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Keene State at Southern Maine
Saturay, December 6 (1:00 p.m.)
Hill Gymnasium Gorham, Maine
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Huskies Hang on to Defeat Bowdoin 75-72
BRUNSWICK, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) scored a season-high 24 points to lead the University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a nail-biting 75-72 win over the Bowdoin College Polar Bears in a
battle between to nationally-ranked women’s basketball teams Tuesday night at
Morrell Gymnasium.
The 25th-ranked Huskies remained undefeated at 5-0 with the win. It is
Southern Maine’s first win at Bowdoin’s Morrell Gymnasium since 1998. The loss
is the second of the season for the Polar Bears, ranked 23rd in the latest
D3hoops.com Poll, to dip to 3-2 overall.
Kent scored 10 of the Huskies first 12 points in the second half to finish
with her season-high total. The 5-9 forward was 9-of-14 from the field and 4-
of-6 from three-point range to lead all scorers. Junior guard Nicole Paradis
(Skowhegan, Maine) and sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony)
each scored 14 points for the Huskies. Violette narrowly missed out on a
double-double grabbing a team-leading nine rebounds, while Paradis passed off
three assists.
Senior guard Maria Noucas (Portsmouth, N.H.) led the Polar Bears with 18
points, including five three-pointers. Junior guard Sabrina Cote (Dexter,
Maine) and sophomore guard Katie Bergeron (Bradley, Maine/Old Town) combined for
25 points. Cote tallied 13 points, while Bergeron chipped in with 12.
After building up a solid 31-19 lead at the break, Southern Maine withstood
a furious rally from the Polar Bears in the second half as Bowdoin shot a
blazing 61.5 percent (16-for-26) in the second stanza. Noucas drained all five
of her three-pointers and scored 15 of her 18 points in the second half to lead
the Polar Bears.
Trailing by eight points, 53-45 with 10:26 to play, following a three-
pointer from Kent, Bowdoin outscored USM over the next three and a half minutes
to take its first lead of the game since the opening 30 seconds of the game, 56-
55, with 7:01 on the clock. Noucas capped the Polar Bears run with a three-
pointer to put her team ahead while junior forward Caitlin Hynes (Owl’s Head,
Maine/Rockland) scored five of her eight points in the run.
Over the next six minutes the lead changed hands between Huskies and the
Polar Bears before a pair of free throws from Bergeron knotted the score up at
68-68 with 1:00 on the clock. Violette gave Southern Maine the lead for good on
its next possession converting a lay-up off of a feed from Paradis with 42
seconds to play. Ahead 70-68, the Huskies sealed the win at the free throw line
5-of-6 down the stretch.
Southern Maine returns to action on Saturday (1:00 p.m.) when it hosts
Little East Conference rival Keene State College. Bowdoin hosts Colby College
on Saturday (7:00 p.m.) in a non-conference game.
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Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Southern Maine to Host Gary Fifield Day on Saturday
Huskies Face Keene State College in Little East Conference Opener (1 p.m.)
GORHAM, Maine – The University of Southern Maine Department of Athletics
will honor former women’s basketball coach Gary Fifield at halftime of the
Huskies Little East Conference game against the Keene State College Owls on
Saturday, December 6 (1:00 p.m.).
Fifield, the all-time winningest coach in NCAA Division III Women’s
Basketball, retired as the Huskies’ women’s basketball coach after 21 successful
years of service to the University. Fifield, who has assumed the role of
Associate Athletic Director, finished his remarkable career with a record of
541-86 (.863 winning percentage). During his tenure, Fifield led the Huskies to
the NCAA National Tournament 20 of 21 years, participating in the NCAA Division
III Final Four five times (1988, 1998, 2000, 2005 and 2006) and helped continue
the team’s record-setting 20-win streak, which currently stands at 28 straight
years. In the Little East Conference, Fifield’s teams dominated their
competition capturing the LEC regular season crown 19 times and winning the LEC
tournament championship on 17 occasions. Earning the LEC Coach of the Year
honor 13 times, Fifield’s led USM to a staggering 241-20 record against LEC
opponents in regular season play and a 48-4 mark in tournament competition.
Among his numerous honors, Fifield was named the WBCA National Coach of the
Year in 2005. He was inducted into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame in
2003 and was chosen to coach at the US Olympic Festival in 1993.
The Huskies are scheduled to host a Little East Conference basketball
double header against rival Keene State College on Saturday. The women’s game
will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by the men’s game at 3:00 p.m. Fifield will be
honored with a special halftime presentation at center court of Warren G. Hill
Gymnasium at approximately 1:30 p.m. At the conclusion of the women’s game, the
celebration will continue with a reception in the Alumni Reception Center.
December 6, 2008 - Gary Fifield Day at Hill Gymnasium (1:00 p.m.)
