AUBURN, ME – The Villa Maria College women's basketball team started the 2021-22 season on the road on Friday, taking on the University of Maine Augusta. After a slow start in the first half, the Vikings offense clicked in the second and they were able to secure a 58-47 win. With the first victory under their belt, they hold a 1-0 record, while the Moose drop to 0-1.
 
Chmicka Kennedy scored the first points of the season on a layup from an assist by Maria Falgana. Leah McQuiller knocked down a jump shot to give the team a 4-3 lead, but that is where the tide shifted against the Vikings. The Moose captured a 12-4 advantage and forced a time out by head coach, Mike McCarthy. Villa never let their deficit exceed eight points as five different Vikings were able to contribute with scoring. When the horn sounded for half-time, Villa found themselves down 23-19.
 
In the third quarter, Maine Augusta once again jumped ahead by eight points at the 9:11 mark, but the team began to find their groove. Danyea Barclay knocked down a jumper and five straight points by Kennedy shrunk the gap to just one point. A three-pointer by Cortinea Smith jolted the team ahead and they never looked back. Important jump shots by McQuiller kept Villa ahead by three points before a Jordon Wright three-pointer with 1:14 in the third quarter extended the advantage to six. As the fourth quarter moved along, the Moose were still fighting and attempting to remain in the game, but Wright cashed in a three-pointer that proved to be the dagger. The Vikings walked away with a 58-47 victory in the season opener.
 
Kennedy and Wright both scored 13 points each in 29 minutes of action. Wirght knocked down 3-for-6 from beyond the arc and Kennedy converted 5-for-6 from the charity stripe. McQuiller was the only other double-digit scorer with ten points in 29 minutes off the bench. Barclay filled out the stat sheet with nine points, 13 rebounds, seven blocks, four steals and three assists.
 
The battle of Maine continues on Saturday, October 30, when Villa take on Central Maine Community College at 6 p.m. It will be the opening game for the Mustangs and the second game of a three game trip for the Vikings.
 
Be sure to stay up to date on all of your Viking's scores and news by following @VillaVikings on Twitter, @villavikings on Instagram and by liking the "Villa Maria Vikings" Facebook page.