Allison Flynn and Sarah Chap to tie the game, 26-26, before Amanda Byrne (Winslow, ME) answered with a three-pointer at the 4:23 mark to give the Beavers a 29-26 lead.  The Cadets stayed close, but a three-pointer from Sirois at the 1:00 mark gave UMF a 34-30 lead before a Chap basket closed the gap to 34-32 heading into the break.

UMF maintained a narrow lead through the opening minutes of the second half but Norwich, trailing 46-45, went on a 9-0 run to take a 53-46 lead with 10:42 to play, the Cadets’ largest lead of the game to that point.  Kayleigh Shappy converted a lay-up to start the run and closed it with a long-range three-pointer at the 10:48 mark before a Simpson basket drew the Beavers within six, 53-47, with 10:41 to play and added a three-pointer at the 9:13 mark to cut the lead to five, 55-50.  A pair of Sawyer free throws cut the lead to three, 57-54, but the Cadets countered with a 6-0 run to pull away at 63-54, with 5:48 remaining in the game.  Neither team scored over the next two minutes, as the Beavers misfired on six-straight field goals and a pair of free throws.  A Sirois free throw and basket by Sawyer cut the lead to six, 64-58, with 2:15 to play but Norwich’s Kaitlin Bailey answered with a lay-up to push the lead back to eight inside two minutes to play.    Another Chap lay-up at the 1:26 mark gave Norwich its largest lead, 68-58.  After a timeout, Sirois knocked down a long-range three-pointer from the wing to cut the lead to seven, 68-61, with 1:16 to play.   Norwich’s ability to hit its free throws down the stretch accounted for much of the remaining margin of victory.

Sirois and Sawyer rounded out the double-figures scorers for UMF with 15 and 12, respectively, while Sirois handed out a game-high nine assists.  Box Score

Beavers Set for First-Ever NCAA Game on Friday Night

The UMF women’s basketball team will play its first-ever NCAA Division III Tournament game this Friday night, at 6pm, when it faces Norwich University at the University of Southern Maine. UMF (24-4) advanced to the tournament by winning the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) title, while Norwich (24-4) captured the GNAC crown.  It is believed to be the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Full story

2/25/06

UMF Women Headed to NCAA Tourney After Bouncing MMA in NAC Finals, 55-53

Two intense regular-season contests set the stage for today’s final of the NAC Women’s Basketball Tournament and, after losing two close games, the UMF women’s basketball team (22-4) defeated Maine Maritime, 65-63, in the one that mattered most.  A Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) lay-up at the 1:41 mark snapped the 10^th tie of the game and provided the winning margin for the Beavers, who are advancing to their first-ever NCAA Tournament.  Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) captured tournament MVP honors, leading all scorers with 18 points.

UMF led by six, 49-43, with 8:52 remaining following an Erin Porter (Bangor, ME) basket but MMA fought back to knot the game at 50-50 following a pair of Julie Knights free throws with 5:38 remaining.  Simpson hit the first of two free throws to put UMF ahead, but the Mariners took a 52-51 lead on a Knights lay-up moments later before Simpson hit a pair to return the lead to the Beavers, 53-52, with 2:25 remaining.  Knights returned to the line on the next possession, but missed her first foul shot before tying the game on the second, which set the stage for Sawyer, who converted a pass from Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) to put the Beavers ahead once again.  MMA had two chanced to retaliate, but a turnover and missed jumper sealed its fate.

Maine Maritime led by as many as seven, 16-9, in the opening half and held a 21-15 lead with 7:24 remaining before Farmington closed the half with a 14-6 run to take a two-point lead into the break. 

Sirois joined Simpson on the All-Tournament team.

The pairings for the NCAA Tournament will be announced on Monday morning, February 27.  Box Score

2/24/06

Simpson’s 41 Lead UMF Women Past Lasell

Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) dropped in a career-high 41 as the UMF Beavers (23-4) defeated Lasell, 81-64, to advance to the NAC Championship contest vs. top-seeded Maine Maritime for the second-consecutive season.

The game opened with a flurry, both teams scoring early and often.  After trading baskets for the first few minutes, the game was tied at 11 when Simpson stole the ball and finished off a lay up. A Simpson three at 14:12 gave UMF the lead, but the Lazers wouldn’t go away, and after trading baskets several times, the game was tied at 25 on a Theresa Allen free throw. UMF then exploded for a 14-3 run powered by Simpson who finished the first half with 22 points as the Beavers led, 39-34, at the break.

Farmington opened the second half with a 12-5 run, and although the Lazers tried to hang in, at the 10:00 minute mark in the second half the lead had grown to ten, 57-47. Farmington controlled the tempo of most of the second half, with Simpson adding another 19 to her total.

Simpson had a huge night for the Beavers scoring a game-high 41 points on 17-of-21 shooting, including 5-7 from beyond the arc. Melissa Sawyer, (Oakland, ME) added 13 points and Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) had six steals to go with eight points. 

