University of Maine
South Ala.
Black Bears Fall to South Alabama in the Consolation Game
11/27/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ORONO, Maine – The Maine women's basketball team (1-4) fell 66-55 to South Alabama (3-3), despite a career high 19 points from Samantha Wheeler (Derry, N.H./Timberlane Regional). Wheeler, the America East Player of the Game, also recorded her first ever made three pointer while pulling down eight rebounds. She added three assists and one steal in 32 minutes of play.
The Black Bears held the Lady Jags to just 29.2% shooting, but 11 of their 19 field goals came from behind the arc. Maine has held the last four opponents to below 40% shooting.
Maine shot an improved 36.4% from yesterday but was unable to match South Alabama's proficiency from behind the arc. The Lady Jags were led by Sarda Peterson's 17 points. Siedah Banks added 13 points, while Christian Shelter drained eight and pulled down 12 boards.
Ashleigh Roberts (Wilmington, Del./Concord) recorded her second double-digit performance with 11 points while tallying seven rebounds and two assists. Corinne Wellington (Rochester, N.Y./Wilson Magnet) added nine points and five rebounds while blocking a pair of shots.
Amber Smith (Ipswich, Mass./Ipswich) was limited to seven points and scored under 10 points for the first time this season. She is the first player in Maine history to open her final freshman season with four 10+ scoring efforts since Missy Traversi in the 2001-02 season.
Rachele Burns (Gorham, Maine/Gorham) made her first appearance of her career in the first half. She finished the game with three points, two rebounds and one assist in 16 minutes. Burns played in just her first regulation game since her junior year of high school.
South Alabama led 30-18 at the half. The Lady Jags had six different players make a three pointer in the first half. They were led by Siedah Banks' eight points. Wheeler led the Black Bears with six points, while Roberts added five points.
USA opened the contest with a 12-2 run, but Maine rallied with an 8-2 run to cut the lead to 14-10 with 11:49 remaining. South Alabama opened up a 12 point lead with four minutes to play and led by 12 at the break.
The Black Bears cut the Lady Jags' lead to eight points right out of the break; however, South Alabama opened up a 16 point lead with eight minutes to go.
Wheeler and Siedah Banks were named to the Dead River Company Classic All-Tournament Team from the consolation game. They were joined by Cassie Consedine and Angela Myers from Navy, and Jordan Jones from Florida. Azania Stewart was named the Dead River Company Classic MOP after the Gators defeated the Midshipmen 52-43 in the championship game.
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