With under a minute to play the USM women’s basketball team found themselves in a predicament last Thursday in Gorham. The score was 57-55 (USM) and the University of New England had possession. UNE patiently waited for the open shot but USM’s defenders rushed the ball, smothering UNE’s opportunity for a good look at the hoop. The shot clock wound down, and it came time for UNE to try and force the tying shot. Freshman guard Tiffany Jones stepped up on defense before the UNE shooter could release her attempt from the foul line.
Jones stuffed the shot. USM recovered the ball, and Jones ran with the fast break up the left side of the court, received the ball as she cut to the hoop and laid the final points in to secure USM victory at 59-55.
Not a bad way to end the game for Jones in her first start of the season and her college career. At the beginning of this year, the freshman had been coming off the bench, but after scoring 33 points on a double over-time night against Bowdoin last Monday, Jones was promoted to starter. In her first game starting she had a tough night, turning the ball over three times and shooting only 3-11 from the field, but her clutch play in the end of the game helped to omit the tough stats.
“It may be a good thing that she didn’t play so well tonight,” said Coach Gary Fifield, of his young player’s development.
Over the first five games of the year, a freshman could hardly ask for better numbers. Jones was named both Little East Conference and Maine Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Rookie of the Week for her play from Nov. 25 to Dec. 1. After three games she averaged a team-leading 15.7 points and four rebounds per game. Jones alsoplayed a key role in closing the come-free-behind victory against a very talented Bates team, scoring 20 points for the game and capitalizing on a three-point-play with a minute left to seal USM’s comeback.
“We knew she was a very good player at the beginning of the season, but we didn’t know she was going to have such a great start,” said Fifield.
“I didn’t expect to start,” said Jones. “I expected to come off the bench and bring energy to the team.”
She admitted to being nervous coming into her first career start, but remained positive after the game.
“I need to work on just doing what Coach asks of me,” said Jones. “Things like containing, playing hard and taking care of the ball.”
The Lady Huskies improved their record to 4-1 on the season and still have three important games before the break. They appear to be in traditional form for a USM women’s basketball team, having had their only loss come in double-overtime against No. 2 nationally-ranked Bowdoin. The game against UNE ,however, was not one of USM’s best performances of the season.
“They played well for 15 minutes,” said Fifield, “five minutes at the end of the first half and then 10 at the beginning of the second.”
In order to continue winning, Jones believes that the team needs to come together during dry spells and to come to the games ready to play.
As to whether or not Jones will start the next game, Fifield said, “Sometimes players don’t realize that it is not who starts the game but who finishes it.”