UMF and MMA will meet at 1:00 pm.  Box Score

2/23/06

Simpson, Sawyer, Sirois Earn All-League Honors

Junior forward Kari Simpson (Wells, ME), for the third-straight season, earned First Team All-North Atlantic Conference (NAC) honors as one of three UMF players to receive postseason accolades this season.  In addition, senior Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) was named to the All-NAC Second Team and junior point guard Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) was an honorable mention pick.  MMA’s Alyssa Burns was named the NAC Player of the Year for the second-straight season.

Simpson leads UMF in both scoring (17.2) and rebounding (8.7) and is also the team leader in steals (77), blocks (38), three-pointers (38) and free throw shooting (.879).  She is coming off a 23-point, 16-rebound effort in UMF’s NAC quarterfinal win over Thomas and has reached double-figure point totals in 19 of 23 games this season (scoring nine in each of the remaining four contests), while posting 11 double-doubles.  She has nine games of 20+ points, including 28 on three separate occasions.

Sawyer, who is second on UMF in both scoring (10.3) and rebounding (7.0), reached double figures in points on 15 occasions this season and posted a pair of double-doubles.  She scored a season high 21 on Jan. 22 vs. Elms and had 11 points and six rebounds in the Beavers’ win over Thomas earlier this week.

Sirois leads the UMF squad in assists with 99 and is third in scoring at 9.7/game.  She recorded a season-high nine assists at Maine Maritime on Feb. 14 and also finished with eight in a win over Bates on Dec. 6.  Sirois reached double-digits in scoring 11 times during the season, including a pair of 20 point efforts – 28 points vs. Colby on Jan. 24 and 23 points vs. Plymouth State on Jan. 8.

The Beavers return to action on Friday night, when they face Lasell in the semifinals of the NAC Tournament.  The game, to be played at Maine Maritime in Castine, is set to begin at 6:00 p.m.

2/21/06

UMF Women Rally to Upend Thomas, 78-66, and Advance in NAC Tournament

Junior Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) scored a game-high 23 points – 21 in the second half – and grabbed 13 rebounds to lead the UMF women’s basketball team to a 78-66 win over Thomas (15-11) tonight in Farmington.  The Beavers (22-4) overcame a 15-2 deficit to open the game, outscoring Thomas 54-34 in the decisive second period.

Thomas opened the game with a 15-2 run as UMF missed 15 of its first 18 shots.  A three-pointer from Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME) cut the lead to nine ,18-9, at the 8:12 mark, but Thomas’ Lea McNary (Marlborough, CT) responded with a basket to push the Terriers’ lead to 11, 20-9, with 6:19 to play.  Following a Thomas timeout, Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) knocked down a three to cut the lead to eight, 20-12, and added a lay-up at the 3:21 mark to pull UMF within three, 25-22.  Thomas responded with a 7-0 run, capped by a three-pointer from Amy Wiles (Waldo, ME) and took a 32-24 lead into the break.

UMF opened the second half with an 8-0 spurt, keyed by a three-pointer from Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME), which started the scoring.  Simpson added a jumper and three-pointer on successive possessions during the run to forge a 32-32 tie with 17:46 left in the game.  Following a pair of free throw by Thomas, Sirois finished off a three-point play to give the Beavers their first lead since the game’s opening basket, 35-33, with 17:01 remaining.  Miles responded with a jumper to tie the game, but UMF regained the lead on its next possession following a Simpson basket and led the remainder of the game.  Thomas closed to seven, 59-52 at the 4:45 mark, but Cyr responded with a three at the 4:37 mark to re-extend the lead to double figures, 62-52. 

Cyr and Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) added 11 points apiece for the Beavers, while Sirois chipped in with 10 and registered five assists.  Miles led Thomas with 17 and Toby Martin (Wayne, ME) added 15.  After shooting just 27.3% in the opening half, UMF hit at a 51.4% clip in the second half and held Thomas to just 3-of-18 shooting from beyond the arc in the second half.  Box Score

2/18/06

UMF Women Close Regular Season with an 83-69 Win over Lasell

After a slow start, the UMF women’s basketball team used a 12-0 run at the close of the opening half to pull away from Lasell on its way to an 83-69 win in the regular season finale for both teams.  Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) led the Beavers (21-4, 15-2 NAC) with 19 points and nine rebounds, while Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) finished with nine points and 11 rebounds.

Lasell held a 24-19 lead with 4:38 remaining, but the Beavers closed out the half with a 12-0 run, highlighted by a three-pointer from Megan Boyd (Kittery, ME) at the 2:02 mark, which gave UMF a 26-24 lead with 2:02 left.  A three from Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) with 1:26 remaining closed out the run and gave UMF 31-24 lead at the half. 

