Auburn, ME - For the first time in 5-years, the CM Women's Basketball team hosted an NCAA DIII school for an exhibition game. After traveling to NVU-Lyndon last year, the Lady Mustangs played host to the Hornets, who are members of the North Atlantic Conference (NAC). After a blistering 7-0 start in the first 90-seconds of the game, the Mustangs cooled down a bit, leading 14-6 after the first quarter. CM outscored the Hornets in each quarter, winning 61-34.
Chandler True (Naples, ME) lead a trio of Lady Mustangs in double figures. True recorded 13 points, while captain, Kristen Huntress (Harrison, ME) hit a game-high four 3's to finish with 12 points. Elena Tool (Tilburg, Netherlands), finished with 11 points.
All 15 players who suited up for the game recorded at least four minutes, while 10 of them found the scoring column.
First-year, Makenzie Beaudry (Dover Foxcroft, ME) recorded a game-high 9 rebounds, while Huntress, and sophomore, Rebecca Davila (El Paso, TX) each recorded a game-high of 5 steals.
Faith Poirier was the lone Hornet in double figures, connecting for 13 points.
The Lady Mustangs often swarmed the ball with their pressure defense, forcing 37 turnovers, and racking up 24 steals. In typical unselfish fashion, they also recorded 16 assists on their 20 amde field goals.
Head Women's Basketball Coach, Andrew Morong, commented, "I was pleased with our enthusiasm and intensity today, but we have a long way to go. Our returning players really helped set the tone for us early on, which is what you want out of a team that features 11 newcombers. I thought some of our first-year players really stepped up and did some nice things. We took four charges, and attemped several more, we were on the floor for loose balls, and we pulled down twenty offensive rebounds. The effort is clearly there, we just need to work on our consistency, and games like this certainly help with that."
The Lady Mustangs kick-off their season this weekend during the 25th annual Can-Am Tournament. On Saturday, October 26th (6:00pm) they play host to the University of New Brunswick - St. John, and Champlain-St. Lawrence on Sunday, the 27th, at 2:00pm.
For those who cannot make the games in person, all 8-games of the Can-Am Tournament will be broadcasted by Munzing Media through the CMCC Athletics Facebook page.