The former Mt. Blue standout and freshman guard at Central Maine Community College knew that her hot hand could very well be contagious. So she tried to set the tone before the showdown with New Hampshire Technical Institute got too far along.
“We have a really good team effort,” Foy said. “I know when I come out hitting, then everyone will get up and start hitting the shots too. So I do if for the team.”
Foy had 16 of her 21 points in the first half as the Mustangs jumped out on the Lynx and built an early lead. CMCC never looked back in an 88-60 win.
Foy had four 3s in the first half and to help lead the Mustangs to a 44-18 lead by halftime. Her start was crucial for CMCC, which was playing its second game in as many nights and had starter Susie French on the bench early with two fouls.
The Mustangs (8-1) also got superb efforts from Samantha Bruce and Laura Soohey off the bench. Soohey did a nice job in the post and scored all nine of her points in the first half. Bruce finished with a team-high 24 off the bench. She had 15 in the second half, including four of her five 3s.
“The theme of our season so far has been girls coming off the bench and being able to be impact players,” said CMCC coach Andrew Morong. “I think that’s important as we move forward and build our depth and build our confidence.”
NHTI had a strong post game, led by Allura LeBlanc’s 20 points, but CMCC was able to overwhelm the Lynx in the backcourt. The Mustang’s defensive pressure limited NHTI to just 18 points in the first half.
“It’s all created by our defense,” Morong said. “A lot of people talk about how many points we score. They don’t realize how hard we work on defense to create those opportunities.”
CMCC jumped out to a quick 10-2 start thanks to Foy’s eight points. NHTI got within six twice in the next few minutes but were never closer than nine the rest of the way. Even though French, who finished with 17 points, went to the bench with two fouls early, the Mustangs didn’t skip a beat. The newcomers were able to pick up the slack and build the lead.
“At first it was intimidating,” said Foy about being a freshman and trying to fit in. “They won the championship last year and went to nationals. They really welcomed us with open arms and we’ve bonded really well as a team.”
Soohey had a stretch where she scored seven points and helped CMCC double the lead. CMCC used a 13-3 run to make it 31-13. Then an 8-2 spurt late in the half made it 40-17.
“We don’t have just one shooter,” Foy said. “We have a lot of really good weapons on and off the bench.”
After the 44-18 lead at the half, Foy hit back-to-back shots from the outside, including a 3. Then CMCC broke it wide open with a barrage of 3’s. Bruce hit four while Shay Cole and Janelle Thornley each added one. CMCC had an 14-7 start to the second half to expand the lead to 59-25.
NHTI also got 10 points from guard Sara Romano, who reached the 1,000-point mark in the first half with a 3.
kmills@sunjournal.com
-
- Central Maine Community College’s Lexi Larson scores despite being fouled by NHTI’s Danielle Kimball during first half action in Auburn Thursday night.
-
- CMCC’s Jasmine Ramos is fouled as she drives to the basket during Thursday night’s game.
-
- Central Maine Community College’s Jasmine Ramos, left, and Lexi Larson double team NHTI’s Jillian Roberts to force a turnover during Thursday night’s game in Auburn.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
