The No. 2 Old Town girls basketball team dispatched No. 10 Maine Central Institute 66-27 in the Class B North regional quarterfinals on Friday, outscoring the Huskies 23-2 in the second quarter and never looking back.
With the win, Old Town improved to 17-2 on the season, and advanced to the regional semifinals against No. 6 Mount Desert Island (13-6) at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 21 at the Cross Center.
MCI finished the season 10-10, after upsetting No. 7 Erskine Academy 49-47 in the preliminary rounds.
Friday’s victory was business as usual for reigning regional finalists Old Town, whose defense conceded just 33.1 points per game this season. The Huskies fought valiantly and trailed 13-11 after one quarter, but the Coyotes’ elite defensive instincts kicked in soon after, and they entered halftime with nine steals and a 34-13 lead.
On offense, Old Town was powered by versatile sophomore guard Taylor Loring and 5-foot-9 senior Saige Evans, who has committed to play at Husson University next season, both of whom filled the stat sheet in all respects. Loring finished with 17 points, two assists and three steals, while Evans went off for 19 points, five offensive rebounds, two assists and three steals — the duo also successfully converted on and-one plays once apiece.
The Huskies were led by gritty junior guard Kayleigh Dunton (15 points; three 3-pointers) and multifaceted senior forward Skyla Dean (four points, three assists, two steals). Junior forwards Adrianna Smith and Aleah Harris combined for MCI’s eight other points on Friday.
