FORT MYERS, Florida — Sigi Koizar posted a career-high 30 points to lead the University of Maine women’s basketball team to a 69-65 victory over Missouri State on day two of the Gulf Coast Showcase Saturday.
The game featured five ties and 11 lead changes.
Liz Wood added 13 points and eight rebounds while Sophie Weckstrom chipped in 12 points and five assists for the Black Bears (4-3).
The Maine offense assisted on 18 of their 24 field goals with 34 points coming from inside the paint. Maine finished the contest 24-for-54 (44 percent) from the floor.
Tyonna Snow paced Missouri State (2-4) with 25 points and Liza Fruendt added 14.
Neither team led by more than four in the opening 10 quarter with six lead changes and four ties in the first quarter.
The Black Bears, leading by one early in the second quarter, were able to stretch their lead to six after five straight points from Koizar.
MSU was able to chip the lead down to a pair by 3-pointers on each side of a Maine bucket from Koizar and Wood.
A late layup with six seconds left in the half by Anna Heise sent Maine to the break leading 33-26.
The Black Bears opened the third quarter with a 5-0 run as Weckstrom’s three and a layup from Bella Swan gave Maine a 38-26 lead.
Missouri State closed the third quarter with a 14-3 run before scoring the first two points of the fourth quarter to take a 51-50 lead.
An 8-0 run by the Black Bears, propelled by 3-pointers from Weckstrom and Koizar, put Maine a back on top, 62-55 with 3:19 remaining.
Missouri State cut the Maine lead back down to one with 48 seconds left. However, the Black Bears closed the game 5-for-6 from the free throw line to secure the win.
Maine will play the winner of LSU and Marist Sunday at 1 p.m. on the final day of the Gulf Coast Showcase.