Maine-Augusta’s Second Quarter Costs Women’s Basketball, 68-53

CONCORD, N.H. ---- University of Maine at Augusta used a big second quarter and held on to outlast the Massasoit CC women's basketball team, 68-53, on Saturday in the Warriors first game of the NHTI Holiday Inn Tournament.

Massasoit (4-7) was led by Tatiana Dias (Brockton) who finished with a career-high 28 points on 12 of 27 shooting. The freshman point guard made a pair of 3s and pulled down eight boards in the loss.

Natascha Elias (Brockton) added 10 points and Laura Malley (Halifax) pulled down 10 rebounds for the Warriors.

Trailing 15-12 after one quarter of play, the Warriors were in striking distance entering the second period. However, the Moose (13-5) could not miss in the second, outscoring Massasoit 27-14, including making five 3s. The big second quarter led to a 42-26 Moose advantage at the break, too much for the Warriors to overcome.

"It seemed like U-Maine (Augusta) didn't miss a shot in the second quarter," head coach Taryn Johnson said. "They led the entire game, but we hung with them until the last five minutes of the second quarter when they pulled away. Despite the loss, I was proud of the way we fought back in the fourth quarter."

Massasoit outscored U-Maine Augusta, 27-26, in the second half. But the second quarter proved to be the difference in the contest.

All five Moose starters scored in double figures. Jamie Plummer finished with 12 points and a game-high 18 rebounds (nine offensive).