#1 Central Maine Stays Undefeated in YSCC Play, Defeat #4 Paul Smith's

AUBURN, Maine (YSCC) – The #1 seeded Central Maine Mustangs women's basketball team defeated the #4 seed Paul Smith's Bobcats to conclude our women's YSCC Final Four action, earning a 91-39 victory on Saturday, March 4th. 

Both teams came out slow, with Paul Smith's leading just 1-0 over two minutes into the first quarter. The Mustangs would get their first points of the contest on a Luna Love three-pointer. However, the slow start continued, as a Bobcats made free throw gave them a 5-4 lead with 4:53 remaining in the quarter. 

The Mustangs built a 20-7 lead after the first quarter thanks to some much-needed scoring off the bench, including a three-pointer from Mikenzie Melendez and a pair of layups by Ja'Naia Moran. 

Once the Mustangs took the lead, they did not look back. They rode a 19-2 run through the first six minutes of the second quarter to build a 39-9 lead. Paul Smith's fought hard, going on a 10-7 run to end the half. Still, the Mustangs took a 46-19 lead into halftime, highlighted by Clara Bandh's 8 points. 

Central Maine kept rolling out of the half, scoring nine straight points, before a Holly Bagley free throw put the Bobcats back on the board. The Mustangs would not back down, and by the end of the 3rd quarter, they led 70-27. The Mustangs had 13 different scorers through three-quarters of play. 

Mikenzie Melendez of Central Maine had an emphatic block with 4:45 remaining in the game and took it coast to coast for the transition basket, giving the Mustangs an 80-33 lead late. 

Chantel Ouellette and Clara Bandh led the way for the Mustangs, finishing with 14 points each. After a slow start, Central Maine did not look back, winning by a final score of 91-39. Despite the loss, Jayla Gray finished with a 10-point 15 rebound double-double. 

Central Maine CC advances to the YSCC Women's Championship Game, which will be played Sunday, March 5th at 12 PM at Central Maine CC vs. Southern Maine CC. 

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Article by: Jake Laroche

YSCC Sports Information and Media Services Intern