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Wednesday, November 26, 2008
DeMillo Named MWBCA Player of the Week
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) of the
University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s basketball team has been named the
Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Assocation (MWBCA) Player of the Week for the
week ending November 23, 2008. It is the first time in her career that the 5-7
guard has earned a player of the week honor. The announcement was made
Wednesday by Craig Dagan, the MWBCA Publicist.
Shooting 55 percent (16-for-29) from the field and 56 percent (13-for-26)
from three-point, DeMillo helped USM to a 3-0 week with wins over the University
of New England, University of Maine at Farmington and Norwich University.
Averaging 17.0 points, 1.7 assists and four steals per game, DeMillo tossed in a
career-best 25 points in the Huskies 76-57 win over UMaine Farmington in the
opening round of the USM Tip Off Tournament. In USM’s 64-61 win over Norwich,
DeMillo tossed in 15 points and hustled her way to four steals. DeMillo was
named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scoring 40 points in two games to
lead the Huskies to the championship. In Southern Maine’s season-opening win
against UNE, DeMillo turned in a steady performance netting 11 points on a 4-
for-8 mark from the field including three three-pointers to pair with two
assists and a game-high six steals.
Through four games this season, DeMillo is the Huskies’ second leading
scorer averaging 13.3 points, 3.0 steals, 2.9 assist and 1.3 rebounds per game.
DeMillo is shooting a solid 44.4 percent (16-for-36) from the field and 48.1
percent (13-for-27) from three-point range.
Southern Maine returns to action on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) at Bowdoin College
for a non-conference game.
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Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Southern Maine Beats Bates 67-57
LEWISTON, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) scored a game-high 17 points to lead the University of Southern Maine
Huskies to a 67-57 win over the Bates College Bobcats in a non-conference
women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Alumni Gymnasium in Lewiston, Maine.
Kent led four USM players in double-figures as the Huskies earned their
fourth straight win to remain undefeated at 4-0. The loss was the first of the
season for Bates dropping its record to 3-1 overall.
Kent was a perfect 8-for-8 from the charity stripe en route to her 17
points as the Huskies enjoyed tremendous success at the free throw line
finishing the game 19-for-22 from the foul line (86.4 percent). Junior forward
Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) recorded career-high totals with
15 points and nine rebounds shooting an outstanding 7-for-12 from the floor.
Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) chipped in with 12 points on a 5-
for-7 effort from the field, while sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield,
Maine/Cony) added a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Bates senior forward Val Beckwith (Woburn, Mass.) led the Bobcats with 14
points on a 6-for-9 mark from the floor, including a pair of three-pointers.
Sophomore forward Christine McCall (Lowell, Mass.) tossed in 10 points off of
the bench as the only other Bates player in double figures. Junior guard Kellie
Goodridge (Merrimack, N.H.) turned in a steady performance for the Bobcats with
nine points, a team-high seven rebounds and four assists.
Ahead by a point, 54-53, with 7:29 to play in the second half Southern
Maine outscored Bates 13-4 down the stretch to pull out the win. A lay-up from
Bates’ sophomore forward Brittany French (Auburn, Maine/Brittany French) to pull
the Bobcats to within one, both teams traded baskets back and forth with Johnson
scoring on a short jumper followed by a lay-up from Goodridge. The Huskies
scored the next four points on a jumper from Paradis and two free throws from
Kent to lead 60-55 with 4:00 on the clock. Beckwith countered for the Bobcats
with a lay-up to trim the USM lead to 60-57 with 3:46 remaining but it was the
final points of the game for Bates as the Huskies forced the Bobcats to misfire
on their next five shots.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting a solid 45.1 percent (23-for-51)
from the field, but struggled from three-point range connecting on just 2-of-11
from beyond the arc. Bates shot 41.1 percent (23-for-56) from the floor for the
game; however, the Bobcats connected on just 31.0 percent (9-for-29) of its
field goals in the second half. The Huskies also enjoyed a 39-25 advantage on
the boards.
Southern Maine returns to action on Tuesday (7:30 p.m.) at Bowdoin College.
Bates travels to Husson University on Tuesday (7:00 p.m.).
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Saturday, November 22, 2008
USM Tip Off Tournament Championship Game
Huskies Hang On to Defeat Norwich 64-61
GORHAM, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) scored a game-high 18 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the
University of Southern Maine to a 64-61 win over the Norwich University Cadets
in the championship game of the 2008 USM Tip Off Tournament Saturday afternoon
at Warren Hill Gymnasium in Gorham.
Despite allowing a 17-point second half lead to be whittled away to just
basket, the Huskies were able to overcome their shooting woes and hang on for
their third straight win of the season to improve to 3-0. The loss drops the
Cadets’ record to 2-1.
