Auburn, ME – CMCC Women's Basketball suffered a first-half scare, but bounced back after halftime to defeat Massasoit Community College, 94-67 at home on Wednesday afternoon. Ella Lavigne scored 21 of her 31 total points in the second half as the Mustangs turned a 44-43 deficit at the break into a 27-point victory.
The visitors tested undefeated Central Maine, as the Warriors shot 51.4% from the floor in the first half to lead for most of the opening 20 minutes. Naveiha Madison was lights out, draining six three-pointers to keep Massasoit out in front by one at halftime.
However, the Warriors were without Brooke Jackson in the second half as the forward left the game with an injury. The Mustangs found it much easier to attack inside without the first-year patrolling the paint, after Jackson picked up nine points, nine rebounds, and three blocks in the first 20 minutes.
CMCC outscored Massasoit 31-8 in the third quarter to build a sizeable lead. Lavigne went 6-for-8 in the third and added eight more points in the fourth. Ava Smith finished with 22 points and pulled down 13 boards. Jenny Chaput had 15 points and captain Rosa Prieto put up 13 of her own. Ten different players scored in the victory, including Farah Attallah who marked her first action of the second semester on her return from injury.
The Mustangs defense rose to the occasion, not just limiting the Warriors to 23 second-half points, but also forcing 23 turnovers and winning the rebound battle 56-to-32 to help turn the tide.
Central Maine remains unbeaten in the regular season with a 15-0 record and returns to Yankee Small College Conference play on Saturday, January 18th with a visit from the Word of Life Bible Institute Huskies. Game time is set for 4:00 pm to begin a women's and men's teams doubleheader.
