Women's Basketball Looks for First Road Win Wednesday at Central. Conn. St.
12/2/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
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ORONO, Maine -- Maine looks for its third-straight win, and first on the road, when it travels to take on Central Connecticut State on Wednesday evening. Maine is 12-5 all-time against the Blue Devils but will be looking for its first win at CCSU since 1993.
A LOOK AT THE BLACK BEARS
Maine looks for its third-straight win as it has a chance to win their first game on the road after defeating Boston College 69-64 in OT last time out. Sophomore guard Sigi Koizar led Maine's offensive attack as she tied her career-high with 22 points, hitting 8 out of 12 chances from the field, while adding eight rebounds in the win. Liz Wood, reigning America East Co-Player of the Week, added 16 points to give her double-figures in two-straight games.
Sophomore guard Sigi Koizar paces Maine's scoring attack as she is averaging 14.8 points per game. Liz Wood (13.8 points per game) leads the team in rebounding (5.2), assists (3.3) and steals (2.2), while shooting 49.3-percent from the floor and 34.8-percent from 3-point range. Koizar is adding 4.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and a 50-percent mark from the floor. Heise is averaging 12 points in her last three games and has raised her season average up to 6.0 while shooting 48.1-percent from the field. Lauren Bodine is averaging 5.5 points per game, she has a team leading 11 3-point field goals made. Sophie Weckstrom is chipping in 5.3 points and is perfect from the free throw line. Mikaela Gustafsson is averaging 4.5 points and 2.5 rebounds while junior Bella Swan is adding 3.7 rebounds.
SCOUTING CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE
The Blue Devils enter riding a three game winning streak after losing at Siena. Most recently, Central Connecticut defeated New Hampshire 64-58. The Blue Devils, who led by as many as 14, held off a second half surge from the Wildcats. Kayla Miller lead the Blue Devil scoring against New Hampshire with 20 points while Amanda Harrington added 12. Junior forward Tejahne Malone chipped in seven points and six rebounds. Kayla Miller paces the Blue Devils' offense with a 10.5 points per game mark to go along with 5.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist and a 46.2-percent mark (24-for-52) from the field. Nicole Ferguson is adding 9.0 points with 4.5 rebounds. Kaley Watras is chipping in 8.7 points to go along with a team leading 4.0 assists and 2.7 steals. Aleah Epps is adding 8.5 points. Central Connecticut is averaging 68.8 points per game while shooting 41.6-percent from the floor, 35.6-percent from beyond the arc and 56.7-percent from the free throw line. The Blue Devils average 41.7 rebounds and 14.0 assists.
MAINE & CENTRAL CONN. ST. ALL-TIME SERIES
This will be the 18th overall meeting between Maine and Central Connecticut State. The Black Bears own the all-time record at 12-5 but CCSU currently rides a two-game winning streak in the series. Maine's last victory came on Nov. 13, 2009 when it defeated the Blue Devils 61-58. The last three meetings in the series have been separated by just 13 total points. Maine has not won at CCSU since it took a 79-52 decision in 1993. Richard Barron's first ever game as head coach of Maine was at CCSU in 2011 - a game won by the Blue Devils 53-48.
GETTING FAMILIAR WITH THE NEC...
Today's contest will be Maine's fourth this season against Northeast Conference member schools. Maine opened with a 65-52 at loss at Bryant before defeating LIU-Brooklyn in overtime 65-59 last Sunday. The Black Bears enter the contest with CCSU 21-10 all-time against NEC schools. Maine went 2-1 last season against the NEC as it defeated both Bryant and LIU-Brooklyn before dropping a one point decision at Sacred Heart.
THANKSGIVING MVP AND HONORS
The Black Bears received several on-court honors following their Thanksgiving tournament. Maine, who won the tournament for the first time since 2006 when it defeated Boston College 69-64 in overtime, received two All-Tournament nods, an MVP honor and league Co-Player of the Week. Sigi Koizar (14.0 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 3.0 apg) and Anna Heise (9.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg) each were named to the All-Tournament team. Liz Wood was named tournament MVP and America East Co-Player of the week. Wood averaged 20.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists including pouring in a career-high 25 points in the win over Brown.
CROSS CENTER HOME COOKING
The Black Bears are enjoying home success this season as they are 3-1 at the Cross Center. Maine is averaging 62.5 points at home compared to 56.0 on the road. The Black Bears are shooting 39.4% from the field and 30.1% from beyond the arc at home and 38.6% from the floor and 25.9% from 3-point range on the road.
FORCING MISTAKES
The Black Bears pride themselves on their defensive efforts as of late. Maine leads the league with a +2.5 turnover margin as they've forced opponents to turn the ball over 133 times in the first six games; a 22.2 average per game.
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