Kent and sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) each were named to the
all-tournament team, while DeMillo was selected as the tournament’s Most
Valuable Player. DeMillo, who joined Kent in double-figures scoring with 15
points, averaged 20 points per game during the two-day tournament. Norwich
junior guard Erica Rate (Weymouth, Mass.) and senior guard Kayleigh Shappy
(Burlington, Vt.) were also selected to the all-tournament team. Rate led the
Cadets in scoring against USM with 12 points, while Shappy played a solid floor
game at the point guard position with eight points, three assists and two
steals. Rounding out the all-tournament team were Husson’s Shelby Bradford
(Lee, Maine) and UMaine Farmington’s Erin Porter (Bangor, Maine).
Leading 33-25 at the break, USM outscored Norwich 20-8 in the opening eight
minutes of the second half to open up a 17-point, 53-36, and looked well on
their way to victory with 12:27 to play. DeMillo keyed the Southern Maine
offensive outburst draining three three-pointers in a row for a quick nine
points. Kent added five of the Huskies’ points in the run, while sophomore
forward Kristin Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) scored four points and junior
forward Ruthie Briggs (Springvale, Maine/Sanford) added a lay-up.
However with both teams struggling to connect from the field, shooting in
the 30th percentage range, the Cadets were able to claw their way back into the
game. Trailing by 16 after a three-pointer from USM junior guard Nicole Paradis
(Skowhegan, Maine) with 9:43 on the clock, the Cadets went on a 15-3 run to pull
to within four, 60-56, with 2:36 to play. Receiving scoring contributions from
four different players in the run, Norwich’s Rate tallied six of the Cadet’s 15
points with a pair of long-range three-point strikes.
A pair of free throws from Kent returned the Huskies lead to six, 62-56,
with 1:43 remaining, before Norwich outscored USM 5-1 on layups from Shappy and
junior forward Jess Jaggars (Vergennes, Vt./Vergennes Union) and one of two free
throws from freshman forward Tara Stevenson (Watertown, Conn./Holy Cross) to
pull to with a basket of the Huskies, 63-61, with five seconds to play. Paradis
sunk one of two free throws on the Huskies ensuing possession and Norwich’s
buzzer beater attempt from three-point range failed to connect as USM held on
for the win.
USM finished the game shooting a sub-par 32.7 percent (18-for-55) from the
field and was hampered by 15 turnovers. Norwich shot 39.7 percent (23-for-58)
from the floor, but trailed the Huskies at the free throw line. USM made 21-of-
34 from the charity stripe, while the Cadets made 9-of-14.
Southern Maine returns to action at Bates College on Tuesday (5:30 p.m.).
Norwich is at Middlebury College on the same date (7:00 p.m.)
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Saturday, November 22, 2008
USM Tip Off Tournament Consolation Game
UMaine Farmington Overcomes Husson 79-76
GORHAM, Maine – Senior guard Erin Porter (Bangor, Maine) scored a team-
high 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the University of Maine at
Farmington Beavers to a 79-76 come-from-behind win over the Husson University
Eagles Saturday afternoon in the consolation game of the 2008 USM Tip-Off
Tournament at Hill Gymnasium in Gorham.
With the win the Beavers improve to 2-1 on the season. Suffering their
second loss in as many games the Eagles drop to 1-2.
Porter, who was named to the all-tournament team, was one of three UMF
players in double figures knocking down 5-of-13 fro the field including a 2-for-
3 mark from three-point range. Junior forward Caitlyn Laflin (Farmingdale,
Maine/Hall-Dale) added a double-double scoring 16 points and snagging 10
rebounds, while senior guard Amanda Byrne (Winslow, Maine) chipped in with 11
points, eight assists and four steals.
Husson senior forward Shelby Bradford (Lee, Maine) led the Eagles with a
game-high 18 points earning a double-double with 10 boards. Bradford also
earned all-tournament honors averaging 15 points and nine rebounds over two
games. Senior guard Jenny Rollins (Corinth, Maine) tossed in 14 points on a 5-
for-11 effort from the floor and sophomore center Kelsy Lavertu (Howland, Maine)
sparked Husson off the bench with 12 points and five rebounds.
Trailing Husson by seven, 72-65, with 4:45 left in regulation following a
short jumper from Husson’s Bradford, the Beavers rattled off a 10-2 run over the
next two minutes and 15 seconds to pull ahead of the Eagles 75-74 with 2:23 on
the clock. Byrne ignited the UMF rally converting a three-point play with a
lay-up and a free throw before capping the run with an open court steal and a
lay-up.
UMF’s Porter put the Beavers ahead by three, 77-74, with 1:22 on the clock
sinking two free throws, before Husson’s Lavertu countered with a lay-up to
trail by a point with 59 seconds remaining. Fouled on the play, Lavertu
misfired on the potential game-tying free throw and UMF was able to keep its
next play alive with a pair of offensive rebounds from Laflin to run out the
clock. The Beavers’ Byrne sealed the win with a pair of free throws with two
seconds remaining for the 79-76 final.
Joining Bradford and Porter on the all-tournament team were Norwich
University’s Erica Rate (Weymouth, Mass.) and Kayleigh Shappy (Burlington, Vt.)
and University of Southern Maine’s Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown) and
Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine). DeMillo was named the tournament’s Most Valuable
Player.
