JOHNSON, Vt.- The Northern Vermont University-Johnson women's basketball team struggled to score in the second half and fell to the University of Maine Fort Kent by a score of 74-35 on Sunday afternoon.
The Badgers were led by freshman Amorette Rodriquez (Downey, CA) and senior forward Mariah Ramos (Lebanon, NH). Both Rodriquez and Ramos scored 9 points apiece. Rodriquez shot a team best 50% from the floor on 4-8 shooting, while Ramos was tied with teammate Alexandra Barry (Hopewell Jct, NY) for a team high in rebounds with 4 apiece. The Bengals took an early 17-10 lead after the first quarter. Tajaheray McMahan lead the Bengals with a game high 20 points on 9-16 shooting.
The Badgers started the second quarter with a made three-point field goal by Ramos. After two quick Bengal baskets, junior Kaitlyn Brouard (Milton, Vt.) hit a three of her own to bring the game within five points. The Bengals responded with a basket and one of two free throws from Trinity Washington to give the Bengals an 8 point lead half way through the second quarter. Washington finished the game with 18 points and 8 rebounds. The Badgers continued to chip away at the deficit, Ramos scored a quick layup and Jocelyn Pellerin (Keene, NH) connected on a three pointer. With the deficit cut down to just three points the Bengals controlled their composure and continued to control the tempo of the game ending the half on a 11-5 run and leading the Badgers by a score of 35-26 headed into the second half.
The second half was a different story for the Badgers as they were held to just nine points, while giving up 39 points to the Bengals. The Badgers struggled against the pressure of Fort Kent's quick paced aggressive defense. The Badgers had 29 turnovers that resulted in 24 points for the Bengals, and only turned the Bengals over 13 times.
The Badgers conclude the first half of the season with a record of 2-10 and return to action on Saturday, January 5th when they travel to face Anna Maria.