University of Maine
Bryant
Women's Basketball Looks for 2-0 Start; Hosts Bryant Saturday Evening
11/16/2013 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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ORONO, Maine -- Maine hosts Bryant Saturday evening as it looks for its first 2-0 since 2005 when it opened up with a win at Rider 70-35 before downing Kennesaw State 88-56 at home.
The Black Bears, entering their 50th season of competition, 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 welcomes two freshmen to this season's squad; 5-10 forward Sheraton Jones and 5-8 guard Sigi Koizar.
Maine got off to a solid start as it used a fierce defensive effort and a strong second half to defeat North Dakota St. 64-59. Maine was led by Ashleigh Roberts' 18 points while Liz Wood chipped in 12 points and 13 rebounds for her sixth career double-double. Maine held the Bison to just 22 second half points while controlling the offensive glass, 16-8, and turning those 16 rebounds into 16 second chance points.
Following its opening win against North Dakota St., Maine starts a season 1-0 for the first time since it defeated Central Conn. St. 61-58 in 2009.
The Bulldogs return 12 letterwinners, including three starters, from a squad which went 12-18 a year ago and 8-10 in Northeast Conference action. Bryant is coming off its most successful season since joining the Division I ranks in 2008, Last season, its first of Division I postseason eligibility, the Bryant women's hoops squad reached the Northeast Conference tournament for the first time in program history. The Bulldogs' 8-10 mark in league play was good enough for eighth place in the NEC; the final spot in the conference tournament.
Bryant will look to get its leadership from senior forward Naana Ankoma-Mensa, one of three unanimous All-NEC preseason picks. A season ago, Ankoma-Mensa earned All-NEC second team accolades after averaging career-highs in points (12.9) and rebounds (13.0).
The Bulldogs enter the weekend with a pair of regular season contests under their belt; an 82-71 victory over Ameruca East foe Vermont to open the season and a 104-67 loss at Providence. The Bulldogs had four scorers in double-figures in their win over Vermont led by senior leadership in Courtney Schissler's 18 points and Jenniqua Bailey's 16. Fellow senior Naana Ankoma-Mensa chipped in 15 points while Stephanie Cardamone, also a senior, added 16 off the bench. Bryant was stellar from the field as it shot 55.8% including 50.0% from three-point range while going 28-for-38 from the free throw stripe. Bailey led the Bulldogs at Providence with 17 points while Ankoma-Mensa recorded a double double with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
The Black Bears are 1-2 all-time against Bryant, winning the inaugural contest 75-66 in 2010 but dropping the last two meetings. Anna Heise paced the Maine attacked last season at Bryant with 10 points and three rebounds while Milica Mitrovic came off the bench to contribute 12 points.
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