Husson returns to action on Tuesday, December 2 when it hosts Bates College
at 7:00 p.m. UMaine Farmington hosts Rivier College on Tuesday, November 25 at
7:30 p.m.
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Friday, November 21, 2008
2008 USM Tip Off Tournament Game 2
DeMillo Unloads for Career Best 25 Points as USM Rolls Past UMaine Farmington
76-57
GORHAM, Maine – Sophomore guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) connected on
seven three-point field goals to score a career-best 25 points and lead the
University of Southern Maine Huskies to a 76-57 win over the UMaine Farmington
Beavers in the second game of the 2008 USM Tip – Off Tournament Friday night at
Warren Hill Gymnasium in Gorham, Maine.
Winning their second game in as many contests, Southern Maine improves to
2-0 overall and will face Norwich University on Saturday (3:00 p.m.) in the
championship game of the tournament. UMaine Farmington evens out at 1-1 with
the loss and will face in-state rival the Husson University Eagles in the
consolation game (1:00 p.m.). Norwich defeated the Eagles 68-54 in the first
game of the tournament.
DeMillo netted 17 of her 25 points in the first half as the Huskies raced
out to a commanding 44-26 lead at the break. The 5-7 guard finished the game
shooting 9-for-13 from the field and 7-for-11 from three point range. Senior
forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) added 13 points and a
game-high seven assists. Junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury,
Conn./Simsbury) and junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) added eight
and seven points respectively.
DeMillo’s seven three-point field goals is second all-time in single game
history at USM. She is tied for second with former USM standouts Mandy King,
Lori Towle and Teel Anderson. Kent holds the single-game record with eight
three-pointers scored in February 2007.
Senior guard Erin Porter (Bangor, Maine) led the Beavers with a team-high
17 points on a 7-for-12 effort from the field, while sophomore guard Ashley
Busque (Belgrade, Maine/Messalonskee) and junior forward Caitlyn Laflin
(Farmingdale, Maine/Hall-Dale) chipped in with 10 points each.
Ahead by seven points, 26-19, Southern Maine outscored the Beavers 18-7
over the final 6:47 of the first half to take control of the game. DeMillo
sparked the run for the Huskies draining one of her five first half three-
pointers of the opening stanza, while Kent tallied seven of her 13 points.
In the second half, Southern Maine continued to pour on the points opening
up a 29-point lead, 60-31, with 15:33 to play. Outscoring UMaine Farmington 14-
5 in the first four and a half minutes of the half, DeMillo again provided the
Huskies with an offensive spark scoring eight points on a pair of three-pointers
and a fast-break lay-up.
UMaine Farmington whittled the USM lead to 13, 68-55, with 2:50 remaining
on a free-throw from Laflin but it was as close as the Beavers would get as the
Huskies closed out the game on a 8-2 run for the 76-57 final.
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Friday, November 21, 2008
2008 USM Tip-Off Tournament Game 1
Rate Leads Norwich Past Husson, 68-54
GORHAM, Maine -- Junior guard Erica Rate (Weymouth, Mass.) poured in a
game-high 23 points, including seven three-pointers, to lead Norwich University
past Husson University, 68-54, in a first round game of the USM Tip-Off
Tournament at the Warren Hill Gymnasium Friday night.
The win moves the Cadets (2-0) into Saturday afternoon’s (3:00 p.m.)
championship game against the University of Southern Maine Huskies. The Huskies
punched their ticket into the championship game with a 76-57 victory over the
UMaine Farmington Beavers in Friday night’s second game. The Eagles (1-1) will
take on the Beavers in the consolation game (1:00 p.m.).
Rate connected on 8-of-18 shots from the floor, including 7-of-14 from
beyond the three-point arc, for her 23 points. Senior guard Kayleigh Shappy
(Burlington, Vt.) was the only other Cadet to reach double figures with 10
points coming on a three-pointer and seven free throws.
The Eagles were led by the trio of freshman guard-forward Bree Hanscom
(Mattawamkeag, Maine/Mattanawcook Academy), sophomore guard Noelle Lincoln
(Dixmont, Maine/Nokomis Regional) and senior forward Shelby Bradford (Lee,
Maine/Lee Academy) as each contributed 12 points. Bradford finished the night
with a double-double by also grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds.
The game was nip and tuck throughout with both teams enjoying small leads.
After a basket by Lincoln to tie the score at 46-46 with 8:36 to go, the Cadets
put together a decisive 13-0 run to take command. Rookie forward Tara Stevenson
(Watertown, Conn./Holy Cross) gave the Cadets the lead for good with a basket in
the paint. Two free throws by junior guard Natalie Marchese (Rutland, Vt./Mount
St. Joseph Academy), followed by a pair of three-pointers from Rate pushed the
margin to 10 (56-46) with 6:49 to play. The Eagles hurt their chances missing a
pair of shots and committing three turnovers in five possessions.