UMF opened the second half with a 12-2 run, pushing its lead to 43-26 with 16:33 remaining following another Boyd three-pointer.  The lead grew to as many as 16, but Lasell cut it to nine, 61-52, with 7:27 following a pair of free throws at the 7:38 mark.  A second-chance basket from Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) and an ensuing free throw gave UMF a 64-52 lead and a lay-up from Erin Porter (Bangor, ME) at the 6:13 mark increased it to 66-52 prior to a Lasell timeout.  

Porter followed Simpson with 10 points while Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) added eight points and seven assists.  Mandi Rapisardi led Lasell (14-11, 13-5 NAC ) with 25 points, setting the school’s career record for points with her final basket of the game.  Courtney Casserly added 16.

UMF will host Thomas a NAC quarterfinal game on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m.  Box Score

2/17/06

UMF Women Cruise Past Mt. Ida, 72-44

The UMF women’s basketball team reached the 20-win mark for the fourth-straight season with a 72-44 win over Mt. Ida (6-18, 6-10) tonight.  The Beavers (20-4, 14-2 NAC) built a 49-14 halftime lead en route to their 14^th win in their last 15 games as Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) scored 12 of her game-high 14 points in the opening period of play.

Holding an 11-8 lead, UMF put together a 23-2 run to take a 34-10 lead 7:52 remaining in the opening half.  Simpson scored seven points during the run, while Erin Johnson (Bangor, ME) converted all three shots on her way to an eight-point effort in the opening half.  The lead grew to 31, 45-14, following an Erin Johnson (Bailey Island, ME) basket and took a 35-point edge into the locker room. 

Although Mt. Ida outscored the Beavers, 30-23, in the second half, UMF’s first-half blitz proved too great to overcome for the Mustangs. Johnson finished with 10 points on 5-of-7 shooting, joined by Simpson as double-figure scorers.  Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) added nine points.  Kristin Santos led Mt. Ida with 13 points, while Adrienne Xenos added 11 points and eight rebounds.

UMF returns to action at 1pm tomorrow, when it hosts Lasell in its final regular season game.  Box Score

2/16/06

UMF Women’s Basketball Earns First-Ever NCAA Regional Ranking

The UMF women’s basketball team, under the direction of head coach Jamie Beaudoin, has been ranked seventh in the latest NCAA Northeast regional rankings, released on Monday, February 12.  The Beavers (19-4, 13-2 NAC) were ranked on the strength of their 13-game winning streak, which came to an end with a 65-60 loss to Maine Maritime on Tuesday evening.

Of the six teams ranked ahead of UMF, four are ranked in the national top 25 by d3hoops.com.  Bates, which is ranked sixth in the region and captured the NESCAC regular season championship, fell to UMF, 62-59, on December 6.

The Beavers return to action with their final two regular season games this weekend, hosting Mt. Ida (5:30 p.m.) on Friday night and Lasell (1:00 p.m.) on Saturday.  The NAC quarterfinals will be held at Dearborn Gymnasium on Tuesday, Feb. 21, with the time and opponent yet to be determined.

2/14/06

UMF Women’s Streak Ends at 13 in 65-60 Loss to MMA

The UMF women’s basketball team saw its 13-game winning streak come to an end tonight in Castine, as the Beavers fell to Maine Maritime, 65-60, in a battle between two teams previously tied for first place in the conference standings.  The frontcourt combo of Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) and Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) combined for 37 points, but it was the MMA duo of Alyssa Burns (16 points) and Julie Knights (18 points) that emerged victorious.  With the loss, UMF is now 19-4 overall and 13-2 in conference action while MMA is 20-3 overall and 13-1 in NAC action.

The game was close throughout, with UMF building a 19-13 midway through the opening half on a Sawyer lay-up at the 9:08 mark before the Mariners used a 13-1 run to take a 26-20 lead of their own with 3:25 left to play.  The lead was cut to one, 27-26, at the break on a three-pointer from Simpson to end the half.

The lead wobbled back and forth in the opening minutes of the second half before MMA went ahead by eight, 44-36 following a Burns basket at the 12:40 mark.  The lead grew to 10 four minutes later and after Sawyer cut the lead to 63-60 with 1:16 left, Burns sealed the game with a pair of free throws in the closing seconds.  Box Score

2/11/06

2/8/06

Beavers Knock off Husson, 65-44, for 12^th-Straight Victory

Megan Cyr (Howland, ME) and Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) each scored 12 points to lead the UMF women’s basketball team (18-3, 12-1 NAC) to a 65-44 win over Husson tonight in Farmington.  The Beavers also received 10 points from Kari Simpson (Wells, ME), building a 34-17 halftime lead on their way to victory. 

UMF hit seven of its first 10 shots from the floor, including all four three-point attempts, on its way to a 20-10 lead with 11:46 remaining.  The lead grew to 15, 31-16, on a Cyr three-pointer at the 4:44 mark and a three-point play from Brandi Rideout (Mattawamkeag, ME) finished off the scoring, accounting for the Beavers’ 17-point advantage.  The lead grew to 31, 48-17, following an Erin Johnson (Bailey Island, ME) jumper at the 15:05 mark of the second half before Husson cut it to 17 in the closing minutes of play.

