University of Maine
Stony Brook
#8 Maine Defeats #9 Stony Brook in Opening Round of America East Tournament
3/1/2012 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Game Highlights
W. HARTFORD, Conn. -- Clutch free throw shooting, offensive rebounding and defensive efforts down the stretch proved to be the difference as the Black Bears picked up their first America East tournament win since 2006, downing #9 Stony Brook 49-43 in Thursday evening's opening round matchup. Samantha Baranowski (Stanhope, N.J.) paced the Black Bear attack with 16 points and eight rebounds while Danielle Walczak (Lee, N.H.) added 10 points and eight rebounds.
Brittany Williams (Rochester, N.Y.) contributed nine points and eight rebounds while Rebecca Knight (Alfred, Maine) chipped in eight points, six rebounds and a team-high four assists.
The Black Bears jumped out to an early 11-4 lead after 6:08 of play. Williams started the Maine scoring as she hit a three to give Maine its first lead off an assist from Courtney Anderson (Greene, Maine). Back-to-back buckets from Baranowski added to the Maine lead before Ashleigh Roberts (Wilmington, Del.) drove the lane for a pair. After a Stony Brook hoop, Corinne Wellington (Rochester, N.Y.) found Baranowski on the low block. Barnaowski was able to lay the ball up and off glass to give the Black Bears an early seven point edge.
The Seawolves answered, closing the gap to just three on a 7-1 run over the next 4:12. Maine responded with a 4-0 run on a layup by Walczak off a nice pass from the top of the key from Knight before Williams was able to knock down a pair of free throws to extend Maine's lead back to five.
Stony Brook continued to close the gap as a 5-2 run, fueled by a three from Dani Klupenger, brought the Seawolves back within two, 18-16. The teams matched each other with hoops down the stretch before Knight's layup in the final seconds sent Maine to the locker room up 22-18.
The Seawolves started the second half on a 14-4 run to take a 32-26 lead as they hit six of their first seven shots in the half after shooting just 25% in the opening half.
Maine answered with a 9-2 run to take a one point lead. Baranowski got fouled on a made shot and completed the old fashioned three point play. The senior forward then got a big block on the opposite end that led to a made jumper for Maine after Roberts kicked the ball out to Knight who knocked down the shot from the right corner.
After a Stony Brook make, Knight knocked down another deep jumper, this time from the left corner. The freshman guard completed her own 6-0 run as she pulled down an offensive board and went right back up strong, regaining the lead for Maine 35-34 with just over eight minutes to play in the half.
The two teams would trade the lead until a three from Klupenger gave the Seawolves a 43-41 edge with 3:52 to play in the second half.
A pair of clutch free throws by Williams tied things up. After a flurry underneath on Maine's next possession, Baranowski came down with an offensive rebound and capitalized with a make to give the Black Bears a 45-43 edge with 1:05 to play.
Stony Brook worked its offense on the other end, getting the ball inside but Baranowski would deny the shot, forcing the Seawolves into a shot clock violation. Walczak and Baranowski would hit four out of six free throws down the stretch sealing the deal as Maine took the opening round contest 49-43.
The Black Bears will now face the #1 seeded Boston University Terriers in quarterfinal action tomorrow at 12:05 p.m.
-U-M-
