University of Maine
Bryant
Women's Basketball Doubles-Up Bryant, 76-38
12/12/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
ORONO, Maine -- Everything seemed to be clicking for the University of Maine women's basketball team (8-4) on Saturday afternoon as the Black Bears picked up their 10th straight home victory following a 76-38 rout of Bryant (2-7).
The 38 point victory is Maine's largest over a Division-I opponent since it defeated Drexel, 110-68 on March 5, 1997.
Maine shot 65.5% in the first half, finishing the game 33-for-57 (57.9%). It wasn't just the offense that was on par as Maine forced 25 Bryant turnovers and held the Bulldogs to a 1-for-16 mark from 3-point range and 27.7% (13-for-47) from the field. The 25 turnovers were the most forced by Maine since turning LIU-Brooklyn over 31 times on Nov. 26, 2014. It is the third time this season Maine has forced a team into 20+ turnovers.
Sigi Koizar led all scorers with 18 points while Liz Wood added 15 points, four rebounds and six steals. Wood's 15 points propelled her into ninth on Maine's all-time scoring list (1,250), passing former teammate Ashleigh Roberts for the spot. Sophie Weckstrom joined the duo in double-figures, with 10 points.
Maine, trailing 3:40 into the first quarter by one, poured on the offense early as it staged a 13-0 run, beginning with back-to-back buckets from Wood, to take a 20-6 lead with a minute left in the quarter.
The Black Bears continued to apply the pressure, resulting in a 14-4 run over a six minute, second quarter span, giving Maine its largest first half lead at 41-18. The Black Bears carried the 23-point edge into the half.
More of the same in the second half for Maine as defensive pressure turned into big buckets. Wood forced a steal in Bryant's opening possession of the third quarter, quickly moving the ball up court before Koizar knocked down a three. The make was the start of an 11-3 run that swelled Maine's lead out to 31 with 4:07 left in the third.
Millica Mitrovic stamped her name in the scorer's column with a fourth quarter 3-pointer before back-to-back layups by Isabel Hernandez Pepe gave the Black Bears their largest lead of the game at 76-34 (42), with 2:34 to play.
Maine held on for its 10th straight home victory, winning by a score of 76-38.
The Black Bears remain home for their next contest when they welcome Clemson of the ACC to Cross Insurance Center on Friday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m. For tickets, please visit GoBlackBears.com, Ticketmaster.com or the Cross Insurance Center box office.
-UMaine-
