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Women's Basketball Captures Dead River Company Classic Title
Nov. 25, 2006
ORONO, Maine - Freshman guard Amanda Tewksbury drilled a 17-foot jumper at the buzzer to lift the University of Maine women's basketball team to an 80-78 victory over Clemson in the Dead River Company Classic championship on Saturday night at Alfond Arena. Maine improved to 4-1 with their third-straight victory. The Black Bears improved to 4-1 to begin a season for the first time since the 1997-98 campaign. Maine was led in scoring by Bracey Barker with 24 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks. She was named the America East Player of the Game for her efforts. It marked the fifth time in as many games this season that Barker led the Black Bears in scoring. Ashley Underwood chipped in 22 points, while Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa came off the bench to contribute 11 points and five boards. The Classic championship was the third for Maine in the program's history. The Black Bears also accomplished the feat in 1995 and 2004. The Black Bears found themselves trailing 75-74 with 2:28 remaining in the contest. However, Underwood converted four-straight free throws to put Maine up 78-75. Christy Brown knocked down a three-pointer with 11 seconds remaining in the game to knot it at 78 for Clemson. Following a timeout, Maine ran a half-court as Underwood kicked it to Tewksbury in the corner, who spotted up and drilled the jumper to pull out the win. The victory was Maine's first over a major conference-foe since the 2004-05 season when the Black Bears defeated Michigan of the Big Ten, 69-61. Maine held a slim 41-40 lead at halftime, thanks in part to 18 points from Barker.
The Dead River Company Classic All-Tournament team included Kia Wright (St. John's), Ashley King-Bischof (Brown), Lele Hardy (Clemson), D'Lesha Lloyd (Clemson) and Underwood. Barker garnered the tournament MVP and joined Cindy Blodgett and Missy Traversi as the three Black Bears to garner the award.
Lloyd led Clemson with 16 points, while Brown added 14. Hardy had eight points and 10 boards. Maine returns to action Wednesday when it travels to Hanover, N.H., to face defending Ivy League tri-champion Dartmouth at 7 p.m. and Leede Arena. The game will be broadcast throughout the Bangor area on WZON-AM 620 and worldwide on the internet at www.zoneradio.com(.) |
