(South Portland, Maine)- The SUNY Canton women's basketball team shrugged off a sluggish first 30 minutes to beat the University of Maine at Machias 63-38 in the first round of the 2007-08 Sunrise Conference Basketball Championsips at Southern Maine Community College on Saturday. The top-seeded Roos (12-8) will play the winner of No. 2 University of Maine at Fort Kent vs. No. 3 College of St. Joseph for the championship and a trip to the NAIA national tournament on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Roos (12-8) were clinging to a 36-31 lead midway through the second half before Megan Davis (Hammond, N.Y.) helped jump start a 9-0 run. Davis scored two consecutive layups and then, after a Jackie Maynard (Brasher Falls, N.Y.) basket, buried a 3-pointer for a 45-31 lead.

That gap would stretch following another Davis three and two nice set plays by the Roos. The first came when Davis fed Shannon LaFave (Ogdensburg, N.Y.) off a pick and role and LaFave was fouled and hit the ensuing free throw for a three-point play. Those two hooked up again on the Roos next possession as LaFave fed Davis who completed a three-point play after she scored and was fouled.

Mindy Small (Ogdensburg, N.Y.) sank two free throws with 53 seconds left in regulation for the final margin and the Roos largest lead of the day.

Davis finished with a game-high 18 points and two rebounds. LaFave had 13 points and three rebounds.

Lauren Ploof (Hammond, N.Y.) added 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and four steals. Maynard contributed eight points and 13 rebounds and Small finished with six points and eight boards.

Sara Wells had 12 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Clippers (11-16). Jennie Hare added nine points and eight rebounds and Caitlin Heller chipped in with nine points and six rebounds.

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