Women's Basketball Begins 2014-15 Campaign Friday Evening at Bryant
11/13/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
GAME NOTES | LIVE VIDEO | LIVE AUDIO | LIVE STATS | TWITTER
ORONO, Maine -- The 2014-15 University of Maine women's basketball team begins its season on Friday, Nov. 14 as it takes on Bryant at 7 PM at the Chace Athletic Center. Maine looks to start the year 1-0 for the second-straight season. The Black Bears enter the contest 29-21 all-time in season openers.
FOLLOW YOUR BLACK BEARS:
There are a number of ways to keep track of your Black Bears Friday night at Bryant:
Live Video - HERE
Live Audio - HERE or locally on 94.1 WGUY-FM/1340 WNZS-AM
Live Stats - HERE
In-game Twitter updates - HERE
Click HERE for a full break down and complete game notes, previewing the contest.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS
Maine was selected to finish fifth in this year's America East preseason coaches poll. The Black Bears return three of their top five scorers from a year ago in Liz Wood (12.6), Lauren Bodine (7.4) and Sophie Weckstrom (5.5). Wood finished last season ranked eighth in the league in scoring (12.6), seventh in rebounding (6.7) fourth in steals (2.1) and second on the team in assists (2.8). Bodine is Maine's long-range threat as she led the league in 3-point FG percentage a year ago (40.5) and ranked second in 3-point makes (66). Sigi Koizar, Sophie Weckstrom and Courtney Anderson will all see time at the point. Koizar and Weckstrom averaged 2.5 and 1.5 assists per game, respectively, a year ago while Anderson chipped in 1.1 assists and will provide leadership as Maine's lone senior.
Mikaela Gustafsson and Anna Heise will be Maine's go-to threats underneath. Gustafsson looks to build on a year in which she averaged 4.8 points and 3.5 rebounds while Heise posted a 77.4-percent mark from the free throw line.
Guard/foward combo Chantel Charles (4.5 ppg/2.7 rpg), forward Sheraton Jones (1.8 rpg) and Milica Mitrovic (18 GP) will provide significant depth to an already deep Maine roster.
SCOUTING BRYANT
The Bulldogs return two starters to their team which finished 17-15 overall and 11-7 in the Northeast Conference a year ago. In just their second season of Division-I postseason eligibility, Bryant set records for wins in a season (17) and finished a school-record best tied for third in the NEC while chalking up a record 11 league wins. The Bulldogs went on to make their first appearance in a national postseason tournament (WBI).
Senior point guard Jenniqua Bailey highlights the Bulldogs' returners as she averaged 13.4 points, 4.9 assists, 2.8 rebounds and 2.2 steals a season ago to earn All-NEC Second Team honors. Bailey is joined by returning junior Breanna Rucker. Rucker averaged 10.2 points per game, 7.9 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.0 steals in her sophomore year.
Bryant will be searching to replace its key losses as it lost 58% of its scoring offense to graduation.
The Bulldogs are led by head coach Mary Burke who enters her 24th season at the helm.
MAINE & BRYANT ALL-TIME SERIES
The Black Bears are 2-2 all-time against Bryant, winning the inaugural contest 75-66 in 2010, dropping the middle two meetings, before getting back on the winning track last season with a 75-65 victory. In last season's meeting, Maine faced an early deficit as it trailed 14-4 before mounting a 12-2 run to tie the game. Maine took a 37-34 advantage into the break before outscoring the Bulldogs 38-31 in the seconds half to secure the victory. Sigi Koizar paced the offense in the win as she netted a career-high 16 points with six rebounds.
Entering the contest, Anna Heise is averaging 10.5 points all-time against the Bulldogs. Look for preseason all-conference selection Liz Wood to snap out of her Bryant slump as she enters averaging just 1.0 point in two games against the Bulldogs.
PRESEASON WARMUPS
Maine completed its exhibition play at 2-0 with wins over McGill University (81-41) before defeating New Brunswick (80-34). The Black Bears showed just how exciting the team can be offensively as it averaged 80.5 points per game while dishing out 45 assists on 64 made field goals. Maine's defense was also strong in the preseason as the Black Bears gave up just 27 baskets in two games while forcing a total of 56 turnovers. Individually, preseason all-conference selection Liz Wood led the way in the preseason, averaging 15.0 points and 7.5 rebounds while point guard Sigi Koizar chipped in 10.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists.
SEASON OPENERS
Maine enters the meeting with Bryant at 29-21 all-time in season openers and will be looking to start the season 1-0 for the second-straight year after defeating North Dakota State in last year's opener 64-59.
Maine's last road opening win came in 2005 when it moved to 1-0 after a 70-35 win at Rider.
Dating back to 1985-86, Maine is just 1-9 when it begins the season on the road. However, Maine has faced stiff competition from the get-go as six of those road openers have came against teams from the ACC (3), SEC (2) and the A-10 (1).
Dating back to 1985-86, the Black Bears are 22-7 in home openers. Last season, Maine defeated North Dakota St. 64-59 on Nov. 14 in its first ever home game played at Cross Insurance Center. Maine finished 9-6 in its inaugural season at Cross Insurance Center.
FACING THE NEC
Maine is 20-8 all-time against members of the Northeast Conference. The Black Bears went 2-1 last season against the NEC, defeating Bryant and LIU before dropping a one-point decision at Sacred Heart.
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