MOOSE FALL SHORT IN SEASON OPENER
AUBURN, ME – The University of Maine at Augusta women's basketball team started the 2021-22 season on the road (while acting as the home team) on Friday, taking on Villa Maria College. After a strong start in the first half, the Moose offense slowed and were outscored in the second half. Villa Maria walked away with a 58-47 victory. With the loss the Moose drop to 0-1.
Hope Butler (Jr. - Rockland, ME) recorded the first points for the moose with a 3 point basket that put the moose on top 2-3 with 6:49 to go in the 1st quarter. 30 seconds later Taz Valencia (Fr. - Odessa TX) scored to give the moose a 4-5 lead; a lead the moose held until 6:46 remaining in the 3rd quarter when Cortinea Smith (Villa) hit a 3 point jumper to give Villa Maria a 29-27 lead. Madeline Suhr (Sr. - Georgetown, ME) tied the game at 33-33 with 3:19 remaining in the 3rd quarter. The Vikings closed out the 3rd quarter with a five point lead. The Lady Moose continued to fight in the 4th quarter and with 6:25 remaining in the game; Sydney LeBlanc (Sr. - Madison, ME) went to the foul line and sank both to pull UMA within 3 at 46-43. The final 6 minutes were all Villa as they went on a 12-4 run to close out the contest en route to their first win.
The Moose saw heavy minutes from their starting five. Madeline Suhr (Sr. - Georgetown, ME) lead the moose in scoring by netting 16 points in 33 minutes of play and a team-high 4 offensive rebounds. Kaeti Butterfield (Jr. - Monmouth, ME) paced the moose in rebound finishing with 9. Taz Valencia (Fr. - Odessa, TX) lead the way in assists with 4.
The moose will next take the court on Wednesday, November 10th at 6pm when they host Central Maine CC at the Augusta Civic Center. Reminder that all fans in attendance are required to be masked at all times while inside the arena. If you can't join us in person remember to watch the live stream on the UMA Athletic Page page or through Munzing Media Sports