Women's Basketball to Host USM at Cross Insurance Center
11/10/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team will host the first ever NCAA basketball game at the brand new Cross Insurance Center on Monday when it welcomes the University of Southern Maine Huskies to Bangor. The Black Bears look for their second straight exhibition win in their final tune up for the 2013-14 season after defeating New Brunswick 88-38 on Nov. 2. Against New Brunswick, Maine finished with five scorers in double-figures, led by Liz Wood's 15 points and eight rebounds. The Black Bears are 17-1 all-time against Southern Maine with the last meeting coming in 1986.
A Look at Maine
The Black Bears, coming off a season in which they were one of the youngest teams in the country, return 11 letterwinners from last season's 4-24 squad. Of that 11, Maine returns four starters including America East Co-Rookie of the Year Liz Wood. Wood, who led all America East Rookies in scoring and rebounding throughout the 2012-13 season, was a six-time America East Rookie of the Week, averaged 10.3 points and 6.6 rebounds during the season. Wood led the Black Bears in assists (2.4) and steals (1.5) while shooting 35.5% from the field and 27.5% from beyond the arc. The freshman guard/forward combo ranked 14th in the league in scoring and seventh in rebounding. Maine also returns senior Ashleigh Roberts who led the Black Bears in scoring at 10.4 points with 4.7 rebounds. Courtney Anderson returns at the point as a junior averaging 4.7 points and 3.2 rebounds. Lauren Bodine returns for her sophomore year a season after ranking ninth in America East in three-point field goal percentage at 34.1%. Bodine ended the 2012-13 on a hot streak, scoring in double figures in her last four games. Maine also welcomes back a veteran presence as seniors Ali Nalivaika and Rachele Burns are back from injuries.
A Look at Southern Maine
After winning their first 18 games last season and finishing 27-2 overall after a first round exit in the Division-III NCAA tournament a season ago, the Huskies return two of their top five scorers, led by former Black Bear Rebecca Knight who averaged 12.5 points while leading the team in rebounding (8.1). Knight was named to the second team All-Little East team while leading the LEC in field goal percentage at 55.5%. Senior Erin McNamara also returns after averaging 7.5 points and a team-leading 3.0 assists. Southern Maine returns nine from last season's squad which finished 14-1 in its conference while capturing the Little East Conference title. The Huskies welcome four newcomers to their 2013-14 squad including one senior, two sophomores and a freshman. As a unit last season, the Huskies averaged 71.2 points per game while only allowing 55.1 points.
Preseason Poll
The University of Maine women's basketball team was selected to finish sixth in the 2013-14 America East Preseason Coaches Poll. The Black Bears received 27 total votes in the poll. Defending America East Champion Albany was selected as the preseason favorite as the Great Danes received 64 total votes and eight first-place tallies. The Great Danes were followed in the poll by Hartford who notched 54 votes. Stony Brook was selected third with 48 total votes while New Hampshire was picked fourth with 46 votes and one first place tally. The Vermont Catamounts were fifth in the preseason poll with 30 votes followed by Maine at 27 tallies. The Black Bears were followed by UMBC at 24 votes and Binghamton with 23 nods. UMass Lowell, new to the America East conference this season, rounded out the field with eight votes.
Next Up For The Black Bears
Maine officially opens the 2013-13 regular season on Thursday, Nov. 14 when it hosts North Dakota State at the Cross Insurance Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 PM. For tickets, call (207) 581-BEAR, 1-800-756-8326 or at www.TicketMaster.com(.)
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