Sophomore forward Laurel McWilliams (Swanton, Vt./Missisquoi Valley Union)
continued the Cadets’ surge with a three-point play before Hanscom stopped the
bleeding with a layup. The Cadets got two free throws from freshman guard Kayla
Whitman (Bennington, Vt./Mount Anthony) and a basket from junior guard Ally
Daniels (Concord, N.H.) to gain their biggest lead of the night, 63-48, with
3:41 to play.
The Eagles had the better shooting percentage, hitting 38 percent (23 of
60) of their shots, but were hurt by 25 turnovers. The Cadets made only 33
percent (22 of 66) of their shots, but made 8-of-22 three-point tries and turned
the ball over just 13 times. The Eagles won the battle of the boards, 45-36.
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Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Paradis Steadies Southern Maine Past UNE 77-57
GORHAM, Maine – Junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) exploded
for a career-high 29 points to lead the University of Southern Maine Huskies to
a 77-57 win over the University of New England Nor’easters in a non-conference
women’s basketball game Tuesday night at Warren G. Hill Gymnasium in Gorham,
Maine.
Winning their season opener for the 18th consecutive season the Huskies
start their 2008-2009 campaign at 1-0. The loss evens the Nor’easters record at
1-1.
Southern Maine shook off a shaky start, leading the Nor’easters narrowly
27-24 at the half, to score 50 points in the second stanza and roll away with
the win. Paradis was 9-for-15 from the field and 3-for-5 from three-point range
to lead all scorers. The 5-4 guard tallied 21 of her career-best total in the
second half, shooting a near perfect 6-for-7 from the field and perfect 8-for-8
from the free throw line to lead four USM players in double figures.
Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown Academy) scored 15
points, grabbed eight rebounds and passed off four assists, while sophomore
guard Kaylie DeMillo (Jay, Maine) chipped in with 11 points and a career-best
six steals. Sophomore forward Kristi Violette (Readfield, Maine/Cony) notched
her first collegiate double-double with 10 points and a game-high 10 rebounds.
University of New England freshman guards Kari Pelletier (South Paris,
Maine/Oxford Hills) and Kelley Paradis (Newport, Maine/Nokomis Regional) each
scored 11 points to pace the Nor’easters. Freshman forwards Margo Russell
(Madison, Maine/Madison Area) and Hillary Laferriere (Veazie, Maine/John Bapst)
both tossed in eight points, while Russell nabbed a team-high seven rebounds.
Leading by five, 40-35, with 13:20 to play, Southern Maine took control of
the game with a 10-0 run over the span of four minutes to pull ahead of the
Nor’easters 50-35. Paradis scored six points in the run, while DeMillo and
junior forward Haley Johnson (West Simsbury, Conn./Simsbury) each added a
bucket. The Nor’easter were never able to recover from the Huskies surge
managing only to cut their deficit to 13 on a pair of free throws from Pelletier
with 1:51 on the clock.
Southern Maine finished the game shooting 40.6 percent (26-for-64) from the
field and 43.8 percent (7-for-16) from three-point range. The Huskies were also
steady from the free throw line sinking 18-of-22 attempts (81.8 percent). UNE
shot 32.8 percent (19-for-58) from the field, including a 5-for-27 mark from
three-point range.
Southern Maine returns to action on Friday (7:30 p.m.) when it hosts its
USM Tip-Off Tournament. The Huskies will face in-state rival UMaine Farmington
in the late game. UNE will face SUNY-Potsdam on Friday (5:00 p.m.) at the Keene
State College Tournament.
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November 12, 2008
Eastern Connecticut Picked To Repeat Women’s Basketball Title
(Courtesy of Jack Holleran, Little East Conference)
NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. – Eastern Connecticut State University has been
chosen as the favorite to capture the Little East Conference women’s basketball
championship after a vote by the conference’s eight head coaches. The Warriors
earned six first place votes and a total of 62 points to sit atop the annual
preseason coaches’ poll for the first time since the 2002 season.
The University of Southern Maine and Western Connecticut State University
each received a first-place tally and 51 total points to share the second
ranking, while Keene State College is fourth with 42 points.
Under the direction of Head Coach Denise Bierly, Eastern Connecticut earned
the program’s third Little East Conference Championship last season, defeating
the Huskies in overtime. The Warriors posted an overall record of 24-5 and
advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the time since 2003. Senior
center Ashley McFetridge (Canton, Conn.) was recently named a D3Hoops.com
Preseason All-America, fourth-team pick after averaging 15.4 points and 8.5
rebounds per game in her junior campaign. Eastern Connecticut returns seven
letter winners and three starters back into the fold. The Warriors will host
Castleton State in their home opener on Nov. 22.