Simpson and Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) led the Beavers with six rebounds apiece, while Husson was paced by Stephanie Noyes with 11 and Annie McIntosh with 10.  Box Score

2/5/06

UMF Women’s Basketball Makes It 10 in a Row

Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) tallied a team-high 11 points and led a balanced attack as the UMF Women’s Basketball team (17-3, 11-1 NAC) won for its tenth-straight game, this time a 74-29 win over Bay Path in Springfield, MA.  Brandi Rideout (Mattawamkeag, ME) and Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) added nine apiece for the Beavers, which placed 12 players in the scoring column and had all 14 players see at least 12 minutes of court time.  Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME) added eight points, as did Erin Johnson (Bailey Island, ME), who hauled down six rebounds.

UMF led 41-14 at the half and outscored Bay Path (0-14, 0-12 NAC) 31-15 in the second half.  UMF returns to action on Wednesday, when it hosts Husson at 5:30 p.m.  Box Score

2/4/06

UMF Women Make It Nine in a Row with 72-41 Win at Lesley

Junior Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) led all scorers with 22 points and Brandi Rideout (Mattawamkeag, ME) added 12 as the UMF women’s basketball team ran its win streak to nine with a 72-41 win at Lesley.  The Beavers (16-3, 10-1 NAC) led 41-23 at the half and allowed just 18 second-half points in the victory.

A pair of lay-ups from Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) gave UMF a quick 4-0 lead as the Beavers led from start to finish.  Lesley cut the lead to 14-12 with 10:20 remaining, but UMF responded with a 14-2 run that extended the lead to 12, 26-12, with 5:49 left to play in the opening half, as Rideout scored eight points during the pivotal stretch.  A pair of free throws from Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) increaded the lead to 36-18 with 2:51 left to play and a three-pointer at the buzzer from Meagan Boyd (Kittery, ME) closed the first half scoring. 

Simpson also led UMF with 11 rebounds for her eighth double-double of the season.  Eleven different players scored for UMF.  Box Score

2/2/06

Simpson Leads UMF Women Past Saint Joes, 84-46, For Ninth-Straight Win

Junior Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) tied her career-high with 28 points to lead the UMF women’s basketball team (15-3) to its ninth-straight victory, an 84-46 win over Saint Joe’s (7-11) tonight at Dearborn Gymnasium.  Simpson scored 17 in the opening half on 8-of-11 shooting as the Beavers built a 46-28 lead on their way to victory.

UMF held a 15-10 lead with 15:34 left in the opening half before a 13-3 run increased the lead to 10, 28-18, followed back-to-back baskets from Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) and Sirois.  The Beavers pushed the lead to 17, 39-22, following an Amanda Byrne (Winslow, ME) layup with just over four minutes remaining and took an 18-point advantage into the break following Simpson’s lay-up with :04 remaining.  UMF forced 17 first-half turnovers on the defensive end.

In the second half, the Beavers continued the defensive pressure and used 13-0 run to increase the lead to 34, 67-34, on a put-back from Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) at the 11:47 mark.  The lead swelled to 40, 82-42, on a lay-up from Katelyn Ross (Belfast, ME) with 2:33 left to play.

UMF shot an even 50.0% for the game, as Sirois added 12 points on 5-of-9 shooting.  Byrne and Erin Porter (Bangor, ME) added seven apiece to the balanced attack, which featured 12 different players in the scoring column.  Simpson added a team-high eight rebounds and six assists for the Beavers.  Saint Joe’s, which managed just five second-half field goals and turned the ball over 34 times, was led by Marie Lint and Kaylin Ragula with 12 and 10 points, respectively.  Box Score

UMF-Lesley Game Times Changed, Location Announced      

The Saturday, February 4 doubleheader between UMF and Lesley will take place at BB&N in Cambridge, not on campus at Lesley College.  The men’s game will take place at 7:30 p.m., while the women will tip-off at 5:30 p.m.

1/2/8/06

UMF Women Run Win Streak to Eight with 68-47 Win over Castleton

Senior Brandi Rideout (Mattawamkeag, ME) scored 13 points and freshman Samantha Wiley (Lincoln, ME) added 11 to lead the UMF women’s basketball team (14-3, 9-1 NAC) to a 68-47 win over Castleton State this afternoon in Castleton.  UMF also extended its winning streak to eight games.

Holding a 30-26 lead at the half, the Beavers used a 12-5 run at the start of the second half to pull away for the victory.  Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) led UMF with 10 rebounds and contributed six points to the winning cause.  Box Score

UMF Women Stifle Johnson State in 69-34 Win

Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) scored a game-high 16 points and Megan Boyd (Kittery, ME) added 10 to lead the UMF women’s basketball team to a 69-34 win over Johnson State this afternoon, extending the Beavers’ winning streak to seven games.  The Beavers held Johnson State to just 11 field goals and 20.8% shooting from the floor.

