Gio DiFazio

CNMS

The United States Collegiate Athletic Association Division II Women’s Basketball Nationals were held this past weekend at Penn State Fayette, in Uniontown, Pennsylvania. SMCC entered nationals coming off a loss against the eventual USCAA Champion, The College of St. Joseph’s (VT). Despite the loss in the conference tournament the Seawolves earned a bid to the national championship at Penn State Fayette.

The Lady Seawolves were able to post an impressive 23-10 record this season, while losing four games in the YSCC. Having a conference record of 9-4, it was no surprise SMCC earned a bid to the big dance in Uniontown, PA.

The SMCC Seawolves dictated the first five minutes of the game, streaking up and down the court, the up tempo offense easily taking advantage of The Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

In the first quarter, SMCC was able to dominate the Panthers in every phase of the game. Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences had trouble lighting up the scoreboard until after 4 minutes had dwindled by when they found an open look, scoring their first field goal.

Four different Seawolves were able to find the bottom of the net within the first three minutes of the contest. With 5:47 remaining in the 1st quarter of play, Daninie Griffin of Albany, was able to end the game’s opening run with a pair of free throws. Griffin has been leading her squad all year, averaging 9.6 points a game. SMCC finished the first quarter of play up 18-9.

SMCC was not tested once early on. Sitting atop a nine-point lead to start the second quarter, Southern Maine Community College gave up 3 consecutive hoops to the Panthers within the first 2:18 of play. The fast paced battle quickly turned sloppy in the second quarter as 29 turnovers were committed.

Both defenses were able to creep up in the passing lanes and disrupt ball handlers as the game turned into a defensive struggle until the end of the half. The Seawolves gave up possession of the ball 17 times in the first half, while the Panthers had 17 turnovers of themselves. Regardless of the turnover margin, SMCC was sat atop at 4-point lead at halftime, 26-22.

Great games have certain moments that define them. Whether it be a momentum change, or a huge individual effort. Albany’s moment came at the start of the second half. Being down 26-22, they went on a 9-0 run, scoring the first 9 points within the first ten seconds of the start of the second half.

It took SMCC just under 2 minutes to get on the board to start the second quarter. Amira Jones was able to find an open look under the net to concede the Panther’s run.

Free Throw shooting can turn into a streaky affair, like a batter at the plate, and Maria Veino knows that all too well. Shooting just under 54% at the line this year, she made a commitment to improve. Veino improved her free throw for the postseason going 4-4 against Albany hitting two timely free throws late in the game, which spurted a quick 5-0 run, bringing The Seawolves to within 3 after a jumper from behind the arch from Sammie Griffin.

Alicia Hoyt has been a dominant force all season for the Seawolves on the low post. A Second-Team All-American, she has been posing matchup problems for teams all season – this game was no different. Hoyt finished the day as The Seawolves top scorer with 13 points and six rebounds. After a jump shot from Panthers Miranda Costin to put the game at 35-40, an Alicia Hoyt layup followed by a tre ball from Kendra Kagileiry (Kittery, ME) left the score at 40-40.

Both teams traded a couple hoops to end the third quarter, while they sat and neck at 40 all to head into the final quarter of play.

This was tight contest from the opening tip, and you couldn’t ask for a more enjoyable game with both teams tied heading into the final quarter.

The sloppy defensive struggle turned into a smooth transitioning contest in the second half. After a few lead changes and a 56-56 tie, Hoyt found herself able to use her right hand and sink a field goal to tie the game up.

To summarize what happened to conclude the fourth quarter would be the absolute inverse of the first half of play. SMCC had a small lead, while the Panthers failed to chip away at it in a sloppy defensive struggle.

Just over four minutes into the fourth quarter, Morgan Esperti was sent to the line for a pair of free throws. She managed to get only one to fall, but after that, The Panther’s took a one-point lead and it only grew. SMCC desperately tried to claw back into the ball game, but Albany found their rhythm at just the right moment and was able to sail away to a 67-59 victory.

The scoreboard is not indicative of The Seawolves effort. Albany was able to gain the hot hand at the precise moment to finish on top. SMCC having the edge in the rebound column was lead by Alicia Hoyt and Maria Veino in scoring with 13 and 10 points, respectively.

Despite the loss The Wolves would remain in Pennsylvania to play a consolation game against the other opening day loser. The Wolves would take to the court to play the Penn State Hazelton Fighting Lions on Friday.

The first quarter saw the Lions jump out to a nine to two point lead sustaining the seven-point cushion throughout the first quarter holding a 22-16 point lead. The second quarter saw the Wolves outscore the Lions 22-6 building a five-point lead with 1:34 left (40-35). The Fighting Lions would score 8 unanswered points taking a 43-40 lead into the locker room.

The second half saw the Lions expanding into the double digits with the Wolves pulling within 6 twice in the third quarter. The Wolvess would run out of gas as the Lions pulled away finishing with an 85-71 victory.

SMCC finishes the season with a 23-10 record and 9-4 conference record. They lost to the National Champion in the Conference Championship, and lost to the runner up at nationals. We should all tip our hats to Coach Howe and her staff, along with this Lady Seawolves squad for such a fun season.