Southern Maine will have a new face patrolling its sideline this season as
Mike McDevitt takes over the reigns of the program after legendary Head Coach
Gary Fifield stepped down this summer. McDevitt is not a stranger to the
collegiate basketball circuit, serving as the St. Joseph’s head coach for 16
seasons before joining the Huskies staff for the past five campaigns. McDevitt
will welcome back two starters and seven letter winners from the 2008 squad that
registered a 25-4 mark. Senior guard Stacy Kent (Northwood, N.H.) is the team’s
top offensive threat, averaging 14.3 points per game in 2008. Southern Maine
will host New England College at 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 18.
Head Coach Kim Rybczyk has guided the Colonials to at least 15 wins in the
past three seasons, including 20 victories last season. Western Connecticut
earned a berth to the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England
Tournament for the second time in the past three campaigns. Rybczyk returns a
veteran laden team, including four of the five starters and 10 overall letter
winners. The Colonials boast a deep front-court rotation with all three starters
returning, including 2008 D3Hoops.com third-team recipient Stacy Roberts
(Windham, Conn.). Roberts led the team in rebounding (6.8 rpg), while ranking
second in scoring (10.7 ppg). Western Connecticut will make its 2009 debut,
when the Colonials face Trinity College (Conn.) at 2 p.m. on Nov. 15.
Completing the poll in projected order of finish in the regular season
standings are Rhode Island College (33), Plymouth State University (19),
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth (16), and University of Massachusetts
Boston (13).
Rk. Institution (First Place Votes) Total Points
1. Eastern Connecticut State (6) 62
2. University of Southern Maine (1) 51
2. Western Connecticut State (1) 51
4. Keene State College 42
5. Rhode Island College 33
6. Plymouth State University 19
7. UMass Dartmouth 16
8. UMass Boston 14
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Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Kent and Paradis Named USM Women’s Basketball Captains
GORHAM, Maine – Senior forward Stacey Kent (Northwood, N.H./Coe-Brown
Academy) and junior guard Nicole Paradis (Skowhegan, Maine) have been named co-
captains of the 2008-2009 University of Southern Maine Huskies women’s
basketball team. The announcement was made by first-year head coach Mike
McDevitt as the Huskies prepare for their opening game against the University of
New England on Tuesday, November 18 at 5:30 p.m.
“Stacey and Nicole’s veteran leadership will be vital as we progress
throughout the season,” noted McDevitt. “Both athletes are leaders on the court
and off the court. Their outstanding work ethic, dedication and commitment to
team success is an excellent model for our new players to emulate.”
Paradis, a 2008 second team Little East Conference and Maine Women’s
Basketball Coaches Association (MWBCA) selection, returns at the point guard
slot for the Huskies. An accurate shooter, Paradis averaged 6.8 points, 2.0
rebounds and 3.3 assists per game as a sophomore while shooting 45.1 percent
(64-for-142) from the field and 35.4 percent (28-for-79) from three-point range.
Southern Maine’s top returning scorer, Kent earned numerous honors
following her junior season. Averaging 14.6 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.3 assists
and 1.7 steals per game, the 5-9 forward was named to the ECAC Division III New
England, Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and Little East Conference
first team all-conference teams. Shooting an outstanding 48.6 percent (136-for-
280) from the field and 44.2 percent from three-point range (46-for-104), Kent
was accorded D3hoops.com Women’s All-Northeast Region second team honors and was
named the MWBCA Player of the Year.
In three seasons, Kent has collected 813 points, 382 rebounds and 154
assists in 81 career games. She is currently seventh all-time on the USM career
records list with 112 three-pointers made and holds the career record for three-
point field goal percentage at 44.4 percent (112-for-252). In February 2007,
Kent set a single-game record sinking eight three-pointers against University of
Massachusetts Dartmouth.
After Southern Maine’s opening game against the University of New England,
the Huskies will host the USM Tip-Off Tournament. USM will face UMaine
Farmington in the first game (Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.) and will challenge either
Norwich University of Husson University in the second game (Nov. 22, 1:00/3:00
p.m.). The Huskies then close out the month on the road at in-state rival Bates
College (Nov. 25, 5:30 p.m.).
In December, Southern Maine travels rival Bowdoin College (Dec. 2, 7:30
p.m.) before hosting Keene State College in its first Little East Conference
game of the season (Dec. 6, 1:00 p.m.). USM hosts regional foe Salem State
College (Dec. 10, 7:00 p.m.) before traveling to UMass Dartmouth (Dec. 13, 1:00
p.m.) for an LEC contest. Southern Maine will ring in the New Year in Texas as
they travel to San Antonio, Texas to compete in the Alamo Shoot Out. The
Huskies will face Trinity (Texas) (Dec. 29, 2:00) and then will face Mary Hardin
Baylor (Dec. 30, 4:00 p.m.).
