From Mike Whaley, Ball603

Liz Cote and Avah Ingalls have each taken a college basketball journey that is the exception and not the norm.

Cote, a 2020 graduate of Kennett High School in North Conway, spent her first three years of college at two different schools not playing basketball before she regained a love for the sport at the University of Southern Maine. She has been a key part of the team for the past three seasons. Ingalls graduated from Pinkerton Academy in Derry in 2022 as the recipient of three N.H. player-of-the-year awards, earning a scholarship to NCAA Division II Assumption University in Worcester, Massachusetts. She played three years for the Greyhounds as a reserve before she felt the need for a change of scenery, ending up at D-III USM where she has earned a pivotal role in the starting lineup.

The Granite State duo have played significant roles in the No. 24/25 Huskies' 19-2 start this season, leading the Little East Conference with an 11-1 record after suffering their first LEC loss on Wednesday at Rhode Island College, 70-62. Both are in the starting lineup along with a trio of Maine natives in 6-foot senior guard Jaycie Christopher, a UMaine transfer; 5-9 sophomore guard Lucy Wiles, and 6-1 sophomore forward Dakota Shipley.

"I did in a way get a second chance," Cote said. "Avah and Jaycie kind of do too because they transferred. They got a chance too."

Cote is one of the best 3-point shooters in program history. She ranks fourth in career 3-pointers attempted (503), fifth in 3-pointers made (184) and sixth in percentage (.366). Her 73 treys made last year are fourth all-time. She is a graduate student pursuing her master's degree in Leadership. Cote has started all 21 games, while averaging 7.8 ppg and has made a team-high 47 threes. 

Like Cote, Ingalls has started every game. She is averaging 7.1 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, while recording second-best numbers in assists (66) and steals (33). Christopher (18.9), Wiles (17.0) and Ripley (11.8) are USM's top scorers.