A pair of free throws and a three-pointer on back-to-back possessions by Simpson snapped a 4-4 tie and gave UMF a 9-4 lead with 16:14 remaining – a lead that grew to as high as 12 in the opening half following a Simpson three at the 5:27 mark.  In the second half, a pair of free throws from Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME) at the 12:34 mark, pushing the lead to 27.  The lead grew to 36 at the 6:00 mark following a pair of Erin Johnson (Bailey Island, ME), 63-27, and reached as high as 37.

Cyr added nine points for UMF (13-3, 8-1) as 12 players played at least 10 minutes in the contest.  The Beavers return to action at Castleton State tomorrow for a 3:00 p.m. contest.

1/24/06

UMF Women Rally Back to Beat Colby, 79-70, For Sixth-Straight Win

After missing all 10 shots in the opening half, junior Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) rebounded to score 20 in the second stanza and lead the UMF women’s basketball team to a come-from-behind, 79-70 victory over Colby (6-9) in Waterville.  The Beavers received an outstanding effort from junior Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME), who knocked down five three-pointers on her way to a season-high 28 points as the Beavers (12-3) won for the sixth-time in a row.

Trailing by three, 35-32, at the half, Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) converted a lay-up and Sirois knocked down a three-pointer to tie the game at 37-37 with 18:43 left to play.  Simpson then scored the next 13 points for UMF in the span of 6:40 to give the Beavers a 50-48 edge with just over 11 minutes remaining.  After falling behind by two, Simpson connected on a lay-up at the 5:57 mark to forge the fourth tie of the half and hit an ensuing free throw to give UMF a 58-57 lead.  A pair of free throws from Sawyer and a lay-up by Sirois pushed the lead to five as the Beavers led the rest of the way. 

Sawyer turned in another solid performance, adding 14 points and nine rebounds, as UMF out-rebounded the Mules, 58-34.  Box Score

1/23/06

Simpson Earns Weekly NAC Honors

Women’s basketball player Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) was named the NAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week, while men’s player Travis Carrier (Auburn, ME) was named the NAC Men’s Basketball Co-Player of the week for the week ending Sunday, January 22. 

Simpson led UMF to a 3-0 conference week averaging 16.3 points, 11.0 rebounds and 3.7 steals for the Beavers. The junior forward opened the week with a 20-point, 16-rebound effort in a win at Husson. Simpson then scored 16 points with six boards - all in the first half - UMF's win over Becker, reaching the 1,000-point mark for her career, and closed the weekend with a 13-point, 11-rebound effort against Elms, adding six assists, two blocks and four steals to close out the perfect week.  This is the third time already this season that Simpson has earned NAC honors.

1/22/06

1/21/06

Simpson Reaches 1,000-Point Mark in UMF’s 86-30 Win over Becker

Needing 16 points to reach the 1,000-point mark in her career, junior Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) scored just that in the opening half as the UMF women’s team built a 45-17 halftime lead on its way to a 86-30 win over Becker this afternoon at Deaborn Gymnasium.  With the victory, UMF extends its winning streak to four games and improves to 10-3 overall and 6-1 in conference play.  In addition, UMF has outscored the opposition by an average of 47 points in its last four contests.

Simpson scored five points in the opening 1:15 of the game, knocking down a lay-up and a three-pointer on consecutive possessions as the Beavers opened the game with an 8-1 lead and pushed their advantaged to double digits, 19-9, on another Simpson lay-up at the 15:34 mark.  Simpson pulled to within two of the milestone on a three-pointer with 7:30 left to play that also extended UMF’s lead to 35-14.  She then uncharacteristically missed a pair of free throws minutes later but reached the mark on a steal and breakaway lay-up with 3:42 left in the opening half.

The sizeable halftime margin allowed UMF to rest its starters as Sarah Wyman (Damariscotta, ME) led second half scorers with seven points.  In addition to Simpson’s 16-point effort, Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME) and Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) added 13 apiece.  Cyr knocked down three three-pointers.   Becker (4-9, 0-6 NAC) was led by Brittany Evans with eight points.

The Beavers return to action tomorrow, hosting Elms at 3 pm.  Box Score

1/18/06

UMF Women Roll to 42-Point Victory at Husson, 95-53

The UMF women's basketball team extended its winning streak to three with a 95-53 win at Husson College this evening, registering a season-high for points.  The Beavers are now 9-3 overall and 5-1 in NAC play.  

UMF placed five players in double-figures, led by Kari Simpson (Wells, ME), who dropped in a game-high 20 points and added 16 rebounds, two blocks and four steals.  Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME) and Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) added 14 and 12, respectively, while Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) and Brandi Rideout (Mattawamkeag, ME) chipped in with 10 apiece. 