Southern Maine hosts Husson College (Jan. 5, 7:00 p.m.) to begin the month
of January and then travels to Colby College (Jan. 7, tba). USM returns to its
conference games hosting Eastern Connecticut State University (Jan. 10, 1:00
p.m.) before travelling for back-to-back LEC games against Rhode Island College
(Jan. 13, 5:30 p.m) and Western Connecticut State (Jan. 17, 1:00 p.m.). The
Huskies will then battle UMass Boston at home (Jan. 20, 5:30 p.m.) and Keene
State College on the road (Jan. 24, 1:00 p.m.).
Southern Maine three consecutive home games to bring it into month of
February, hosting LEC foes Plymouth State University (Jan. 27, 5:30 p.m.) and
UMass Dartmouth (Jan. 31, 1:00 p.m.), before taking on Thomas College (Feb. 5,
7:00 p.m.). The Huskies play Eastern Connecticut (Feb. 7, 1:00 p.m.) and UMass
Boston (Feb. 10, 5:30 p.m.) on the road before returning to Hill Gymnasium for a
match-up against Rhode Island College (Feb. 14, 1:00 p.m.). USM travels to
Plymouth State (Feb. 17, 5:30 p.m.) before hosting its final regular season home
game against Western Connecticut State (Feb. 21, 1:00 p.m.).
The Little East Conference tournament begins February 24 with the four
quarterfinal games played at higher seeded teams. The semifinals and final will
be held February 27-28 at the home of the highest remaining seed. The
tournament winner will receive the conference’s automatic berth into the 2009
NCAA Division III National Championship tournament.
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Wednesday, September 3, 2008
USM Announces Athletic Department Reorganization
Gary Fifield Named Associate Director of Athletics
Mike McDevitt Named Interim Women's Basketball Head Coach
GORHAM, Maine -- The University of Southern Maine Athletic Department
today announced a major reorganization within the department and introduced a
new interim women's basketball head coach at a press conference held at the
Costello Sports Complex.
USM Director of Athletics, Al Bean, announced that veteran women's
basketball head coach and Assistant Director of Athletics, Gary Fifield, has
retired as women's basketball coach and is assuming the new role of Associate
Director of Athletics. Bean also announced that Mike McDevitt, an assistant
coach with Fifield for the past five seasons and former head coach at St.
Joseph's College, has been named interim head coach of the women's basketball
program for the 2008-2009 season. Both moves are effective immediately.
In prepared remarks, Bean said, "Gary Fifield's retirement as women's
basketball coach is among the most significant personnel decisions in the
history of this athletic program. When Gary came to USM in 1987, he followed in
the footsteps of a legend in Dr. Richard A. Costello. During his own 21-year
tenure on the bench, Gary built his own legacy, and in the process, elevated USM
women's basketball to be among the truly elite programs in the nation. His team
and personal records are truly astounding at any level in any sport.
"The Huskies domination of the Little East Conference with Gary at the helm
is nothing short of amazing and the numbers are staggering," continued Bean.
"It's tough to imagine USM women's basketball without Gary leading the team from
the bench. I want to personally thank Gary for his incredible commitment to our
student-athletes and the women's basketball program. His efforts have truly
made a difference for our students and for the University of Southern Maine.
"In addition to his prowess as a basketball coach, Gary is a very capable
administrator. He has been an immeasurable help to me and the entire staff in
his dual role as an assistant director. With the recent departure of an
assistant director from our department, significant administrative
responsibilities needed to be reassigned. Coincidentally, for the past couple
of years, Gary and I have been discussing his possible retirement from coaching
and a shift to full-time administrative responsibilities. The staff departure
opened the door for Gary and I to reopen that discussion about reshaping his
duties. Working in consultation with Vice President Craig Hutchinson, we came
to agreement for Gary to assume significant administrative responsibilities as
the department's first associate director of athletics. I'm extremely confident
that he will impact the department significantly in his new role and will help
to guide and mentor our younger staff members.
"While an incredible chapter in USM coaching history comes to a close, we
could not be more confident and more fortunate than to turn to Mike McDevitt to
lead the program in the coming year. When Gary and I discussed his retirement
and the prospect of turning the program over to someone to carry on, the list
was extremely short. At the top of that very short list was Mike McDevitt. His
decision to accept the one-year appointment made this restructuring a reality.
We are familiar with Mike's work as the former head coach at St. Joseph's
College and for the past five years as an assistant on our bench. Mike will be
a great fit, maintain continuity with our program, and we welcome his addition
to our staff. I have great confidence that he will continue the great tradition
of our women's basketball program."
In 21 seasons as USM women's basketball coach, Fifield compiled a 541-86
record and led the Huskies the NCAA Division III Final Four five times (1988,
1998, 2000, 2005, 2006), including three appearances in the national
championship game. At the end of the 2007-08 season, his .863 winning
percentage was the highest among active Division III coaches with five or more
years on the sidelines, and his 541 career wins ranked seventh among active
coaches.
