University of Maine
New Hampshire
Women's Basketball Win Streak Snapped at New Hampshire
3/1/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.H. -- The University of Maine women's basketball team (22-7, 14-2) had its 14-game win streak snapped at New Hampshire as the Wildcats defeated Maine 61-47 in Sunday afternoon's regular season finale. Maine finishes as Co-Regular Season League Champions along with UAlbany.
The Black Bears struggled from the field as they shot 35.0 percent (21-for-60) and hit just five of 22 attempts from beyond the arc and missed their only free throw try.
Liz Wood (Catlett, Va.) led Maine's scoring attack with 19 points while Sigi Koizar (Vienna, Austria) added 13 points and five boards.
Maine showcased its top ranked defense early, holding the Wildcats scoreless over the opening 5:20 while taking a 6-0 lead out of the gate.
The Black Bears carried a 15-7 lead into the midway point of the first half before an 8-2 New Hampshire run knotted the game at 15-all with 8:20 to play in the half.
Wood gave the Black Bears a 21-19 lead at the 3:31 mark but Maine would not score again in the half. The Wildcats closed the opening half with a 9-0 run as they carried a 28-21 lead into the half.
Maine went 11-for-24 from the floor in the first half led by Wood's six points while Koizar added five points and four rebounds. New Hampshire took advantage of nine Black Bear turnovers, turning them into 13 points.
The Wildcats added to their lead early in the second half, building a nine point advantage with 15 minutes remaining.
Maine began to chip away as Mikaela Gustafsson (Sodertalje, Sweden) scored a tough layup while getting fouled underneath before a straight away three from Wood brought Maine within four with 13:10 left.
New Hampshire once again had an answer for the Maine charge as a 3-pointer from Kristen Anderson fueled a 9-2 run to give the Wildcats a 49-38 lead.
Maine closed back within eight on a fastbreak layup from Wood off a feed from Weckstrom on the break. The Wildcats refused to let Maine keep its momentum, answering with four-straight points to take a 12 point edge.
Maine failed to close the gap down the stretch as the win streak was snapped by the Wildcats who went on to take a 61-47 victory in the regular season finale.
Maine begins postseason action on Saturday, March 7 with America East quarterfinal action tipping off at noon against Binghamton.
-U-M-
