FARMINGTON – The University of Maine at Farmington women’s basketball team shot 65 percent in the opening half en route to a 71-56 North Atlantic Conference victory over Castleton State College tonight at Dearborn Gymnasium.
The Beavers (11-10 overall, 9-2 in the NAC) are scheduled to host Green Mountain College Saturday with the men’s game at 2 p.m., followed by the women’s. It is Senior Day for both Farmington teams. The Spartans (12-10, 7-4) are slated to visit Thomas College Saturday.
Ashley Busque (Belgrade, ME) scored all 16 of her points in the opening half as the Beavers connected on 13 of 20 field goals to take a 36-26 advantage into intermission. Farmington’s advantage grew to as much as 21 points in the second half in claiming the victory.
Caitlyn Laflin (Farmingdale, ME) led the Beavers with 18 points with Erin Porter (Bangor, ME) adding 15 points and eight boards.
Laura Cary (Schaghticoke, NY) paced the Spartans with 12 points.
A 10-2 run — capped by a three-point play by Jillian Ross (Belfast, ME) — allowed the Beavers to open an 18-8 lead nine minutes into the contest. Behind a pair of baskets by Stephanie Bell (Starksboro, VT) and an Erinn O’Rourke (Glens Falls, NY) 3-pointer, the Spartans knocked the lead down to two points, but another run by Farmington pushed the lead to 32-21 on a Busque three on its way to the halftime command.
Six straight points by Laflin early in the second half helped the Beavers to a 49-32 cushion with 13:46 left in the game. Castleton got as close as nine points, but Farmington — with five points from Porter — went on a 13-1 run to close out the 71-56 win.