During that span (1987-2008), he guided the Huskies to 17 Little East
Conference tournament championships, including 11 straight from 1997 through
2007, and won or shared the LEC regular season crown an amazing 19 times. Last
season, Fifield led the Huskies to a 25-4 overall record and a 13-1 regular
season mark in the Little East Conference.
Fifield guided the Huskies to an NCAA tournament berth in 20 of his 21
seasons as head coach. His teams won 20 or more games every season, extending
the Huskies' streak of consecutive seasons with 20 or more wins to 28, an NCAA
Division III women's basketball record. Six players combined to win the Little
East Conference Player of the Year award 11 times, and five players were named
to the WBCA/Kodak Division III All-America team.
Among his numerous honors, Fifield was named the WBCA Division III National
Coach of the Year in 2005 after leading the Huskies to 31-3 overall record and a
third-place finish in the NCAA tournament. He also was named Little East
Conference Coach of the Year 13 times. He served as an assistant coach at the
U.S. Olympic Festival in 1993, and was inducted into the New England Basketball
Hall of Fame in 2003.
Fifield came to USM from South Royalton (Vermont) High School in 1987,
succeeding legendary coach, the late Dr. Richard "Doc" Costello, as women's
basketball coach. He also coached the USM men's soccer program for five seasons
(30-35-10).
McDevitt returns to the sidelines after spending the past five seasons as
an assistant coach at USM. During that time, he helped the Huskies run up a
remarkable 144-14 record, make four trips to the NCAA "Sweet Sixteen" and two
appearances in the Final Four.
During his 16 seasons (1987-2003) as head coach at St. Joseph's, McDevitt
compiled a 326-117 record (.736 W-L pct) and guided the Monks to seven
conference titles. His teams won 20 or more games 12 times, made seven
appearances in the NAIA national tournament and he was named Maine Athletic
Conference Coach of the Year five times (1988, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1999).
Prior to becoming the head coach at St. Joseph's, McDevitt served as an
assistant coach of the men's basketball team for three seasons (1984-87). The
St. Joseph's alum also had stints as the Monks head coach for men's golf (1997-
2004) and women's volleyball (1987-92). McDevitt was the Director of the Alfond
Center for five years (1999-2004) and was an assistant athletic director at St.
Joseph's for nine years (1990-1999).
A four-year starter for the Monks men's basketball team while earning a
degree in business administration, McDevitt scored 1,381 points and grabbed 674
rebounds during his playing career. He was named the Western Maine Athletic
Conference Player of the Year for the 1982-83 season, and received six all-
conference, all-district and all-state citations over the course of his four
years.
Gary Fifield's Record at USM Year-by-Year
Overall Little East
Season W L Pct. W L Pct. Place
1987-88 27 3 .900 10 0 1.000 1st
1988-89 25 3 .893 10 0 1.000 1st
1989-90 25 5 .833 9 1 .900 1st
1990-91 23 7 .767 7 3 .700 T2nd
1991-92 26 4 .867 9 1 .900 T1st
1992-93 25 4 .862 10 0 1.000 1st
1993-94 22 7 .759 11 1 .917 T1st
1994-95 23 4 .852 11 1 .917 1st
1995-96 25 4 .862 11 1 .917 1st
1996-97 25 4 .862 11 1 .917 1st
1997-98 29 3 .906 14 0 1.000 1st
1998-99 25 4 .862 13 1 .929 1st
1999-00 26 6 .813 9 5 .643 T2nd
2000-01 20 7 .741 12 2 .833 T1st
2001-02 25 3 .893 13 1 .929 T1st
2002-03 26 4 .867 13 1 .929 1st
2003-04 29 2 .935 14 0 1.000 1st
2004-05 31 3 .911 14 0 1.000 1st
2005-06 32 2 .941 14 0 1.000 1st
2006-07 27 3 .900 13 1 .929 1st
2007-08 25 4 .862 13 1 .929 1st
Totals 541 86 .862 241 21 .919
Mike McDevitt's Coaching Record Year-by-Year
Overall Conference
Season W L Pct. W L Pct. Place
1987-88 21 9 .700 7 1 .875 1st
1988-89 20 8 .714 5 3 .625 2nd
1989-90 25 5 .833 8 0 1.000 1st
1990-91 24 5 .828 8 0 1.000 1st
1991-92 23 8 .742 6 2 .750 2nd
1992-93 24 5 .828 7 1 .875 1st
1993-94 23 5 .821 8 1 .889 1st
1994-95 22 6 .784 6 2 .750 2nd
1995-96 16 11 .593 4 5 .444 4th
1996-97 14 13 .519 6 6 .500 3rd
1997-98 12 12 .500 6 6 .500 2nd
1998-99 20 7 .741 10 2 .833 1st
1999-00 22 5 .815 8 2 .800 2nd
2000-01 22 5 .815 11 1 .917 1st
2001-02 23 3 .885 12 0 1.000 1st
2002-03 15 10 .600 na na
Totals 326 117 .736 112 32 .778
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