University of Maine
Stony Brook
Defensive Effort Lifts Women's Hoops over Stony Brook
1/24/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
BANGOR, Maine -- Liz Wood poured in 20 points and added seven rebounds as the University of Maine women's basketball team defeated Stony Brook, 55-52, on Sunday afternoon. The win moves Maine into second place in the league, improving its America East record to 5-1, and remaining undefeated at home.
Maine's effort on the defensive end led the way in the win as it forced 20 turnovers, turning the Stony Brook mishaps into a 21-8 advantage on points off turnovers. On the offensive end, the Black Bears took care of the ball with just nine turnovers; its fourth time this season under double-digit turnovers in a game.
Wood, who posted 20+ points in her second-straight game, finished 8-for-12, hitting 3-of-5 from 3-point range while adding four steals and three assists. Lauren Bodine chipped in 10 points off the bench while Bella Swan finished with nine points and eight boards.
Maine, which assisted on 15 of 19 makes, struggled from the floor as it went 19-for-55 (34.5%). Stony Brook, which shot 50 percent in the opening half, ended 18-for-39 (46.2%).
The Black Bears fell behind by five early but battled back, taking their first lead of the contest 5:07 into the half on a 3-pointer by Sigi Koizar.
The game was tied at 16 after one quarter and featured back and forth action for the majority of the second until Stony Brook put together a 7-0 run to take a 30-25 lead. The Black Bears closed the half on a 4-0 run as a 3-pointer from Wood late sent them into the half trailing by one, 30-29.
Maine, which only totaled six points in the paint in the first half, began to work the ball down low in the second, outscoring Stony Brook 17-2 down low in the final half. The Black Bears snatched the lead on a layup by Swan before putting together a 12-5 run, including two big 3-pointers by Bodine, to carry a six point edge into the final quarter.
The Black Bears took their largest lead of the game after a pair of free throws early in the fourth by Bodine gave them a 47-37 advantage.
Stony Brook responded, putting together a 9-1 run, to close within a pair with 5:17 to play.
The Black Bears regrouped, building their lead back out to five by working down low as Bodine found Swan for a layup with 2:17 to play.
Stony Brook was able to close within a point late but Bodine's clutch free throws late gave Maine a 55-52 victory.
The Black Bears are back in action at home on Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. when it battles Hartford in a rematch of last season's America East semifinal.
-UMaine-
