University of Maine
Massachusetts
Women's Basketball Drops 68-60 Decision at UMass
11/19/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
AMHERST, Mass. -- Sigi Koizar (Vienna, Austria) and Mikaela Gustafsson (Sodertalje, Sweden) each tallied 12 points for the Black Bears but it would not be enough as the University of Maine women's basketball team (1-2) dropped a 68-60 decision at UMass (1-2) on Wednesday evening.
Gustafsson was efficient from the field, going 5-for-6 from the floor and knocking down a pair of 3-point attempts on her way to a 12 point night while Koizar totaled double-figured for the third-straight game.
UMass used a solid shooting night to build its lead as the Minutewomen were 24-for-42 (57.1-percent) from the floor while hitting 16-of-21 free throws. Maine struggled to find a rhythm on offense as it finished 23-for-59, including an 11-for-36 showing from beyond the arc. UMass held a significant advantage down low, outscoring Maine 34-16 in the paint.
The Black Bears got off to a hot start as they began the game on a 9-2 run to take an early seven point lead. Bella Swan (Farmington, Ut.) started the early Maine sprint with a jumper off a feed from Liz Wood (Catlett, Va.) before hitting a shot to cap a nine-straight point sprint.
UMass had an answer as they put an end to the Black Bears' momentum with an 19-4 run over the next six minutes to take a 21-9 lead at the midway point of the first half.
Sophie Weckstrom (Espoo, Finland) ended the Minutewomen run with a 3-pointer to cut the lead down to eight before a jumper from Koizar brought the Black Bears within four.
UMass ran its lead back out to seven late in the first half before Wood pulled down a defensive board and soon found Koizar for three, chopping the lead back down to four. The Minutewomen matched the three with one of their own to take a 32-25 lead into the break.
UMass started the second half strong, beginning with a 6-0 run to take a 38-25 advantage with just 1:31 off the clock.
Maine responded with a quick layup from Wood before Lauren Bodine's (Louisvilly, Ky.) 3-pointer brought the Black Bears within eight. UMass extended its lead back out to 13 before another three from Bodine cut the lead back down to 10.
The Minutewomen continued to pull away as a 6-0 run gave them their largest lead of the contest, 58-42, with 5:38 left in the second half.
Maine looked for a late comeback as a pair of free throws and a three from Chantel Charles (London, U.K.) spearheaded a 5-0 run, closing the lead down to 11.
The Black Bears finished strong, hitting a trio of 3-pointers to end the game on a 9-3 run but it would be too late as Maine fell to 1-2 with a 68-60 decision.
The Black Bears return home looking to go 2-0 at Cross Insurance Center when they host Sacred Heart on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 1 p.m.
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