Box Score

1/15/06

UMF Women Defeat Wheelock, 76-31, to Round out 2-0 Weekend

For the second time in as many days, the UMF women’s basketball team jumped out to a 30-point halftime lead, this time on its way to a 76-31 victory over Wheelock in Boston, completing a 2-0 NAC weekend for the Beavers. 

Freshman Erin Porter (Bangor, ME) knocked down a jumper and a pair of free throws on successive possessions to give UMF a 17-7 lead with 11:58 remaining in the opening half as the Beavers used five-straight points from Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) and a three-pointer from Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) to start play with an 8-5 lead through the first five minutes.

The Beavers’ lead swelled to as many as 28 on a Simpson three-pointer in the closing minute of the opening half, which capped a 27-8 run.  Simpson and fellow forward Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) combined for 19 points to lead the charge.

A Simpson three-pointer and a layup on the ensuing possession pushed the lead to 41, as UMF led 64-23 with 7:48 remaining in the game.  The Beavers maintained their 40-point edge the rest of the way, using a 7-2 run to close the game.

Simpson led UMF with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and added seven rebounds, three blocks and four assists in just 17 minutes of action as the Beavers placed 11 different players in the scoring column.  Porter added 13 points, while Sawyer contributed 12 and freshman Erin Johnson (Georgetown, MA) posted 10 to round out the double-figure scorers.  Box Score

11/14/06

UMF Women Roll Past Mt. Ida, 85-40

The University of Maine at Farmington (7-3, 3-1 NAC) cruised to an 85-40 victory over Mount Ida College this afternoon in North Atlantic Conference action at the Mount Ida Athletic Center. The Beavers scored 35 points off Mount Ida turnovers, shot 52% (13-25) from three-point range and held a 30-point halftime lead en route to the win.

Maine Farmington jumped out to a 20-2 lead midway through the first half and never looked back. The Beavers outscored Mount Ida 45-15 in the opening frame and led by as many as many as 48 points (72-24) in the second half, following a three-pointer by sophomore Katelyn Ross (Belfast, Maine) with 9:57 remaining in the game. 

Junior Karen Sirois (Augusta, Maine) paced the visitors, as 13 players found the scoring column for Maine Farmington. Sirois connected on 4-of-6 shots from the field, including 3-of-4 from three-point range for 11 points. Classmate Kari Simpson (Wells, Maine) added ten points to go with game-highs of six steals and four assists, while sophomore Erin Johnson (Bailey Island, Maine) added eight points and a game-best six rebounds off the bench for the Beavers.  Box Score

1/11/06

MMA Rallies to Defeat UMF in Battle of Women’s Basketball Favorites

Maine Maritime fell behind by as many as 18 points in the opening half, but slowly chipped away en route to a thrilling 65-63 win over UMF tonight at Dearborn Gymnasium in a battle between the conference’s top two teams. 

UMF jumped out to an 18-4 lead and led 27-9 at the 8:22 mark before MMA began to mount its rally, outscoring the Beavers 35-16 over the next 16 minutes to take a 39-34 lead with 14:36 left to play.  The lead bounded back and forth for the remainder of the contest, changing hands 10 more times before MMA’s Julie Knights knocked down a three-pointer to give the Mariners the lead for good at 63-61 with 1:10 left to play. 

MMA pushed its lead to 65-61 on a layup, but a pair of free throws by Erin Porter (Bangor, ME) cut the lead to two, 65-63.  UMF then forced a late turnover and regained possession with a chance to tie or win, but a three-pointer missed long at the buzzer, capping an exciting and draining night of basketball for both teams.

The Beavers jumped out early, led by junior PG Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME), who knocked down three first-half three pointers on her way to an 11-point opening half of play.  A three from Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) pushed the lead to its highest point, 27-9.  UMF shot 46.8% from the floor in the opening half and hit six three-pointers in taking a 33-30 lead into the break. 

MMA’s Alyssa Burns led all scorers with 20 points, while Michelle Gott added 19 for the Mariners (7-2, 3-0 NAC).  UMF received 14 from Sirois and Simpson, while Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) added 10 points and 13 rebounds.  Simpson added 11 boards for her fifth double-double of the season.  Box Score

1/8/06

Sirois Paces UMF Past Plymouth State, 81-66

Junior Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) scored a season-high 23 points and forwards Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) and Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) added 19 apiece to lead the UMF women’s basketball team (6-2) to an 81-66 win over Plymouth State in non-conference action this afternoon in Farmington.

An offensive rebound and lay-up from Sawyer 3:04 into the game gave UMF a 9-8 lead, and the Beavers controlled the remainder of the game.  The lead reached as high as 11 points on two occasions in the opening half before UMF took a 36-30 lead into the break as Plymouth State closed the opening half with a 5-0 run over the final :20.

