CASTINE, Maine – Freshman Kylie Lamson (Saco, Maine) scored 28 points in her collegiate debut to lead Saint Joseph's College (1-0) past Maine Maritime Academy (0-1), 80-77, in a women's basketball season opener at Smith Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon.
Lamson drained seven of her 10 three-point attempts and went 7-for-7 from the free-throw line, while graduate forward Grace Ramsdell (Wells, Maine) added 23 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Maine Maritime led, 21-18, after the opening quarter, but Saint Joseph's answered with three-pointers from Lamson and sophomore Lily Bean (Ellsworth, Maine) to take a 24-21 advantage early in the second.
After the Mariners regained a 31-30 lead, the Monks closed the half on a 9-2 run to enter intermission ahead, 39-33. Lamson supplied five free throws during the stretch and assisted on a three-pointer by sophomore Layla Facchiano (Auburn, Maine), while Ramsdell added a free throw.
Maine Maritime pulled even at 52-52 with 1:39 remaining in the third quarter, but Saint Joseph's responded with an 11-4 run spanning the quarter break. Senior Abby Dube (Groveland, Mass.) opened the stretch with a three-pointer, Ramsdell sank two free throws, and Lamson connected from beyond the arc with one second left in the third and again 16 seconds into the fourth to give the Monks a 63-56 lead.
The Mariners rallied to tie the game, 71-71, with 2:41 remaining, but senior Maddie Russell (Oakfield, Maine) answered with a three-pointer at 2:12 and added a free throw to restore a four-point cushion.
After Maine Maritime cut the deficit to two, Ramsdell drained a three-pointer off a Lamson assist with 40 seconds left to make it 78-73. Lamson sealed the victory with two free throws with nine seconds remaining before a late Mariners basket accounted for the 80-77 final.
STATS OF THE GAME:
The Monks' perimeter shooting proved decisive, as Saint Joseph's connected on 14 three-pointers compared to four for Maine Maritime. Lamson and Ramsdell combined for 51 points and nine of the team's 14 triples.
LEADERS - SAINT JOSEPH'S:
- Lamson scored a game-high 28 points on 7-for-12 shooting and added four assists and a steal in 34 minutes.
- Ramsdell went 8-for-17 from the floor and led the Monks in rebounds (nine) and assists (six).
- Senior Maddie Russell (Oakfield, Maine) contributed eight points, three rebounds, two assists, and a block while making both of her three-point attempts.
- Junior Hayden Madore (Hallowell, Maine) added six points, three assists, and two rebounds.
- Sophomore Layla Facchiano (Auburn, Maine) chipped in five points, four rebounds, and an assist while making both of her field-goal attempts.
- Senior Abby Dube (Groveland, Mass.) added five points.
LEADERS – MAINE MARITIME:
- Olivia Silkaitis recorded 21 points and 10 rebounds while going 8-for-10 from the free-throw line.
- Adalynn Busch tallied 17 points and 11 rebounds on 8-for-11 shooting.
- Laney Lyle contributed 13 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals.
- Addison Forry added 10 points and five rebounds.
TEAM STATS:
Saint Joseph's shot 50.0% (24-48) from the field, 48.3% (14-29) from three-point range, and 75.0% (18-24) from the free-throw line. Maine Maritime finished at 45.5% (30-66) overall, 21.1% (4-19) from beyond the arc, and 76.5% (13-17) at the stripe.
The Monks held a 16-11 advantage in assists, while the Mariners led in rebounds (37-29), offensive rebounds (15-5), and points in the paint (46-20).
HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:
Saint Joseph's improved to 14-7 all-time against Maine Maritime with its second consecutive victory in the series.
Lamson's 28 points marked the most scored by an SJC player in her first NCAA game since Carolyn Freeman netted 19 against Green Mountain College on November 18, 2006.
NEXT!
Saint Joseph's hosts Husson University in its home opener Wednesday, November 11, at 5:30 PM at the Harold Alfond Center.
