University of Maine at Augusta women's basketball coach Heath Cowan brings his team together during a Feb. 4 practice in Augusta. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

AUGUSTA — On paper,  it appeared the University of Maine at Augusta women’s basketball team would be in rebuild mode this season.

Instead, the Moose (24-2) are well on their way to one of the best seasons in program history.

UMA, which has already set a school record for wins in a season, are 12-1 in the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC). The Moose, who haven’t lost a game since Nov. 16, are ranked No. 3 in the nation in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.

“December was good, January was good. We’re just hoping February (and March) are good as well,” said UMA head coach Heath Cowan with a laugh. “They go out there and just keep playing, keep doing what we’re doing. In the end, it’s worked out pretty well for us in the last couple months.

UMA isn’t winning with a roster of savvy veterans, but instead with talented freshmen and sophomores. The oldest and most experienced player is junior guard Alisyn Alley, a Stearns High School graduate who is averaging 14.7 points per game.

“This year’s team has a lot of skill, with the ability to push the ball (offensively),” Alley said. “I think that’s great for our team. We’ve tried to do that in the past, it just hasn’t worked out. I think with this team, we have a really good skill group. It’s nice to play with girls who know what they’re doing.”

The Moose are the only team to defeat Central Maine Community College (24-1) this season — an 87-81 overtime decision on Jan. 29. The victory snapped the Moose’s six-game losing streak to CMCC, with their last victory in February 2022.

University of Maine at Augusta women’s basketball player Sage Fortin smiles while running around a cone in a drill during a Feb. 4 practice in Augusta. Anna Chadwick/Morning Sentinel

“I also think we have really good team chemistry this year,” said sophomore forward Lillian Cox, who is averaging 10.9 rebounds per game.

Three players are averaging at least 14 points this season: Alley, sophomore guard and Cony High School grad Sage Fortin (18 ppg), and freshman guard Bella Petrocci (14.6 ppg).

Petrocci, a New York native, is shooting 42.9% from behind the 3-point line, the highest in the nation among USCAA schools. The Moose are averaging 77.7 points per game.

“Having a Sage Fortin and an Alisyn Alley (helps), those two kids can play,” Cowan said. “Bella has been an amazing addition. Compared to the last couple of years, we have kids who, when things start to teeter, multiple kids (can contribute).”

“Seeing (the young players) and how they’ve developed for the last couple of months, it’s been very exciting,” added sophomore forward Elizabeth Crommett, a Lawrence High School graduate.

The Moose have reached the USCAA Division II tournament each of the past three years under Cowan, and should be there again next month. UMA has reached the second round of the tournament each year, but is eager to take the next step.

“We want to stay humble and (focus on our game),” Alley said. “We want to win the (YSCC) championship. We’re staying confident, but not too confident.”