STANDISH, Maine – Saint Joseph's College (2–1) used a red-hot fourth quarter to pull away for an 81–73 victory over Maine Maritime Academy (0–1) in the Monks' 2025-26 home opener on Mike McDevitt Court at the Harold Alfond Center on Wednesday night.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The matchup remained tight through three quarters, featuring eight ties and 10 lead changes. Maine Maritime came out hot, shooting 58% (7-12) in the opening period to take an 18–16 lead. Both offenses cooled in the second, as the teams combined to shoot just 9-for-34 (26.5%), sending the in-state rivals into halftime deadlocked at 35–35.
After the break, the back-and-forth battle continued with three lead changes and three ties before Saint Joseph's gained momentum late in the third. Junior Maddie Russell (Oakland, Maine) and senior Logan Brown (Brunswick, Maine) scored on consecutive possessions just three seconds apart, pushing the Monks ahead 47–42 with 3:08 remaining. The Mariners countered with a 12–4 surge, fueled by seven points from sophomore Addison Forry (Laramie, Wyo.), before senior Elisabeth Stapelfeld (Brookline, N.H.) buried a three-pointer to send the teams into the final quarter tied at 54–54.
In the decisive fourth, Saint Joseph's erupted for 27 points on 73% shooting, including a perfect 5-for-5 from beyond the arc. Brown drilled three triples in the period, and Stapelfeld capped her 20-point effort with clutch free throws down the stretch as the Monks outscored Maine Maritime 27–19 to seal the win.
TEAM STATS:
Saint Joseph's and Maine Maritime shot an identical 40.9% (27-66) from the floor, but the Monks' three-point accuracy (13-for-27, 48.1%) proved to be the difference compared to MMA's 6-for-18 effort. The Monks converted 14 of 22 free throws (63.6%), forced 21 turnovers that turned into 19 points, and held a 22-11 lead in bench points in the victory.
The Mariners held a slight edge on the glass (45–38) and tallied 19 second-chance points but was unable to slow down the Monks' balanced outside attack in the final minutes.
LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S:
- Elisabeth Stapelfeld: 20 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals
- Logan Brown: 17 points (4-for-9 3FG), 4 rebounds
- Madison Lebel (Sr., Hermon, Maine): 11 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals
- Layla Facchiano (Fr., Auburn, Maine) – 11 points, 4 assists off the bench
- Maddie Russell: 9 points, 4 assists
LEADERS – MAINE MARITIME:
- Addison Forry: 18 points, 10 rebounds (double-double)
- Jacquelin Castro (Sr., Melbourne, Fla.): 16 points, 9 boards
- Hailey Blanchard (Jr., Colorado Springs, Colo.): 13 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists
- Laney Lyle (Jr., Houston, Texas): 11 points, 6 rebounds
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:
With the win Saint Joseph's improves to 13-7 all-time versus Maine Maritime Academy and snaps a three-game losing streak at the hands of the Mariners.
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's will play at Husson University on Saturday at 6:00 PM.
