The Bangor girls team put up a fight against top-seeded Oxford Hills, but the Vikings offense proved too powerful in the second half. Oxford Hills escaped with a 53-41 win Wednesday in Portland that felt much closer than the final score.
In a post-game interview with WHOU, Oxford Hills coach Cimeron Colby was asked about the back-and-forth nature for most of the game, before Oxford Hills eventually was able to take control.
“I think that’s mostly because Bangor is tough. I mean, they are tough as nails,” Colby said.
He said the Vikings had trouble setting up their offense against Bangor’s full-court press, saying his team was “helter skelter and frantic” before eventually settling in and getting the ball into the right players’ hands.
The right hands for the Vikings often belonged to Miss Maine Basketball semifinalist Ella Pelletier, who led all scorers with 24 points on Wednesday.
Bangor senior guard and co-captain Ayzlynn Gifford led the way for the Rams with 17 points. Bangor and Oxford Hills had split their two previous games this year, each winning one.
The Vikings hit their free throws down the stretch at the Cross Insurance Arena, erasing a 22-17 halftime lead for the Rams of Bangor. Oxford Hills led 38-35 heading into the final quarter, and didn’t let up from there.
Oxford Hills advances to the AA North final against Cheverus on Saturday in Portland.