Owls earn big win

    PRESQUE ISLE – On Tuesday, Jan. 8th, the University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s basketball team was back on their home court as they hosted Maine Maritime Academy of Castine, ME. Junior forward Erica Davis (Cumberland) led with 15 points, nine rebounds and six steals, as the Owls defeated MMA, 64-61.     The win avenged a 68-44 loss the Owls suffered to MMA on the previous Saturday.
    Senior captain Julie Wescott (Westbrook) and junior forward Anna Lenentine (Monticello) had 14 points apiece, combining for 17 of those in the second half to hold off the Mariners. Freshman guard Megan Korhonen (Littleton) contributed with eight points and six assists, turning the ball over only three times against the Mariners aggressive run and jump full-court pressure.
    Last Thursday evening, Davis tossed in 21 points and pulled down eight rebounds to power the Owls to victory over the University of Maine at Machias Clippers.
 Korhonen and Wescott each chipped in with 12 points for UMPI. Wescott had a team high of nine rebounds.
    The Owls were back in action on Friday evening, hosting the College of Saint Elizabeth of Morristown, NJ. The Eagles of St. Elizabeth would not let up their defensive intensity, which earned them the 66-52 victory.
    Davis led UMPI with 16 points and eight rebounds. With the loss, the Owls are currently 5-8 on the season.
UMPI Men earn first win
    Ronald Spencer (Chicago, IL) hit six free throws in the final minute as the University of Maine at Presque Isle Owls held off the University of Maine Machias men 72-71 in last week’s basketball action. Spencer finished with 13 points, while teammate Allan Stroud (Irvington, NJ) had a team-high of 17 points. James Gregory (Philadelphia, PA) netted 15 points, followed by Felix Abgoola (Maplewood, NJ) with 11 and Thomas Wire (Watford Herts, UK) with 10.
    The Owls got out to a good lead from the tip off. The game remained close throughout the second half, setting the stage for Spencer’s clutch free throws to seal the win. UMPI moves to 1-10 on the season.
    Bowdoin College forwards Darian Reid-Sturgis and Andrew Sargeanston both posted double-doubles as the Polar Bear men’s basketball team defeated UMPI on Saturday, 105-45. With the loss, the Owls drop to 1-11 on the season.
    Presque Isle was led by Spencer with 13 points, while teammates Gregory and Wire added 11 and 10 points, respectively.