WATERVILLE, Maine - Men's and Women's Basketball opens their North Atlantic Conference play today when they travel to Maine Maritime Academy.
Men's Basketball (2-3) will play first at 1 p.m. The young team has already exceeded expectations this season under Head Coach Deshon Gaither and may surprise many in the conference.
The Terriers opened their season with an impressive 82-80 win at home over the University of Southern Maine. They lost their next two games to Colby and Bowdoin but continued to show growth on both offensive and defense.
Thomas was able to bounce back with a solid 71-65 win over Fort Kent right before the Thanksgiving break. After the holiday they traveled to Amherst who is nationally ranked No. 21 in the country and while they did lose, they played their best game of the season.
Senior Demetris Webster (Port St. Lucie, Fla.) leads the team in points with 12.2 per game, he also leads the team in assists. First year Sawyer Deprey (Caribou, Maine) has really impressed so far this season, averaging 10 points per game and five rebounds.
Maine Maritime Men's Basketball (1-5) comes into the contest having lost their last two games but don't let their record fool you, as they are coming off of an impressive game against Bowdoin College. They lost their first three games of the season including their season opener to Fort Kent but just like Thomas they have gotten stronger as the season has progressed.
The Mariners had an impressive outing against Bowdoin, where they lost by only a single point. Their lone win this season so far came against the University of New England on November 14th.
Click here to live stream the Men's Basketball at 1 p.m.
Thomas Women's Basketball (1-5) is scheduled for a 3 p.m. tip off in Castine. The Terriers have a good mix of experience and newcomers on their roster this year under Head Coach Emily Cummins.
They started off the season with two tough losses in Vermont, the first to New England College and the second to host Castleton University. Thomas traveled to Bates the following weekend for two games. First, they lost to a talented Bates team before facing off against New England College for the second time in two weeks. Unfortunately, they came up short again against the Pilgrims but overall played a better game the second time around.
The Terriers were able to bounce back in their home opener against the University of Maine at Fort Kent, winning a tight battle 62-58. Eight days later they traveled to Saint Joseph's College where they played a great first half but a huge third quarter by the Monks, put the game out of reach for Thomas.
Senior Captain Kaylee Ravagli (Lowell, Mass.) leads the team 15.2 points per game as well as 5.7 assists per game. Ravagli also has a team high 17 three pointers made this season. Sophomore Chantel Ouellette (Auburn, Maine) is another big contributor to the offense, averaging just over 10 points per game and is tied with Ravagli for the most steals on the team.
Maine Maritime Women's Basketball (5-2) will be a tough test for Thomas. Their two losses this season have come against Springfield College and Bates. Their most impressive win was a 38-point thumping of University of Maine at Fort Kent.
First year Maria Barela leads the Mariners in scoring, averaging just under 11 points per game. Senior Lauren Plissey leads the team in rebounds with an impressive 9.7 rebounds per game as well as contributing 9.4 points a contest.
Click here to live stream the Women's Basketball at 3 p.m.
