University of Maine
Central Conn. St.
Second Half Surge Pushes Maine Past Central Connecticut St.
11/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ORONO, Maine -- The University of Maine women's basketball team outscored visiting Central Connecticut State 33-15 in the second half, allowing it to pull away and defeat the Blue Devils, 62-42.
Sigi Koizar, who has tallied double-digit scoring in every game this season, paced Maine's offense with 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting. Liz Wood posted her 18th career double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Liz's performance moved her into 12th on Maine's all-time scoring list (1,179), surpassing Heather Briggs. Mikaela Gustafsson added 11 points while Bella Swan chipped in 10, all in the second half.
Maine went 25-for-49 from the floor (51.0%) and hit 9-of-13 free throw attempts. The Black Bears forced 16 CCSU turnovers and outrebounded the Blue Devils 30-26.
The first half featured back-and-forth action with eight lead changes and six ties. Neither team led by more than five. With the Blue Devils leading 25-20 and 3:32 remaining in the half, Maine closed the second quarter on a 9-2 run to take a 29-27 lead into halftime.
A recharged Maine team came out in the second half as the Black Bears rallied off the third quarter's first eight points when Koizar's 3-pointer put Maine on top, 37-27.
Maine continued building its advantage, closing the third quarter on a 4-0 sprint, pushing its lead to 47-33 entering the final period.
Central Connecticut State cut the Black Bear lead to 12 with 8:22 remaining.
The Black Bears had the answer, ripping off an 11-3 run, starting on a triple from Lauren Bodine. The run extended Maine's lead to its largest of the game, 60-40. It would hold on, taking a 62-42 victory in the home opener.
Maine returns to action on Nov. 27 when it takes on Dayton in the opening round of the Gulf Coast Showcase in Estero, Fla.
-UMaine-