The Beavers built their lead back to double-figures, 40-30, on a jumper from Sawyer at the 19:01 mark of the second half and pushed it to 13, 58-46, on a jumper from Sirois at the 10:46 mark.  The lead crept to as high as 16 three different times in the second half.

Simpson (11 rebounds) and Sawyer (10 rebounds) also registered double-doubles for UMF, which out-rebounded Plymouth State 50-41.  The Beavers shot just 13.6% from three-point range, but converted 22 free throws during the game.  Box Score

1/5/06

No. 5 Bowdoin Downs UMF, 85-44, in Women’s Basketball

The UMF women’s basketball had its four-game winning streak snapped tonight, falling 85-44 to fifth-ranked Bowdoin in its first game since the extended holiday break.  The Beavers fell victim to a 22-3 run by the Polar Bears to start the game and were unable to recover.  The loss drops UMF to 5-2 overall following its third game this season vs. a ranked opponent.

Junior Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) led UMF with 12 points and four rebounds, while Kari Simpson (Wells, ME), who entered the game having scored 20 or more points in three of her last four contests, added nine points and six boards.  Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) followed with seven points and a game-high eight rebounds.  UMF was without the services of senior captains Brandi Rideout (Mattawamkeag, ME) and Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME) due to injury.

The Beavers continue their non-conference slate on Sunday, hosting Plymouth State (4-4) at Dearborn Gymnasium.  Game time is 1:00 p.m.  Box Score

12/12/05

Simpson Earns Second-Straight NAC Player of the Week Award

UMF junior forward Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) – for the second time in a row – has been named the NAC Women’s Basketball Player of the Week.  She earns the award for the week ending Sunday, December 11 after leading her team to a 3-0 record and into the exam break at 5-1, including a perfect 2-0 mark in NAC play.  She shares the honor this week with Maine Maritime’s Michelle Gott.

Simpson led UMF to a 3-0 week, including a win over then-No. 17 Bates by leading the Beavers in scoring in two of the three contests, including a career-high 28, including 20 in the first half, in a 72-57 win over UNE to finish off the week.  In three games, Simpson averaged 21.7 points and 9.0 rebounds per game, shooting .578 from the floor and .500 from 3-point range (8-for-16).  She had double-doubles vs. Bates (23points/10rebounds) and UNE (28points/11rebounds) and knocked down all six of her shots, including both 3's, for 14 points, as well as six rebounds, in just 17 minutes of action on Saturday in an 84-17 win over Wheelock.  She is now six points shy of 900 for her career. 

Through six games this season, Simpson is averaging 18.7 points per game, good for second in the league and is fifth in rebounding (9.2/game).  She also ranks second in the league in field-goal percentage (.512) and free-throw percentage (.889).

The Beavers are idle until Thursday, January 5, when they travel to Brunswick for a non-league matchup with Bowdoin College.

12/11/05

Simpson, Beavers Roll Past UNE, 72-57

Kari Simpson (Wells, Maine) poured in 20 of her career-high 28 points in the first half to help stake the UMF women's basketball team (5-1) to a 40-23 lead, as the Beavers held off the University of New England in the second half on their way to a 72-57 victory Sunday afternoon at the Campus Center in Biddeford.

Simpson made 8-of-9 field goal attempts in the opening half, including all four of her 3-point attempts.  She scored 10 consecutive points during a 3:00 span as the Beavers built a 30-18 lead with 4:35 remaining in the opening half.

The Nor'easters came out with a spark in the second half, slicing into the Beavers' lead.  UNE outscored UMF 20-8 over the opening seven minutes of the second frame to close within five (48-43).  Guard Meagan Cyr (Howland, Maine) scored seven of the Beavers' next 10 points to help the winners regain momentum.

Simpson finished with 11 rebounds and a pair of steals, while Cyr finished with 16 points, including a 5-for-5 effort at the free throw line.  Forward Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, Maine) contributed 14 points, nine rebounds, six assists and five steals.  Boxscore

12/10/05

UMF Women Improve to 4-1 with 84-17 Win over Wheelock

Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) scored 18 points and Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) hit all six of her shots en route to a 14-point effort as UMF defeated Wheelock, 84-17, today at Dearborn Gymnasium.  UMF held Wheelock to just seven field goals and six second-half points this afternoon.   The Beavers (4-1, 2-0 NAC) shot 57.9% from the floor, opened the game with a 24-2 run and led had 14 of its players score in the contest.

A pair of baskets from Sawyer and Brandi Rideout (Mattawamkeag, ME) triggered a 10-0 run in the opening two minutes of play, while a pair of three pointers from Simpson over the next three minutes increased the lead to 18-2 with 15:32 left to play in the opening half. 

Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME) added seven points and Samantha Wiley (Lincolnville, ME) and Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) chipped in with six apiece in the victory, the third-straight for the Beavers, who head to Biddeford, ME for a Sunday afternoon meeting with the University of New England.

12/6/05

UMF Women Knock Off No. 17 Bates, 62-59

The UMF women’s basketball team closed the game with a 17-2 run to upset No. 17 Bates, 62-59, tonight in a thrilling victory at Dearborn Gymnasium.  A driving lay-up, with the shot clock about to expire, from Brandi Rideout (Mattawamkeag, ME) gave the Beavers a 60-59 lead with 1:04 left to play, while Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) iced the game with a pair of free throws before Bates’ last-second three-point attempt was long as time expired.  The win improves UMF to 3-1 while Bates falls to 4-3 with its first loss in four contests.

The Bobcats held a 57-45 lead with 5:20 left to play following a free throw from Kayla Decato, but would score just two points, on a pair of free throws, the rest of the way as UMF began its run with a lay-up from Amanda Byrne (Winslow, ME) at the 5:10 mark.  A Rideout jumper at 3:10 cut the lead to seven, 57-50, and Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) then hit the two most critical shots of the run – a pair of three-pointers sandwiched around a Simpson jumper that cut the lead to 59-58 with 1:51 to play.  In all, UMF hit 7-of-9 shots during its end-of-game run.  UMF held a slim, 23-22, lead at halftime but Bates controlled play for the opening 10 minutes of the second half, building a double-digit lead on four separate occasions.

Simpson, the reigning NAC Player of the Week, led UMF with 23 points and 10 rebounds, her second-straight double-double, while Sirois and Rideout added 11 apiece.  Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) pulled down a team-high 11 rebounds, including four in the final 3:00 of play.  Bates was led by Meg Coffin, who tallied 18 points, 15 rebounds, four steals and three blocks, while Val Beckwith added 13.  Sarah Barton chipped in with nine points and 13 boards.

UMF returns to action and NAC play on Saturday, when it hosts Wheelock at 1:00 p.m.  Boxscore

12/5/05

Click Here: Simpson Named NAC Player of the Week

11/30/05

Simpson’s Double-Double Leads Women To 81-62 Win

Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) scored a season-high 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for her first double-double of the year to lead the UMF women (2-1, 1-0 NAC) to an 81-62 victory over Thomas tonight at Dearborn Gymnasium.  The Beavers also received 10 points each from Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME) and Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) in the victory, while Toby Martin led Thomas with 21 points and seven boards.

The Beavers used a 14-4 run to close the first half on its way to a 44-27 lead at the break and pushed its lead to 21, 57-36, on a three-pointer from Erin Porter (Bangor, ME), who knocked down all three of her shots for seven points,  with 11:44 remaining in the game.  The lead grew as high as 28 on a Simpson lay-up at the 6:44 mark and remained in the 20’s until Thomas’ Kim Denbow knocked down a lay-up with :10 remaining.   Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) also had a strong game, registering eight points to go along with four assists and four rebounds.

Boxscore

11/19/05

UMF Women Fall to Southern Maine, 83-50, in Webber Energy Final

The UMF women’s basketball fell to top-ranked Southern Maine, 83-50, this afternoon in the championship game of the 2005 Webber Energy Tip-Off Tournament, hosted by UMF.  The Beavers (1-1) received a 14-point, 7-rebound effort from Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) and 11 points from Erin Johnson (Bailey Island, ME), but the top-ranked Huskies held the Beavers to just five first-half field goals on their way to a 42-19 lead at the break. 

USM was led by tournament MVP Shannon Kynoch, who scored 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, and Ashley Marble, who scored 10 and grabbed seven rebounds.  UMF’s Karen Sirois (Augusta, ME) and Sawyer joined Marble on the all-tournament team.  Sirois had a strong all-around game with seven points, six rebounds and five assists.

UMF-USM Boxscore

11/18/05

UMF Women Roll to 92-49 Win over UMPI in Season Opener

The UMF Beavers built a 52-22 halftime lead en route to a 92-49 victory over UMaine-Presque tonight in the opening round of the Webber Energy Tip-Off Tournament.  Meagan Cyr (Howland, ME) led all scorers with 19 points, hitting 7-of-10 from the floor, while Kari Simpson (Wells, ME) and Melissa Sawyer (Oakland, ME) added 12 apiece.   The Beavers out-rebounded UMPI, 51-35, as Simpson and Sawyer combined for 15 caroms, and played strong first-half defense, holding UMPI to just 37.5% shooting (9-of-24).  Sarah Beasley led UMPI with 21 points. 

UMPI held a 7-4 lead through the first 3:30 of the game, but UMF tied the game at 9-9 on a three from Cyr at the 15:54 mark and, after falling behind 17-15, finished off the first half with a 37-5 run to seal the win.  Leading 52-22 at the half, UMF extended its lead to 36, 68-32, on a layup from Karen SIrois (Augusta, ME) at the 14:02 mark of the second half. 

UMPI and Williams, which fell to Southern Maine 75-59, will meet at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow in the consolation game, while UMF will meet USM for the tournament championship at 3:00 p.m.

UMF-UMPI Boxscore